Race tightens atop NBA futures odds at Coral

The Rockets, who have now lost five of six ATS, will hit the floor in Game 5 as 66/1 longshots in NBA futures betting at Coral.

Rounding up the top three in NBA championship betting are the Cavaliers, with 7/2 odds.

Cleveland faced little resistance during their first-round sweep of the Boston Celtics, also claiming three ATS win, but saw their betting odds impacted with the loss of Kevin Love to season-ending injury and the prospect of facing the red-hot Chicago Bulls in the second round.

Tied at two games apiece, this Cavs/Bulls series has been a nailbiter, featuring game-winning buzzer-beaters in Games 3 and 4 by former MVPs Derrick Rose and LeBron James.

The Cavs get the nod as 5.5-point home favourites in Game 5 on Tuesday night, and remain strong 4/9 series betting favourites at Coral, while the Bulls are pegged as 7/4 underdogs.

However, Chicago is a solid 8-4 SU in their last 12 at Quicken Loans Arena, and a very attractive 9/1 to win their first NBA championship since the Michael Jordan era.

The Atlanta Hawks sit just ahead of the Bulls at 8/1.

Atlanta led the East with 60 wins and led the middle of the pack at the start of the NBA Playoffs with 12/1 odds. The Hawks are currently deadlocked 2-2 in their series with the Washington Wizards, with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday night.

They have struggled on the road, however, winning just two of their last seven SU, tempering their championship odds ahead of a potential Conference final matchup with Cleveland or Chicago.

The Wizards have been heroic in keeping pace with the Hawks, despite the loss of point guard John Wall to hand and wrist injuries. But, with the necessity to win at least one more game in Atlanta, Washington now joins the Grizzlies as 66/1 betting longshots.