As new look NBA playoffs loom, US sportsbooks offer bettors great promos

In the history of the NBA Playoffs, we have never seen a postseason like the one we are about to embark on in 2021.

The new play-in tournament, which is slated to start on May 18, could see sports books rake in the bets as high profile teams look likely to be included, could shake up the way playoffs are contested in the future.

The set up is this: in each conference (Eastern and Western), there will be three games to decide the final two seeds. The seventh place team will play the eighth place team, with the winner of that contest moving into the playoffs as the seventh seed. The ninth and 10th place teams are going to play, with the loser out, and the winner moving on to face the loser of the other game. (seventh/eighth). Then, there is one game for all the marbles, with the winner moving on to the eighth seed in the playoffs, which start on May 22.

Right now, the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who are also the current second favorite to win the title at odds of +450 with sports books, and a +225 favorite to win the Western Conference, look set to be in that playoff. The Lakers are currently the seventh seed, and might have to face red-hot Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the seven-eight game.

Could this have an effect on the futures odds over the next week? 

It just might, although the Lakers are a national team, and will be backed no matter where they are seeded.

Most sportsbooks will have deals for the NBA Playoffs, as well as the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will start right around the same time as the basketball.

Here is a list of some books that should have bonus offers, with codes to get even more value for your money.