NBA betting tips: 2023/24 season predictions & odds
NBA 2023/24 season betting tips:
The 2023/24 NBA season begins on Tuesday as the defending champion Denver Nuggets face off against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets triumphed in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history by easing past the Miami Heat as superstar Nikola Jokic claimed the Finals MVP award in a 4-1 series victory.
Despite their success, Denver face a tough road to win successive titles amid the high level of competition across the NBA in both the Western and Eastern Conferences.
UK bookmakers are backing the Nuggets to be one of the leading contenders for the title, but the race appears to be wide open following a number of intriguing off-season moves.
Here are our predictions for the 2023/24 NBA season.
Can the Nuggets defend their title?
The Nuggets were by far and away the best team in the NBA last season. Michael Malone’s men were clinical in the post-season, dropping only four games in the play-offs in their march to the crown.
Jokic was the standout as he took his game to the next level, averaging 30 points per game in the play-offs. His supporting cast isn't bad either with Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr all playing their parts in Denver's success.
But, the Serb was the dominant force that drove his team to their first title. The Nuggets have kept their roster together, which should allow them to hit the ground running, but now they’re the hunted team it will be difficult to sustain their form.
A range of new betting sites have the Nuggets to win the crown at odds of 5/1, but the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns are all dangers to topple the Nuggets.
The battle between the Nuggets and the Suns will define the Western Conference. Phoenix have loaded up on talent adding Bradley Beal alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, although veteran Chris Paul has departed.
A trifecta of Durant, Booker and Beal will be very hard to stop. Odds of 7/2 to win the Western Conference with Betfred appeal to take the Nuggets’ spot in the NBA Finals.
Who can win the NBA Championship?
Phoenix and Denver represent two outstanding teams from the Western Conference. The Eastern Conference is equally stacked with talented franchises ready to wrestle back the initiative.
The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off one of the biggest trades of the off-season to acquire Damian Lillard.
Pairing Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a recipe for success after an underwhelming end to their 2022/23 season, which cost Buks coach Mike Budenholzer his job.
Rookie head coach Adrian Griffin has a stacked roster to challenge as Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Brook and Robin Lopez remain.
But, the Boston Celtics have also been busy retooling their roster, signing Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday to join their star tandem Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The race for the Finals in the Eastern Conference could be determined by those teams, although the Miami Heat have been a thorn in the side of both the Celtics and Bucks.
The Lillard and Giannis double act seems too good not to win it all, so we’re backing the Bucks to win the NBA Championship at odds of 4/1 with Betfred.
Will Jokic regain his MVP crown?
Jokic claimed his first NBA title and was named NBA Finals MVP last season, but lost out in the race for regular season MVP as Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid won the award.
Embiid was exceptional last term in a team that again failed to live up to its potential. His performances alone allowed them to compete in the Eastern Conference, although it was not enough for a push towards the NBA Finals.
It was a similar campaign that Jokic had in the past for the Nuggets, where he was the standout on a good, but not great team.
That could be the reason why Jokic may be overlooked in the MVP race this season, despite being the favourite in the betting odds.
The presence of Lillard may have the same affect on Giannis, who also has two previous awards to his name.
If the Dallas Mavericks are to compete in the Western Conference, the brilliant Luca Doncic is going to have to perform to an incredible standard.
He was overlooked last term despite averaging 32.2 points per game in favour of Embiid, but if he can steer Dallas towards the play-offs then he could earn that first MVP title at odds of 6/1 with Unibet.
Will Wembanyama live up to the hype?
Victor Wembanyama is one of the most exciting prospects to enter the NBA over the last decade.
He was the consensus No.1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft from the off last season and it was no surprise when he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in a major boost for their franchise.
However, making the transition to the NBA is not always an easy step for young players, although Wembanyama’s experience in Europe will stand him in good stead.
Zion Williamson was the last prospect to draw so much attention in the draft and in his rookie season, but injuries prevented him from earning the Rookie of the Year award.
Wembanyama has already dazzled in pre-season and he will undoubtedly be producing highlight reel moments throughout the campaign.
He is the favourite to win Rookie of the Year, but Scoot Henderson could provide competition at odds of 7/2, especially if you look for start of season offers that include free bets that are available online.
Four of the last five award winners have been players selected after the first pick, so, Wembanyama’s name is not etched on the award. But, he has too much talent to overlook, so we’re backing him at a price of 4/5 with William Hill.
Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.
