The first ever NBA In-Season Tournament tips off on Friday night, and there is no better way to celebrate than by cooking up a parlay.
There are plenty of options to choose from with seven games on the slate, so let&#8217;s find some value to exploit.
Here are our top NBA parlay picks for tonight&#8217;s action.
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for this basketball parlay bet are current as of Friday, Nov. 3, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<h2>Best NBA Parlay Today</h2>
<h3>Top NBA Parlay (+241)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Warriors Moneyline (-245)</li>
<li>Nuggets Moneyline (-285)</li>
<li>Bucks Moneyline (-225)</li>
<li>Heat Moneyline (-410)</li>
</ul>
Until we get evidence to the contrary, I&#8217;m under the impression that the NBA&#8217;s top teams will take this tournament seriously. That&#8217;s why you see a lot of chalk here.
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The Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets have gotten off to 4-1 starts, and their top players are delivering as expected. Stephen Curry is lighting it up from three-point land en route to 31 points per game, while Nikola Jokić (26.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists per game) continues to stuff the stat sheet every night.
I think Golden State continues its hot start in OKC, and Denver does enough to hold off Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks at home.
Pairing those teams with Eastern Conference powers in Miami and Milwaukee makes a lot of sense. The Heat (1-4) have had a dreadful start to the season, but there&#8217;s no better cure to an ailing team than a home date with the Washington Wizards. The Bucks haven&#8217;t had the smoothest start either as they work to acclimate Damian Lillard, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. have too much talent to fall at home to the New York Knicks.
<hr />
<h2>How NBA Parlay Betting Works</h2>
Parlay betting can be one of the most lucrative ways to wager.
Combining multiple outcomes in a single wager is a great way to get a bigger payout. Parlay betting comes with added risk, but with bigger risk comes the chance for greater reward.
The NBA is one of the most popular sports for Americans to wager. With multiple games nearly every night, it is tailor-made for parlay betting.
Here’s a look at parlay betting for pro basketball.
<h2>Best NBA Parlay Bets</h2>
Here’s a look at each option for parlay betting.
<h3>Multi-Leg Parlays</h3>
All parlays are multi-leg wagers, but traditional parlay wagers are when a player combines multiple bets in a single wager.
Every leg must hit for a traditional parlay to be paid out.
Traditional parlays have longer odds because it is harder to predict multiple outcomes to all be successful. Thus, the payouts are more lucrative.
Parlay betting is even tricky in the NBA since there are upsets every night during the regular season and even during the playoffs.
<h3>Same Game Parlays</h3>
Same game parlays are multi-leg bets from one game. They have become one of the pillars of online sports betting since FanDuel Sportsbook rolled out this type of wager in 2018.
Same game parlays typically combine a game outcome with one or more prop bets. These types of wagers are perfect for special events like Christmas, the All-Star Game, or NBA Finals since parlay bettors can’t wager on multiple outcomes during those days.
<h3>Round Robins</h3>
Round robins are multi-leg bets where a bettor can be wrong with one or more options.
In round robins, a bettor must put out an enhanced stake, depending on the number of outcomes there are.
There is no shortage of potential wagers, and the practice may seem confusing, but each online sportsbook will walk players through them before they place these types of parlay bets.
<h2>NBA Parlay Betting Strategy</h2>
I always advocate teasing totals, spreads, and props — or making the numbers more favorable for hitting — in parlay wagers. The odds will dip, but your chances of winning will go up.
Keep in mind that the more wagers you add, the less likely the parlay is to hit. I recommend only adding legs you love in a parlay bet.
Be sure to do your homework and check any potential injury developments that come through before placing a parlay bet. You don’t want a moneyline or spread bet relying on a team that is resting its stars.
Also, make sure to tread lightly with your betting stake when parlay betting. Sure, you can win more by putting out more, but you can also lose a lot when parlay betting due to the wager’s long odds.

