2023 NBA Eastern Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets
The dog days of the off-season are finally coming to a close. The NBA Pre-season tipped off today with the Timberwolves besting Mavericks in Abu Dhabi.
With less than three weeks till the official tip-off of the 2023 NBA Season, let’s take a look at this revamped Eastern Conference.
Divisional Odds Breakdown & Best Bets
The NBA is made up of six divisions, that are split into two conferences; the East and the West.
Today we’re going to talk about the Eastern Conference and give you a quick breakdown of the divisions and our divisional best bets.
The Atlantic Division
Lots of chalk in the Atlantic, with Boston the favorites to win the division at (-220). No surprise there with the C’s being a top two favorite to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Celtics’ are coming off back to back division titles, going 20-12 against the division over the last two seasons.
Don’t worry, we’re not eating the juice on Boston. Looking at more of a value angle here in the Atlantic Division.
Division Winner via Bovada
- Boston Celtics (-220)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+300)
- New York Knicks (+800)
- Brooklyn Nets (+2500)
- Toronto Raptors (+2500)
New York Knicks to Win the Atlantic Division (+800) via Bovada
Now hear me out before you get out the pitchforks. The Celtics at (-220) is the kind of juice that should never be taken for an division winner. Injuries happen and with all the new additions to the roster, growing pains are a possibility.
The Knicks finished last in the division two years ago at 37-45, then went out and signed Jalen Brunson in the summer of 2022.
People laughed and called it an over-pay, and then Brunson proceeded to average 24 points and 6 assists on 49% and lead the Knicks to a 47-35 record. Good enough for 3rd in the division, just 10 games behind Boston.
Now they’ve a full season under their belt, another full training camp, AND a little taste of success.
The Sixers have won just one division title in the last 20 years, and with all the questions surrounding James Harden’s status with the team, stay far away from Philly. They’re a Joel trade request away from a full on implosion.
Give me the value with the Knicks, a team that went 28-17 in their last 45 games last season; and 3-1 against the Celtics. Oh and upset the Cavaliers in just five games.
New York Knicks to Win the Atlantic Division (+800) via Bovada
Central Division
All talk about the Central Division over the last week has surrounded one man, Damian Lillard.
A week ago, Dame wasn’t even a part of this division. With Lillard now in Milwaukee, the Bucks look primed for a sith straight division title.
Milwaukee’s now won five straight division titles, and finished with the best record in the league in three of those five seasons. They remain the team to beat in the Central Division, but with the odds at (-380), it’s basically unplayable.
Division Winner via Bovada
- Milwaukee Bucks (-380)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (+275)
- Indiana Pacers (+3300)
- Chicago Bulls (+4000)
- Detroit Pistons (+20000)
Cleveland Cavaliers to Win the Central Division (+275) via Bovada
This ones not as pretty as the value on the Knicks, but has a much higher chance of hitting.
The Cavaliers finished just seven games behind the Bucks last season, going 51-31 with a combined 41 games missed by Garland, Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen.
While the Bucks are slated as the favorites to win it all in 2024, they’ve had their share of injury issues. Last season Giannis missed 19 games, while Middleton started in just 19 games.
The Bucks lost iron man Jrue Holiday and his replacement, Damian Lillard, has played 67 or fewer games in four straight seasons; and just 87 games over the last two seasons.
The Cavaliers have returned most of their core, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley.
Both Garland and Mitchell averaging 21.6/9A and 28.4 respectively. And we saw Jarrett Allen rank 17th in +/- while averaging just 14 ppg.
Mobley’s coming off a 79 game sophomore year that saw him average 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks/game.
No one likes injuries, but when betting this market it’s important to evaluate any and all factors. Just like the Celtics, the Bucks are favored this heavily for a reason; but we’re not here to take a (-380), we’re here to identify the value.
Cleveland Cavaliers to Win the Central Division (+275) via Bovada
Southeast Division
This division is by far the most “up for grabs” in the Eastern Conference.
Last season we saw only one team from this division with a winning record, the Miami Heat; and we saw only one Southeast team in the post-season, the Miami Heat.
The Heat finished 44-38, just 3 games above Atlanta for the division title. Eventually winning two play-in games, the Heat went on a historic run all the way to the NBA Finals.
Now the books have them at (-185) to win their division; a division that had just one team make the post-season.
Division Winner via Bovada
- Miami Heat (-185)
- Atlanta Hawks (+210)
- Orlando Magic (+800)
- Charlotte Hornets (+3500)
- Washinton Wisards (+15000)
Orlando Magic to Win the Southeast Division (+800) via Bovada
If you’ve been tuning into the All-Sauce Team on Twitchyou know we’re big on the Orlando Magic this year.
This team consists of a great young core, and guys ready to take that next step.
Paulo Banchero has the chance to bring the Magic back to relevance, alongside Franz Wagner and and the rest of this Magic team. And let’s not forget about the resurgence of Markelle Fultz.
Again, we’re searching for value. The Magic finished 4th in the division at 34-48 but just 10 games behind the Heat for the division; a lot closer than expected. Vegas has the Magic’s win total set at 39.5 and the Heat recorded just 44 wins to take the division in 2023.
2023 NBA Western Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets; out later this weekend.
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