NBA Draft odds and props to bet in Massachusetts

Sports Betting Dime provides exclusive sports betting content to MassLive.com, including real-time odds, picks, analysis and sportsbook offers to help sports fans get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.

The 2023 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 22nd, and sportsbooks in Massachusetts are joining in on the fun by offering a wide variety of prop bets for the nationally televised event.

The NBA Draft odds suggest that 19-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama is a virtual lock to be the first overall selection, but there are a wide variety of other props available, including over/unders for player draft positions.

The NBA Draft starts at 8 p.m. ET from the Barclays Center in New York and will air on both ABC and ESPN. We’ve identified a few of our favorite props to bet for the anticipated event.

NBA Draft Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook on June 21, 2023.

In the odds to be a top-five NBA draft pick, consensus projected 1-2 picks Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson aren’t available to be wagered on. Brandon Miller and Amen Thompson are both heavily favored to be selected in the top-five, but there are several other players in the mix for that last spot.

STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. First-time depositors only who have not already redeemed $200 in bonus bets via OH or MA prelaunch offer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. $200 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at http://draftkings.com/ma.

Most NBA Mock Drafts have Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller making up the top-three this year, but it gets interesting after that. The projected top-five has consistently been changing, and we see value in a UFC Knights player making the cut.

The Pistons select fifth overall on Thursday, and 6′8″ power forward Taylor Hendricks has reportedly impressed the Detroit coaching staff with his shooting. There’s speculation he could make an immediate impact in Motor City playing alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

Detroit has suffered four straight losing seasons and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2008. A primary reason for their struggles is defense, which is an area Hendricks excels in. With a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Hendricks offers unique versatility due to his ability to defend multiple positions.

Hendrick’s current +1000 betting odds of being drafted inside the top-five imply there is only a 9.09% chance it happens. Given his ability to play anywhere on the court defensively and superb 39.4 3-point shooting % in his lone collegiate season, Hendricks is worth at least a sprinkle.

DraftKings is also offering +2000 odds on Hendricks being the fifth overall selection. The UCF star is an athletic forward who would fit the Pistons’ needs as a shooter and defender on the wing. Some “experts” might not have Detroit going in that direction at fifth, but those odds shouldn’t be as long as +2000.

Pick: Taylor Hendricks to be Top 5 Pick (+1000)

STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org.

NBA Draft Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook on June 21, 2023.

The odds for Dereck Lively’s draft position imply that there is a 71% chance the center won’t be selected until at least the 11th pick.

In addition to our Taylor Hendricks prop bet recommendation, we also like betting on another top prospect who may be getting undervalued by the betting market. Duke Blue Devils center Dereck Lively, who was the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, carries some of the biggest upside in this year’s draft.

During his freshman season, Lively averaged 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes. The 7′1″ center possesses elite-level blocking ability and is an excellent rim protector. He needs to grow into his slender frame, but he has the upside of a top-three defender in this draft.

Lively has been steadily rising up the draft boards following an impressive showing at his pro day with Klutch Sports. Some of the latest NBA mock drafts have him being taken 10th overall by the Dallas Mavericks. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Lively has garnered a perception from multiple teams as having “true Tyson Chandler potential.”

The Golden State Warriors are also reportedly targeting Lively and trying to move up to at least the No. 10 spot to draft him. If Dallas still opts to keep the pick, the team could rely on Lively for his rim protection and lengthy 7-foot-7 wingspan, with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic carrying the main offensive load.

Lively had an underwhelming past season based on stats, but he was also underutilized, so we expect there will be a team that looks at the bigger picture and drafts him inside the top 10. His odds for being taken under 10.5 are currently offered at +175, so we recommend locking in this bet before a potential odds shift.

Pick: Dereck Lively Under 10.5 (+175)

21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org to speak with a trained specialist to receive support. Specialists are available 24/7. Services are available in multiple languages and are free and confidential.