NBA Parlays Today

Friday&#8217;s slate should be an interesting one for prop betting, as it&#8217;ll mark the first time players get to show their stuff in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Whether the added importance of these games brings about a lower-scoring playoff feel or has top players playing more minutes remains to be seen.
For my favorite play of the day, I&#8217;m targeting a player prop from the matchup between the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat. Let&#8217;s look at today&#8217;s top NBA prop.
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for this basketball prop bet are current as of Friday, Nov. 3, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<h2>Best NBA Prop Bet Today</h2>
<h3>Tyler Herro: Over 23.5 Points (-120)</h3>
The Heat have started 1-4, but that hasn&#8217;t been for a lack of effort from their top sharp-shooter.
Herro has logged a team-high 38.6 minutes per game and averaged 26.2 points on 44.1% shooting, including connecting at a 43.2% clip from three-point range. He&#8217;s got a great matchup tonight against a Wizards team that allows a league-high 126.3 points per game.
The 23-year-old has cleared this total in three of five games so far this season. Given the excellent matchup and his high usage rate (27.9%), it would be a surprise to see Herro fall short of 24 points on Friday night.
<hr />
<h2>How NBA Prop Betting Works</h2>
Prop betting is one of the most popular ways to wager on sports.
Props are bets that are not ultimately tied to the final score. There are a few different varieties of prop options for sports bettors to consider across the landscape.
Since the NBA is one of the most popular sports for bettors, and its players are among the most famous athletes in the United States, prop betting on basketball is a big deal.
Here’s a look at how NBA prop betting works.
<h2>Best NBA Prop Bets</h2>
There are a few different options for NBA bettors to consider when placing prop bets. Here’s a look at each.
<h3>Player Props</h3>
Player props are the most popular style of prop wager, especially for NBA bettors. Player props are easy to understand and navigate in NBA betting since most wagers are self-explanatory.
Among the types of NBA player props are wagering on one player to score the game’s first basket, as well as Over/Unders tied to individual state categories like points, rebounds, 3-pointers, assists, and much more.
For the prop to be successful, the bettor must either correctly identify whether the player will surpass (Over) or fall short of (Under) the predetermined number.
<h3>Game Props</h3>
Game props are wagers where a bettor bets on a specific outcome in one game.
For example, a bettor can wager on the number of first-half points or points in the first, second, third, or fourth quarter. He or she can also wager on if the game will go to overtime.
Game props can be a good way to get more lucrative odds if the bettor finds an edge.
<h3>Team Props</h3>
Team props are wagers tied to an individual team in one game.
There is a wide array of team props, including the Over or Under for each side’s total points in the game, which team will win the race to a certain number of points, or for each side to finish with an odd or even number in the game.
<h3>Futures</h3>
Futures wagers are props where fans can bet on things like awards or championships — bets that are settled far in the future.
In NBA betting, wagerers can bet on individual awards like MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Scoring Leader, Coach of the Year, and more.
Bettors could also bet on team futures, like one team going Over or Under a predetermined number of wins, making the playoffs, winning its division, conference, or even being the squad that lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy as NBA champion in June.
Futures can be a great way to get lucrative odds since betting on outcomes far in advance is really hard. However, with longer odds come a less likely chance of being correct, so tread lightly.
<h2>NBA Prop Betting Strategy</h2>
The best betting strategy is to do your homework. With props, as with nearly every other type of bet, a wagerer should target trends.
Be sure to consider the odds when targeting prop bets. As a rule, I do not advocate bettors placing any wager with shorter odds than -150, except as a parlay leg, since the payout is not substantial enough to justify the amount a bettor needs to wager.
Be sure to shop around for odds boosts and any promotions available. Nearly every online sportsbook will boost odds for NBA props, and it’s essential to take advantage of those boosted odds when placing basketball bets.
Be sure to have fun and be responsible, especially when prop betting. It is a lot of fun to cash in on a great player, like Stephen Curry or LeBron James, going off, but all it takes is an off-shooting night for your prop bet to be unsuccessful.

