The NBA is almost back. It’s early October, and we’ve got just a few more weeks to go. That means it’s time to lock in your NBA futures bets! Our staff is here with their how to bet on NBA player props!
NBA Expert Picks: Odds & Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Championship
NBA Expert Picks: Odds & Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Championship
2024-25 NBA Championship Odds
2024-25 NBA Championship Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Boston Celtics: +310
Oklahoma City Thunder: +700
New York Knicks: +800
Philadelphia 76ers: +900
Denver Nuggets: +950
Minnesota Timberwolves: +1000
Dallas Mavericks: +1000
Milwaukee Bucks: +1400
Los Angeles Lakers: +3000
Phoenix Suns: +3000
Golden State Warriors: +3500
NBA Expert Picks: 2024-25 NBA Championship Prediction
NBA Expert Pick: Denver Nuggets: 11-1 at FanDuel
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After cruising to a championship in the 2022-23 season, the Denver Nuggets fell short of repeating last year, losing in seven games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Semifinals.
Despite finishing second in the Western Conference and showing flashes of their previous dominance, signs of a championship hangover were apparent. This season, the Nuggets won’t face the same complacency and should enter more focused, and with a chip on their shoulder from the early playoff exit.
The Nuggets return nearly the same roster, with the notable addition of veteran guard Russell Westbrook. Say what you will about Westbrook, but he’ll bring an extra gear off the bench for a team that lacked depth last year.
Denver ranked 4th in efficiency differential last season, landing in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive points per 100 possessions and effective field goal percentage. I expect similar, if not better, numbers this year.
They’re being overlooked in betting markets, likely due to last season’s disappointing finish and a quiet offseason. But make no mistake – this team remains elite and is led by the league’s best player, Nikola Jokic. They will finish as a top seed in the West again, and the current double-digit price won’t last when postseason time rolls around. Grab the value now while you can.
NBA Expert Pick: Denver Nuggets 11-1 at FanDuel
NBA Expert Pick: Boston Celtics: 7-2 at Caesars
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Sometimes the best bets are the most boring. The 2023-24 Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals with minimal resistance, and a similar outcome appears likely given the structure of the Western and Eastern Conferences.
The Eastern Conference got a bit trickier this offseason with the Philadelphia 76ers adding Paul George and the New York Knicks swapping Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Bucks getting a healthy Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo is big, too.
Two things elevate the Celtics over their conference rivals: depth and durability. The 76ers and Bucks are top-heavy teams that require massive output from their point guards and centers. Aside from one aging veteran wing (Khris Middleton and Paul George), both teams will rely on role players the rest of the way down.
The Knicks are a bit trickier. I’m bullish on all of their players — I’m just not sure I trust head coach Tom Thibodeau to leave his guys with any gas in the tank late in the year. We saw the consequences of his aggressive coaching style last year, with Brunson injured late and Randle missing most of the year.
No team has the combination of depth and durability that Boston does. While betting on them to win the NBA Finals won’t make you a ton of money, getting your action down early may prove sharp, especially if any of their Eastern Conference rivals suffer injuries, which would be more impactful for them than for Boston.
NBA Expert Pick: Boston Celtics 7-2 at Caesars
