With the NBA playoffs in a bit of a logjam, especially in the Western Conference where a number of teams are fighting for home-court advantage and higher seeds, bettors will be hearing plenty about "must-win" games.
Teams that need to win are a bit of two-edged sword, as backers of the team know they will get its best effort, while oddsmakers will make bettors pay a little bit in terms of shading the point spread a bit, realizing that bettors are more likely to bet on the team that needs to win.
While "must-win" games are normally reserved for teams fighting for playoff spots, the same factors do come into play for teams fighting for home-court advantage and a higher seed, especially those teams trying to avoid a first-round match-up with the likes of the Lakers, Cavs, or Celtics.
Read Betting Must Win Games in the Experienced Bettors Only section of the site.
Photo: Steve Blake and the Portland Trail Blazers are in contention for a top seed in the West. (Photo by Doug Pensigner /Getty Images)
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