NBA Prop Bets Today

Friday marks the start of the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, adding motivation to matchups that may otherwise have lacked meaning this early in the campaign.
With seven games on the docket, there are plenty of intriguing spots for bettors to find value.
Let&#8217;s dig into our favorite NBA pick today.
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for this basketball pick are current as of Friday, Nov. 3, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<h2>Best NBA Prediction Today</h2>
<h3>Nets +3 (-110)</h3>
The logic behind this play is simple: Brooklyn is the better basketball team.
Despite early-season injuries to Cameron Johnson and Nic Claxton, the Nets are 2-2 and have been competitive in every game they&#8217;ve played. Mikal Bridges has picked up where he left off last season, and Cam Thomas has shouldered the scoring load for this squad.
The same can&#8217;t be said for Chicago, which was blown out at home by OKC in its season-opener and lost by 18 in Detroit to a sub-par Pistons squad despite a 51-point effort from Zach LaVine. The Bulls can&#8217;t match Brooklyn&#8217;s depth, as only DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and LaVine average over 10 points per game.
The Nets are 4-0 against the spread this season, while the Bulls are 0-3 ATS as favorites. Those trends should continue in a hard-fought game that Brooklyn ultimately wins.
<hr />
<h2>How NBA Betting Works</h2>
The NBA is the best basketball league in the world.
Every night, the top players on the planet put their skills on display, and millions of people tune in to watch. Both hardcore and casual fans can use their instincts and basketball acumen to cash in on those contests, thanks to legal online sports betting.
Here’s a look at how betting on the NBA works.
<h2>Best NBA Bets</h2>
There are a variety of ways to wager on the NBA. Let’s take a look at some of the popular types of basketball bets.
<h3>Moneylines</h3>
Moneylines are the simplest form of betting. A bettor just has to determine which team will win the game when the final buzzer sounds.
In a moneyline bet, the winning team could do so by one point or by 35, and it doesn’t matter. If the team you bet on wins the game, your ticket cashes.
Moneyline odds will vary depending on the expected competitiveness of the matchup, which can make them more or less lucrative depending on how you wager.
<h3>Spreads</h3>
Spread betting involves wagering on a favorite to win by more than a predetermined number of points or an underdog to either lose by fewer points or win outright.
Basketball spread betting is one of the most popular ways to wager since there is an equal volume of close and lopsided NBA games.
Plus, betting a favorite to cover the spread adds enhanced value compared to moneyline betting.
<h3>Totals</h3>
In basketball, totals are a reference to the number of points scored in an individual game. Bettors will then place a wager on whether the game will go Over or Under the projected total score.
The odds associated with Over/Under bets are usually -110 on both sides.
Although it may seem random, there is a method to the madness in basketball totals betting, and bettors should factor in things like rest, pace, and team defenses before wagering on either side of the total.
<h3>Props</h3>
Prop wagers are bets that aren’t tied to the final outcome.
There are multiple types of prop bets available to basketball bettors, but player props are by far the most popular. When wagering on player props, bettors must determine whether an individual will go Over or Under a specific stat threshold like points, rebounds, assists, or 3-pointers.
If betting on player props isn’t your style, you can also wager on game or team props. One example of a team prop is a team total, which involves wagering on one team to score Over or Under a predetermined number of points. An example of a game prop is betting on an NBA game to go to overtime.
There are corresponding odds based on the likelihood of each prop to play out. Plus, sportsbooks will sometimes boost the odds of those wagers to entice players to wager on various marquee matchups.
<h3>Futures</h3>
Futures wagers are bets that are generally settled at the end of the season. These could include picking a team to win the championship or a player to win an award.
In NBA betting, players can wager on a team to win its division, conference, or the Larry O’Brien Trophy. One can also bet the Over/Under on a team’s regular-season win total or if it will make the playoffs.
For individual futures, a bettor may wager on a player to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and more. You can also bet on a player to lead the league in a certain stat category, including points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers, blocks, and steals.
Futures wagers can come with extremely long odds since it can be hard to predict which player or team will ultimately finish on top in a single season. Plus, you have to wait until the end of the season for futures wagers to pay out.
But be sure to consider making a futures bet or two before the season starts, as it is extremely satisfying to cash in when you do so.
<h3>Parlays</h3>
Parlay betting is when a player combines multiple bets in a single wager. Parlay betting can be a great way to get lucrative odds, but it comes with a risk since it can be extremely tough to predict multiple outcomes.
In traditional parlay betting, users may combine NBA moneylines, spreads, and totals into one wager. But online sportsbooks have also standardized same-game parlays, which is when bettors can combine multiple markets, including player and game props, from a single game.
Same-game parlays are great for marquee events like the All-Star Game and single-game days during the postseason and NBA Finals.
<h3>Live Betting</h3>
If you’re watching a game in person or on TV and decide to put some money down while the game is happening, that is called live betting.
It’s one of the staples of online sports betting since sportsbooks can constantly update odds based on how likely the outcomes are to hit.
In NBA betting, fans can wager on live moneylines, spreads, totals, props, and other markets. These can be particularly profitable in basketball, as teams tend to trade scoring runs throughout the game.
<h2>NBA Betting Strategy</h2>
When it comes to building an NBA betting strategy, be sure to seek value, especially when certain matchups don’t make sense. I love wagering on home underdogs in the NBA, especially in matchups between teams that seem on the same level.
Also, look for trends, especially while betting on props. Do you know one team is great at shutting down Stephen Curry? Target his Under. Does LeBron James go off against a particular opponent? Bet his Over.
Most importantly, have fun and be responsible. Only wager what you can afford to lose. NBA betting is a great way to add some juice to the games, but it’s important to stay within your means.

