NBA second-half betting guide: The best bets to make on awards, futures - ESPN

As the NBA returns from the All-Star break, everything starts to ramp up with most teams having fewer than 30 games left to play in the regular season. So what are the best bets to make, both on the player award races and the team futures bets?

Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Steve Alexander and Jim McCormick offer up the picks that are worth strongly considering before the games resume.

Odds courtesy of ESPN BET Sportsbook

Los Angeles Lakers to win Western Conference (+700)

With their trade for Luka Doncic, the Lakers join the Thunder and Nuggets as the third Western Conference team that could separate itself from the pack. Doncic and LeBron James give the Lakers two of the top offense creators in the NBA, and this means we can expect maximized production from the other Lakers, including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. While the Lakers have question marks in the middle, they mitigate that by starting a lineup featuring four players with power forward size (including LeBron and Luka) who can help them remain strong on the glass even when they play small ball. Dangerous team, and worth consideration at relative long-shot odds. — Snellings

Orlando Magic to win the Southeast Division (-105)

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are back for the Magic after an injury-filled start to the season. They're 4-6 in their past 10, and the remaining 26 games are crucial. Orlando doesn't have a reputation as an offensive powerhouse, but the Magic rank third in defensive rating this season, which is key with one of the easiest remaining schedules. I like their chances to lock down the Southwest Division. — Moody

I'm riding with Moody on this one. The Magic have the seventh-easiest schedule that includes three more meetings