By Darren Cooper
DraftKings Illinois customers can ride their team all the way to the NBA Finals and score the rewards.
With the NBA set to resume action Thursday after the All-Star break, the Illinois sports betting leader has offered a novel promotion on your choice to win the Larry O’Brien trophy as NBA champs.
Just bet at least $25 on a team to win the NBA title and immediately earn a $10 bonus bet to play on an NBA Single Game Parlay the next day.
- Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10 Times
- Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
- 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Use Promo Code: PLAYILDYW
Then cheer that team on.
For every W your title choice picks up you earn money towards a bonus bet. If you wager between $25-49.99, you get a dollar for every regular season win from here on out. If you put up $50-99.99, it becomes two bucks for every win. Wager $100 and you earn $5 for every victory.
You must place your NBA championship winner bet by Feb. 28. Only one bet is allowed per player. The credit for your teams’ wins will be put in your account on April 11. That bet must be used on NBA events only.
Who’s the title favorite?
DraftKings lists the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns as the favorite to win the NBA title. The Suns are 48-10 and winners of seven in a row. They are +380 to win their first NBA title.
Here are the full odds, where the Bulls are lower than one might expect based on them leading the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break:
What’s up with the Bulls?
After going 31-41 last season, Coach Billy Donovan’s Bulls have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA, entering the All-Star break 38-21. They are leading the Central Division and are tied for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat.
The Bulls return to action Thursday night at home against the Atlanta Hawks. DraftKings has installed the Bulls as 3.5-point favorites and the over/under at 234.5.
Bulls All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan has been one of the best players in the NBA and in his last seven games before the All-Star break has averaged 33.4 points, leading the Bulls to five straight wins. DeRozan has crept up the DraftKings NBA MVP board. He is the seventh choice to win the honor at +2,200.
DeRozan had 10 points for victorious Team LeBron in the All-Star Game in Cleveland on Sunday. Zach LaVine, the Bulls other All-Star, played 11 minutes for Team Durant and scored 12 points.
The Bulls have 23 games left in the regular season, 10 at the United Center. They will play the Miami Heat twice, which could be key down the stretch.
Online registration is almost back
Starting March 5, Illinois will finally have online registration for the DraftKings Sportsbook, just in time to bet on a Bulls Playoff run and March Madness. While there is still a little bit of time remaining, you can still download the app now so that you’re ready to start placing bets come March 5.