NBA Predictions Today

The 2023-24 NBA regular season will tip-off on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with a doubleheader on TNT. The first game will be a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Nuggets swept the Lakers in four games en route to winning their first NBA title in franchise history. Finally, the doubleheader wraps up at 10 p.m. ET with the new-look Phoenix Suns taking on the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.
Below we’ll look at the latest NBA Opening Night odds for these two games and provide a breakdown on all four teams.
<h2>NBA Opening Night Schedule &amp; Betting Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Thursday, Aug. 31, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<h3 id="game-1">Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets</h3>
<h4>Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. ET</h4>
<ul>
<li>Moneyline: Lakers (+170) @ Nuggets (-205)</li>
<li>Spread: Lakers (+5) @ Nuggets (-5)</li>
<li>Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) / Under 227 (-110)</li>
</ul>
To start the 2023-24 NBA season, we will get a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and Nuggets. The Nuggets will receive their championship rings and raise their banner.
Denver swept Los Angeles in four games as they received tremendous performances from Nikola Jokic, who won Western Conference Finals MVP, and Jamal Murray. Jokic averaged a triple-double consisting of 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists per game against the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Murray had 32.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. The dynamic point guard also posted a 50/40/90 shooting split (52.7 FG%, 40.5 3PT%, 95.0 FT%), which shows how locked in he was.
The Nuggets were 31-20-1 against the spread at home (including the postseason) and an impressive 10-1 straight up at Ball Arena in the NBA playoffs.
<ul>
<li>Can the Nuggets repeat? Check out our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">2024 NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
As for the Lakers, they will try to enact revenge and ruin the Nuggets’ home opener. Los Angeles improved in the offseason, adding Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jalen Hood-Schifino.
The Lakers also re-signed Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. With all those players intact, plus LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers will be a tough out every night.
In the Western Conference Finals, James came close to averaging a triple-double with 27.8 points, 10 assists, and 9.5 rebounds per game. Even though Los Angeles got swept, Davis had a solid series with 26.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, while Reaves averaged 21.8 points per game on 54.9% shooting and 56% from three-point range.
The Lakers were 23-25-1 ATS on the road last season (including the NBA playoffs).
<h3 id="game-2">Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors</h3>
<h4>Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10 p.m. ET</h4>
<ul>
<li>Moneyline: Suns (-102) @ Warriors (-118)</li>
<li>Spread: Suns +1 (-110) @ Warriors -1 (-110)</li>
<li>Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) / Under 230.5 (-110)</li>
</ul>
The new-look Suns will take on the Warriors at Chase Center to wrap up Opening Night in the Association. It’s not shocking to see a one-point spread for this game as Phoenix revamped its roster in the offseason.
The Suns traded future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul in a shocking three-team deal involving the Pacers and Wizards. Phoenix received Bradley Beal in return to form a new “Big Three” with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
However, Paul didn’t stay with the Wizards for long as he was swapped for Warriors two guard Jordan Poole. Golden State hopes that Paul can stay healthy and lead the second unit.
Last season in Phoenix, Paul was a shell of himself, averaging a career-low 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. That being said, if Paul can duplicate those numbers off the bench this season, it will give the Warriors a boost.
<ul>
<li>Read more about what Paul brings to the table in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/sixth-man/">NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
It’s hard to pick a winner in this game since we haven’t seen these two teams on the floor yet. But we know that both teams can score a ton of points, especially when you have Durant, Booker, Beal, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins all on the floor.
It will be fun to see how Beal plays alongside Booker and Durant, who shined in last year’s NBA playoffs.

