The NBA title odds have undergone a seismic shift since Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday landed with the Boston Celtics.
The guards switching teams shook things up, with Boston and Milwaukee tied as the NBA title favorites at +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total).
The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns are considered the best teams in the Western Conference, as they each sit at +550 to win the title.
RELATED: It’s title or bust for Nuggets, Bucks, Celtics, Suns
The San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery and selected potential franchise player Victor Wembanyama, but the Spurs are tied with seven other teams for the longest odds at +50000.
FOX Sports NBA Analyst Ric Bucher gives his prediction for the NBA Finals, and he predicts the co-favorite Celtics or Bucks won’t claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Let’s take a look at the title odds for every team in the league, as the regular season opens Tuesday.
CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS FOR 2023-24 NBA SEASON*:
Boston Celtics: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Denver Nuggets: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Phoenix Suns: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Golden State Warriors: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +2400 (bet $10 to win $250 total)
Memphis Grizzlies: +2400 (bet $10 to win $250 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
LA Clippers: +2700 (bet $10 to win $280 total)
Philadelphia 76ers: +2700 (bet $10 to win $280 total)
Miami Heat: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
New Orleans Pelicans +4200 (bet $10 to win $430 total)
New York Knicks: +4600 (bet $10 to win $470 total)
Sacramento Kings: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Oklahoma City Thunder: +8500 (bet $10 to win $860 total)
Chicago Bulls: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Atlanta Hawks: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Toronto Raptors: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Indiana Pacers: +26000 (bet $10 to win $2,610 total)
Portland Trail Blazers: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Washington Wizards: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Charlotte Hornets: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Utah Jazz: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Orlando Magic: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010)
San Antonio Spurs: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Houston Rockets: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Detroit Pistons: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
* Odds as of 10/22/2023
Pick by FOX Sports NBA Analyst Ric Bucher:
“Yes, the Nuggets lost a couple of key contributors in Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, but they also have a core that is in its prime, signed through next season — meaning no personal contract agendas — and is now bolstered by the collective understanding of exactly what it takes to win it all. That puts them on par with the current nuclei in Golden State and Milwaukee.
“The difference? Those teams are exiting their prime. The Nuggets are entering it. Oh, and they have a 7-foot riddle, Nikola Jokić, for which no one in the league appears to have the answer.”
Long shot to make playoffs
“The Thunder are currently the 11th-best team in the Western Conference, based on their odds to win the conference title. That almost certainly won’t be where they are at season’s end. I would count on them being one of the eight playoff contestants, even if it requires coming in through the Play-In Tournament.
“The depth and versatility of their roster, led by All-Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, defensive stopper Lu Dort, Inspector Gadget Chet Holmgren and crafty Josh Giddey, might be one of the league’s best-kept secrets.”
PICK: Thunder (+8500, bet $10 to win $860 total) to make playoffs
PICK: Celtics-Nuggets reach NBA Finals (+900, bet $10 to win $100 total)
PICK: Nuggets to win NBA title (+550, bet $10 to win $65 total)
So, are you throwing some cash on the Bucks or Celtics to win it all? Or, do you like Bucher’s picks of the defending champion Nuggets?
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