With the NFL season hitting the halfway point and the NBA season in full swing, now is the perfect time to scan the futures markets and add some valuable bets to our portfolio. Let's take a look at two markets we think are vulnerable and try to beat the favorites with a few longer shots.
NBA/NFL futures check-in
Jalen Green to win Most Improved Player (+1500 FanDuel)
Ladies and gentlemen, Green has officially arrived. After three inconsistent, inefficient seasons to start his career, the Houston Rockets guard is finally starting to realize his potential in the NBA.
Green is averaging 28.8 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting and 41.3 percent from three. All three are career-high marks for the former No. 2 overall pick. Green averaged only 19.6 points per game and shot 33.2 percent from deep last season.
This is a completely different player than the one we've watched for three years. Green will be an All-Star if he keeps up this pace.
Jonathan Gannon to win Coach of the Year (+2200 DraftKings)
If you read our futures check-in after Week 3, you're sitting on Dan Quinn to win Coach of the Year at +2300 with us. Quinn is now the +220 favorite to win the award, so we're loving how that position has aged. It also frees us up to add another longer shot down the board.
Gannon entered the season as one of the favorites to win Coach of the Year, but his odds shot up after the Arizona Cardinals got off to a 2-4 start. Well, the Cardinals have won two straight games to get back to .500, and they're tied for the NFC West lead with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Arizona also has the second-easiest schedule in the NFL the rest of the way.
Remember, this is a team that won only four games last year. If Arizona can make a run at nine or 10 wins and a division title, Gannon will be a strong candidate to win COY.
In the news ...
Freddie Freeman homers again as Dodgers take 3-0 World Series lead — The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees, 4-2, in Game 3 of the World Series to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Freeman opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Walker Buehler was lights out in five scoreless innings before the bullpen closed the door. Freeman has homered in five straight World Series games, and he's now a massive -1800 favorite to win World Series MVP.
Steelers survive against Giants to take slim AFC North lead — The Pittsburgh Steelers took down the New York Giants, 26-18, on "Monday Night Football" to improve to 6-2 and jump the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. Russell Wilson threw for 278 yards and a touchdown, Najee Harris rushed for 114 yards and the defense forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Pittsburgh is +180 to win the AFC North, while the Ravens are still -165 favorites to take the division.
Paolo Banchero drops 50 on Pacers, nearly records triple-double — We have our first 50-point game of the NBA season, but it didn't come from one of the usual suspects. Banchero dropped a career-high 50 points and added 13 rebounds and nine assists in a 119-115 win against the Indiana Pacers. The Orlando Magic forward poured in 37 points in the first half. If you think Banchero can keep this up, you can bet him at +4000 to win MVP.
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