NBA Opening Night Odds 2023

NBA Daily Picks & Bets

The 2022-23 NBA season has come to an end, with the Denver Nuggets defeating the Miami Heat in five games to win their first championship in franchise history.
Although Denver hasn’t even embarked on its victory parade yet, it’s never too soon to start looking ahead to next season and speculating who will be the next team to hoist the Larry O&#8217;Brien Trophy.
Let&#8217;s delve into the opening NBA Finals odds for 2024.
<h2>NBA Finals Winner Odds 2024 </h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Wednesday, June 14, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Denver Nuggets (+450)</li>
<li>Boston Celtics (+550)</li>
<li>Milwaukee Bucks (+650)</li>
<li>Phoenix Suns (+850)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)</li>
<li>Golden State Warriors (+1200)</li>
<li>Philadelphia 76ers (+1300)</li>
<li>Dallas Mavericks (+1700)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Clippers (+1700)</li>
<li>Miami Heat (+2000)</li>
<li>Memphis Grizzlies (+2200)</li>
<li>Cleveland Cavaliers (+2500)</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans (+3500)</li>
<li>New York Knicks (+5000)</li>
<li>Sacramento Kings (+5000)</li>
</ul>
<h2>NBA Finals Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Milwaukee Bucks (+650)</h3>
The Bucks, led by the dominant Giannis Antetokounmpo, were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this past season but were bounced by the Heat in the opening round.
In his post-game presser after the series, Giannis essentially said there’s no such thing as failure in sports. But after winning just one playoff series in the two years since winning the title, there’s no doubt that this recent failure will motivate him.
Milwaukee heads into this campaign with a first-time head coach in Adrian Griffin, who has ample talent to work with. At this price, the Bucks are a good bet to win it all again in 2024.
<h2>NBA Finals Betting Favorite</h2>
<h3>Denver Nuggets (+450)</h3>
Fresh off their first championship, the Nuggets are poised to remain at the sports’ pinnacle again in 2024.
Denver’s dynamic duo of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray were impossible to slow down during these playoffs, with their unselfish two-man game causing all sorts of problems for opposing defenses.
<ul>
<li>Read more on why the Nuggets are favored in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/west/">NBA Western Conference winner odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The good news for the Nuggets is that their core, which also includes Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., will remain intact. However, Michael Malone’s squad may have to find some more auxiliary pieces if Bruce Brown decides to hit the open market.
<h2>NBA Finals Contenders</h2>
<h3>Boston Celtics (+550)</h3>
Despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics enter the offseason with more questions than answers.
Is Joe Mazzulla really the right coach for the job? Is Jaylen Brown a super-max player?
After forcing a Game 7 against Miami, GM Brad Stevens is sticking with his head coach for now. And it’s more than likely that Brown gets his money.
But do those things help a Boston team that needs more support for Brown and Jayson Tatum? Probably not.
Still, that duo has proven their ability to consistently reach the latter stages of the postseason. If Boston’s stars can improve in the small margins, the Celtics could potentially win their first championship since 2008.
<h3>Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)</h3>
After a rocky start to the season, the Lakers redesigned their roster at the NBA trade deadline to great effect, adding key pieces in D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt.
The result was a trip to the Western Conference Finals, where the Nuggets swept away Los Angeles.
However, this season was far from a waste. The second half of the campaign saw the emergence of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who both played significant minutes in the postseason.
While the roster will have to be reworked again in the offseason, the Lakers will always have a chance as long as Anthony Davis and LeBron James are available.
<h2>NBA Finals Sleepers</h2>
<h3>New York Knicks (+5000)</h3>
These odds feel too deep for the Knicks, who won their first playoff series in a decade this past postseason and have secured a bargain in point guard Jalen Brunson.
New York will need to see more consistency from its two other top players, Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, who were hit-and-miss during the team’s playoff run.
<ul>
<li>See where the Knicks rank in our <a href="https://thegameday.com/odds/nba/east/">NBA Eastern Conference odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Tom Thibodeau’s team should be mostly unchanged heading into next season as trade-deadline add Josh Hart (player option) is the only significant contributor that could leave this offseason.
If this young group continues to improve and adds a bit more shooting, the Knicks are an intriguing sleeper pick to make a deep playoff run next season.
<h3>Sacramento Kings (+5000)</h3>
While not traditionally seen as a threat, the Kings ended the league’s longest playoff drought in 2023 and have a talented young roster that could make some noise next season.
De&#8217;Aaron Fox and Malik Monk form a dynamic backcourt duo, and Domantas Sabonis is a talented post presence. That core could see a significant addition or two this offseason as Sacramento has cap space to work with and is rumored to be signing EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.
The Kings haven’t won a playoff series since 2004 and are a longshot to win the title, but a small wager could present some value if they make the right moves this summer.

