2023-24 NBA Finals picks: Best bets, predictions and sleeper
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The 2023-24 NBA season is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to submit our picks for best NBA Finals bets in each conference.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to win last year’s title, but Damian Lillard’s move to the Milwaukee Bucks has thrown a wrench into preseason betting odds.
Here are the two teams we’re looking at in each conference that could win it all, plus a long-shot pick.
NBA Finals 2023-24 odds: Milwaukee Bucks to win NBA Finals (+380 or better)
“Freak Time” is about to become the best duo in the NBA since Shaq and Kobe.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is being disrespected and forgotten about after his team was bounced in the first round of the playoffs just a year after he dropped 50 points and 14 rebounds in a closeout game to win the NBA Finals.
Lillard, his new teammate, will create more space than Giannis has ever known since he became a superstar and can supply an extra 30 points per night with ease.
He's is the best late-game shot-maker in the league and is also a better defender than he is credited as, which will help lessen the impact of losing Jrue Holiday.
The Bucks are experienced and have continuity with their core. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis both provide great energy and rim protection, Khris Middleton is a 20 PPG scorer, and guys like Cameron Payne and Jae Crowder are nice rotational pieces.
NBA Finals 2023-24 odds: Los Angeles Lakers to win NBA Finals (+1300 or better)
The Lakers completely turned their season around at the trade deadline last year and stormed into the playoffs, ultimately reaching the conference finals before they were swept by the Denver Nuggets.
This year’s roster could arguably contend for a top-four seed in the West even without LeBron James, who just averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in his 20th season.
The Lakers are more balanced than the other top contenders in the West. They have shooting, slashing, playmaking, interior, perimeter defenders and tremendous size.
Their main concern is health since Anthony Davis is as injury-prone as they come and LeBron has become more brittle in the later years of his career.
The Nuggets are the defending champions but have no depth, and the Suns have unbelievable scoring potential but no real defenders or facilitators.
If the Lakers can keep Davis and LeBron relatively well-rested during the regular season, they showed last postseason they can still hit elite levels.
NBA Finals odds: Bet the Los Angeles Clippers as a long shot (+2700 or better)
The Clippers were supposed to win the title a few seasons ago and have been dwindling ever since. But the reality is that they’re one healthy season (however unlikely that is) away from being a top contender.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are still a top pairing, and they have tons of versatile wings that are invaluable in the modern NBA.
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Grant is a Virginia-based writer for Catena Media who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021 with a degree in sports media & analytics. He has contributed to well-known publications such as Forbes, and appeared on the VSiN TV network. You can keep up with Grant's work here or by checking out his YouTube channel "The Sitch With Grant Mitchell.”
