5 Best Bets to Win 2018-19 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
We may be entering a new era of Sixth Man of the Year award winners. Both Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams have won twice each in the last five seasons, with Eric Gordon’s 2017 season the other winner.
But Crawford remains unsigned, Williams put up historic numbers to win last season and will likely start, and Carmelo Anthony’s arrival in Houston could mean a smaller role for Gordon. So who might take home the crown? NBA betting fans should consider these five:
Dennis Schroder, Thunder
The best sixth men are the ones who otherwise would be starting but find themselves on too talented a roster. That’s Schroder, who wasn’t part of a rebuilding Hawks team and wound up in Oklahoma City after the Thunder dumped Carmelo Anthony.
He’s firmly behind Russell Westbrook – who admittedly is a usage and minutes monster – but this is a point guard who last year averaged 19.4 points and 6.2 assists. Only seven players did that last year, and the other six (Harden, LeBron, Lillard, Westbrook, Curry, Wall) were All-Stars.
Schroder now enters a Thunder team that was 29th in bench scoring last season; part of that is how good their starting lineup is, but part of it is that is their lack of scoring punch. Schroder is able to score in a variety of ways and is an apt passer. That’ll play in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
If Schroder gets enough minutes – and he should be able to play alongside Westbrook at times – he’ll be in contention all year. His +550 odds are a solid play.
Tyreke Evans, Pacers
Injuries limited him to 52 games – and that was the most he’s played in three seasons – but Evans was spectacular for a tanking Grizzlies team last year. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists (others in the 19-5-5 club were Harden, LeBron, Durant, Westbrook, Curry, Griffin and Cousins).
His impressive play wound up pushing him into the starting lineup and out of any conversation for Sixth Man of the Year. That’s fine by him, because he earned a massive payday out of it with the Pacers. He’ll play behind Victor Oladipo on a Pacers bench that ranked 22nd in points per game last season.
If Evans can come even close to his shooting averages from a year ago (45.2% from the field, 39.9% from deep) it’ll produce another successful season. And now he gets to play in the much easier Eastern Conference for the first time in his career.
We really like his +600 odds.
Jaylen Brown, Celtics
Jaylen Brown started all 70 games he appeared in last season, asked to take on a much larger role in the wake of Gordon Hayward’s opening night injury.
He was good in the regular season, and great in the postseason. He averaged 18.0 points on 46 percent shooting (the last players 21 or under to do that were teammate Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Luol Deng and LeBron James). But he’ll move back to the bench this season behind Hayward and Tatum.
It’s a good time to be a Celtics fan, because both Brown and fellow bench mate Terry Rozier are more than capable of taking over a game. We like Brown to do just that on the wing. He should be the leading scorer on the second unit, and that matters greatly in Sixth Man voting.
It’s rare that players as young as Brown win the Sixth Man award, but he’s already a household name after last year’s showing. If he can stand out on a Celtics roster loaded with talent he’s got a real shot to win it, making his +1500 odds excellent value.
Lou Williams, Clippers
Of course we have to mention the favorite. It’s not a question of whether Williams is capable of winning the award for a record-tying third time. He’s also the reigning champ, and at just 31 years old appears to be entering his prime.
The issue is that the Clippers aren’t going to be very good, and they really can’t afford to bring Williams off the bench for any reason other than semantics. The other two shooting guards on the roster are second-round pick Sindarius Thornwell and rookie Jerome Robinson. Not exactly Michael Jordan and Jerry West.
So while we do like his odds at +225, we wonder if he’ll even be eligible for the award. Take caution when betting him. He’ll play starters minutes again like he did last year, but he might be in the lineup, too.
Bobby Portis, Bulls
A forward hasn’t won this award since Lamar Odom in 2011, and before that a forward hadn’t won since Corliss Williamson in 2002. So maybe we’re due?
If we are, Chicago’s Bobby Portis could be a sneaky pick. He only averaged 22.0 minutes last season but did serious work in that time; his per-36 minute numbers were on par with Kevin Love and DeMarcus Cousins.
He’s playing in the easier East, and maybe most importantly is on a contract year. There’s incentive here for him to come out firing, which is what he does best. It’s a longshot, but at +3400 you could do a lot worse.
Related: Check out Bet365 Sportsbook For Free Bets and Welcome Bonus.
Recommended Betting Sites
- Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. T&Cs Apply.Boosted Bets from ESPN Personalities such as Scott Van Pelt, Mike Greenberg, and Elle Duncan.Earn Rewards Through PENN Play Loyalty Program.Variety of Promotions including Overtime & Buzzer Beater Protection.GAMBLINGPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available8Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesESPN BET, powered by Penn Interactive, looks to become one of the top sportsbooks in the United States. A clean interface, multiple payment methods, and a plethora of promotions is what sets ESPN BET from other brands.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700, CT (888) 789-7777, IA 1-800-BETS-OFF, MA (800)-327-5050, VA 1-888-532-3500Fanatics Sportsbook Discover Simplifies Your Betting ExperienceFanCash Feature Delivers Increase Value With Unique RewardsIndustry-Leading Search Functionality Availablenot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available9Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesFanatics Sportsbook, in partnership with Genius Sports, launched BetVision, a unique live betting and streaming product for football games within their app.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Only US Sportsbook with NFL StreamingCaesars Rewards Redeemable at Ceasars LocationsImproved Odds for NY Mets & Chicago White SoxGAMBLING1000Promo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available14Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBacked by Caesars Entertainment, the sportsbook provides real-life loyalty rewards for bettors bringing the Las Vegas feel to you. Between Live Streaming, Generous Welcome Offer, & Daily Boosted Parlays, you'll find yourself very busy on the Caesars Sportsbook App.
- Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.Brand Ambassadors such as Jamie FoxxMGM Rewards Redeemable at MGM ResortsOfficial Partner of NY Knicks, Rangers & DevilsGAMBLINGCOMPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available11Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBetMGM is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the US. Brand offers a broad variety of sports betting markets. It's M rewards program is uniquely rewarding.
- 5Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- 6Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.
- Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, IN, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH, TN, VA)Hard Rock Rewards Redeemable in Cafes & CasinosMobile App Uses Accertify for SecuritySupports Payments with Nuveinot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available10Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesHard Rock Sportsbook partners with American Express Accertify to protect its mobile users from fraud. The world renowned brand features a comprehensive selection of sports.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&C apply.Bet on Same Game Parlays to Receive Free BetsBacked by Rush Street Gaming, Founded in the 90s20% MLB Profit Every TuesdayGAMBLINGPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available9Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBetRivers provides a wide range of free bet promotions for major league sports. Also offers the iRush Rewards program.
- Must be 21+ and in a legal betting state to participate. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLEROfficial Live Streaming of MLB GamesFree-To-Play Prize Pool GamesOfficial Partner of the NBA, Including NBABet Streamnot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available19Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferNoDraftKings is one of the biggest US sportsbook brands. Also provides Daily Fantasy Sports, an online casino, and NFT marketplace.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.'Operator of the Year' 2021MLB Same Game Parlay $20 RefundsOfficial Partner of the NFL, NBA, NHL, & MLBnot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available18Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesFanDuel is one of the biggest sportsbook operators in the US. Backed by Flutter Entertainment, one of the biggest gambling operators globally.
Be first to get our exclusive sports offers!
Join today to stay up to date on your states gambling news and offers.