NBA Finals Odds 2024

NBA betting offers a wide range of options for adding excitement to the game.
From moneylines and spreads to totals, props, futures, and more, there&#8217;s a wager for everyone.
To be successful in NBA betting, bettors should do their research, stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends, and make informed decisions based on various factors.
With a bit of skill, knowledge, and luck, bettors can enjoy the thrill of NBA betting and potentially earn some profits along the way.
<h2>Moneylines</h2>
Moneyline betting in the NBA is a type of wager where you simply bet on which team will win the game. You&#8217;re not concerned with whether a team wins by a certain number of points, but rather if they win the game outright.
Each team is assigned odds by the sportsbook based on their perceived chances of winning the game, and that can change based on activity by bettors on both sides.
A favorite team will be assigned a negative odds value, while the underdog team will be assigned a positive odds value. The size of the odds value indicates the payout you can expect if you place a winning bet.
For example, let&#8217;s say the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing against the Brooklyn Nets, and the Nets are -175 favorites to win the game.
If you wagered $175 on Brooklyn to win, you would net $100. Conversely, if the Cavaliers are the underdogs with a moneyline of +225, a successful $100 bet on Cleveland would net $225 if it won the game outright.
Moneyline betting can be a great option for beginners who are new to NBA betting or for bettors who want a simple, straightforward wagering experience.
However, it&#8217;s important to note that the odds assigned to each team reflect the perceived likelihood of them winning. As such, favorites will have lower odds and betting on them will require a larger investment to win less money. Meanwhile, underdogs will have plus-money odds, and a smaller bet is capable of returning a larger payout.
<h2>Spreads</h2>
Spread betting in the NBA is a type of wager where you bet on the point difference between two teams in a game. The sportsbook assigns a point spread for each game to even out the odds, making it more challenging to pick the winner.
The point spread is designed to give bettors a more balanced betting experience by making it more difficult for the favorite team to win by a large margin, and conversely, making it easier for the underdog team to cover the spread by either winning outright or losing by a small margin.
For example, let&#8217;s say the Boston Celtics are playing against the Miami Heat, and the Celtics are favored by 6.5 points.
In this situation, the Celtics need to win the game by seven points or more to cover the spread. Conversely, if you bet on the Heat at +6.5, your wager is successful if Miami loses by six or fewer points or wins the game outright.
Spread betting can be a useful option for NBA bettors who want a more challenging betting experience.
However, it&#8217;s important to note that the point spread assigned to each team reflects the sportsbook&#8217;s estimation of the point differential between the two teams. Do your research and consider factors such as team performance, injury reports, and home-court advantage before placing a spread bet.
<h2>Totals</h2>
NBA totals betting involves wagering Over or Under on the total number of points that will be scored in a game.
In NBA totals betting, it is paramount to account for the pace and efficiency of each team. Pace refers to how quickly a team plays, while efficiency refers to how well a team scores on each possession.
Teams with a fast pace and high efficiency tend to score a lot of points, which can lead to high totals. Conversely, teams with a slow pace and low efficiency tend to score fewer points, which can lead to lower totals.
For example, if the Golden State Warriors are playing against the Houston Rockets, and the total assigned by the sportsbook is 220.5 points, you can bet on whether the two teams will score more than 220.5 points or less than 220.5 points. If you bet on the Over and the final score is 121-100, the total points scored would be 221, which means you would win the bet.
Totals betting can be a great option for NBA bettors who want to focus on the overall score of the game instead of which team will win or lose. By considering factors such as pace and efficiency, bettors can make informed decisions and potentially earn profits from NBA totals betting.
<h2>What other types of NBA Betting odds are available?</h2>
In all of these types of NBA betting, it&#8217;s important for bettors to consider various factors, such as team performance, injury reports, and home-court advantage, before placing a wager.
Being an informed bettor increases your chances of success.
<h3>Futures Betting</h3>
Futures bets in the NBA are wagers on season-long events, such as predicting the winner of the NBA Championship, the league’s MVP, Rookie of the Year, or Sixth Man of the Year.
Most NBA futures betting tends to take place during the offseason. However, you can still place wagers on many of these awards up until the time they are handed out.
For example, you can back a talented prospect like Victor Wembanyama to win Rookie of the Year or a player like Immanuel Quickley to win Sixth Man of the Year.
These bets can offer higher payouts than single-game bets, but are also riskier since the outcome is not immediate. Trades, injuries, and more in-season variance can affect these markets at any time.
<h3>Prop Betting</h3>
Prop betting in the NBA is a great way to add some excitement to any game you’re watching.
Prop bets are wagers on specific outcomes within a game, and are generally categorized under player props and team props. Examples of these include the total points scored by a particular player, the total number of rebounds for a team, or the first team to score.
NBA prop betting offers up a vast array of options, making it arguably the most popular market among basketball bettors.
For example, you can place a prop bet on LeBron James to score Over/Under 30 points in a particular game. If James scores 31 points or more, an Over bet would cash. Conversely, if James scores 29 points or fewer, an Under bet would pay out.
<h3>Parlay Betting</h3>
NBA Parlay betting can be an attractive option for bettors looking to take advantage of multiple opportunities.
Let&#8217;s say you want to place a parlay bet on three NBA games: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks:
<ul>
<li>For the first game, you bet on the Celtics to win with a moneyline of -120.</li>
<li>For the second game, you bet on the Lakers to cover the spread of -2.5 with odds of -110.</li>
<li>And for the third game, you bet on the Nets and Bucks to score Over 226.5 total points with odds of -115.</li>
</ul>
If all three of your bets are correct, your parlay bet would win, and you would receive a payout based on the combined odds of all three bets.
Parlay bets offer higher potential payouts than single bets, but are riskier because all of the individual bets must be successful for the parlay bet to win.
For example, let&#8217;s say you placed a $100 parlay bet on the above three games. The Celtics win their game, the Lakers cover the spread, and the Nets and Bucks score Over 226.5 total points. The combined odds of these three bets would be approximately +540.
This means that if your parlay bet is successful, you would win $540 in addition to your initial $100 bet. However, if even one of your individual bets is incorrect, your entire parlay bet would lose.
<h3>Teaser Betting</h3>
Teaser betting is less popular in the NBA than it is in the NFL, where points are harder to come by and spread betting is much more popular.
Unlike football teasers that swing the spread by 6-7 points, basketball teasers typically allow for 4-6 points of movement in either direction.
While these every point can make the difference, bettors must strike a balance between the potential payout and risk when making teaser bets.
<h3>Round Robin Betting</h3>
NBA round-robin bets are also relatively rare.
Round robins allow a bettor to make multiple parlay bets at once, with each consisting of a similar group of individual plays.
For example, let&#8217;s say you like four underdogs on an NBA slate: the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs.
Instead of placing individual bets on each team, you can create a round-robin parlay that accounts for all the possible outcomes of those teams winning.
For instance, one of the three-team parlays could be Bulls, Hawks, and Heat, while another could be Hawks, Heat, and Spurs.
NBA round-robin bets offer bettors a chance to potentially profit from multiple outcomes. However, remember to consider the different combinations of selected teams and managing the cost of your tickets.

NBA Betting Odds

In a league full of offensively gifted players, defense has become a lost art.
Some of the better defenders in the league fail to see consistent floor time due to offensive deficiencies.
Considering those factors when predicting the NBA steals leader for the 2023-2024 season is important.
Let’s look at the latest NBA steals leader odds and pick out some best bets.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Steals Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these steals leader best bets are current as of Monday, Oct. 16, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>OG Anunoby (+310)</li>
<li>Jimmy Butler (+340)</li>
<li>Paul George (+500)</li>
<li>Tyrese Haliburton (+1300)</li>
<li>Marcus Smart (+1600)</li>
<li>Dejounte Murray (+1900)</li>
<li>Jalen Williams (+2100)</li>
<li>Matisse Thybulle (+2300)</li>
<li>Delon Wright (+2300)</li>
<li>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2800)</li>
<li>Bilal Coulibaly (+2800)</li>
<li>Chris Paul (+3100)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Be the NBA Steals Leader in 2024?</h2>
<h3>OG Anunoby (+310)</h3>
OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors is currently the odds-on favorite to be crowned the steals leader for the second consecutive season. The 26-year-old wing has made a name for himself on the defensive end, particularly in forcing turnovers.
Unlike several other players on the list, Anunoby does not rank within the top 10 in deflections per game. Instead, Anunoby generated many of his 1.9 steals per game last season from solid on-ball defense.
There aren’t any clear obstacles to Anunoby repeating last year’s success, as he remains a starter in Toronto and the focal point of the team’s defense.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Steals Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Jimmy Butler (+340)</h3>
Don’t let his age fool you, Jimmy Butler is still one of the best players in the league at forcing turnovers at 34 years old. Butler is just a couple of years removed from capturing the steals crown in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Oddsmakers seem to believe that the 6-foot-7 wing will again give Anunoby a run for his money. Butler finished last year averaging 1.8 steals per game, just one-tenth of a steal per game less than Anunoby.
<ul>
<li>See where the Heat rank in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Butler’s off-ball prowess saw the former All-Star lead the league with 70 deflections last season. Miami is a team that prides itself on the defensive end, and Butler has the benefit of playing alongside several other great defenders, including perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Bam Adebayo.
If Butler can keep himself in advantageous positions on the floor, there’s no reason why Miami’s superstar can’t finish the season as the steals leader.
<h3>Paul George (+500)</h3>
George is widely considered one of, if not the best, two-way players in the league and has been for some time now.
George won this award as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018-2019 season, averaging 2.2 steals per game over 77 contests.
Availability has been the biggest factor hindering the former MVP candidate from winning this award again. The 6-foot-8 wing has not played more than 56 games since leading the league in steals in 2018.
If George can stay on the floor, he certainly possesses the tools to finish the regular season as steals leader once again.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Steals Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Tyrese Haliburton (+1300)</h3>
At just 23 years old, Haliburton has already proven he is one of the best young all-around guards in the league.
The Pacers&#8217; cornerstone finished last season averaging 1.6 steals per game in 56 games played. At a towering 6-foot-5, Haliburton uses his length to harass smaller guards and has a knack for defending without fouling.
The sky’s the limit for Haliburton, and this year could be the one where he propels himself to the top of the league in steals. Even if he ultimately falls short, his name should be in the conversation for many seasons to come.
<h3>Marcus Smart (+1600)</h3>
Smart is just one year removed from his Defensive Player of the Year campaign in the 2021-2022 season.
The 29-year-old will join the reigning DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. after the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Smart via trade this offseason. Smart’s 1.5 steals per game last season was good enough for 10th in the league.
<ul>
<li>Check out our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/defensive-player/">NBA DPOY odds &amp; best bets</a>.</li>
</ul>
How Smart will adapt to his new role in Memphis remains to be seen. The veteran point guard will likely see an extended run during the season&#8217;s first quarter, with All-NBA guard Ja Morant suspended for the first 25 games.
Smart has consistently been one of the best defenders at the guard position and could warrant a longshot bet with his current odds.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Steals Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Dejounte Murray (+1900)</h3>
Murray is just two years removed from leading the league in steals back in the 2021-2022 season as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
Murray’s 2.0 steals per game in that campaign slightly fell after joining the Atlanta Hawks. The two-way guard ranked 11th with 1.5 steals per game last season, but he could easily return to the form we saw in San Antonio.
The 27-year-old&#8217;s 6-foot-10 wingspan has consistently kept him amongst the league leaders in deflections per game. His 3.6 deflections per game last season was the second-highest figure in the league.
<h3>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2800)</h3>
Alexander’s 1.7 steals per game last season was good for fourth-best in the league.
Alexander will also now benefit from what seems to be elite rim protection from redshirt rookie Chet Holmgren. With such an influential big man roaming behind him, the 6-foot-6 combo guard can gamble and press opposing guards even more than before.
<ul>
<li>Read more on SGA in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Alexander is one of two Thunder players that could contend for the league lead in steals this season. Sophomore forward Jalen Williams put forth an impressive rookie campaign, leading all first-year men with 1.4 steals per game. Williams has higher odds than Alexander, making the All-NBA guard a slightly better value.

NBA Steals Leader Odds 2024

The 2023-24 NBA season is just around the corner, and with the arrival of the season, plenty of folks are flocking to sportsbooks to get their futures bets in before things play out on the court.
Below, we’ll look at the leaders for three-pointers made. While Stephen Curry is once again a runaway favorite, there are plenty of candidates behind him to take the crown, including a couple who even made more threes than Curry last season.
Let’s break down the latest NBA 3PM leader odds.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Three-Pointers Made Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these three-point leader best bets are current as of [date] and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Stephen Curry (-150)</li>
<li>Damian Lillard (+700)</li>
<li>Klay Thompson (+1100)</li>
<li>Anfernee Simons (+1500)</li>
<li>LaMelo Ball (+1800)</li>
<li>Donovan Mitchell (+1800)</li>
<li>Buddy Hield (+2500)</li>
<li>Luka Doncic (+2500)</li>
<li>Desmond Bane (+3200)</li>
<li>Jayson Tatum (+3200)</li>
<li>Jordan Poole (+3500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Lead the NBA in Three-Pointers Made in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Stephen Curry (-150)</h3>
Curry has played 14 seasons in the NBA, and he’s led the league in threes in seven of those campaigns. Last season, he finished third with 273 threes made, marking the first time he didn’t take home the honor since 2019-20 when he played just five games due to injury.
At 35 years old, Curry is showing no signs of slowing down, knocking down 42.7% of his looks from three a season ago to put up his best season in five years.
You know he will take his fair share of shots from three, finishing sixth in that category last season, and with the rate at which he knocks them down, he’s always a safe bet here. It seems only injury can derail this bet.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Three-Point Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Damian Lillard (+700)</h3>
The newest Bucks guard has never led the league in three-pointers made, yet he finds himself with the second-best odds to do so over at FanDuel.
<ul>
<li>Check out the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
It certainly makes sense, considering Lillard took the fourth-most threes in the league last season, but he shot just 37.1% from deep. It was an improvement upon his poor 32.4% season in 2021-22, but it doesn’t appear his shot is in good enough shape to warrant consideration to lead the league in threes made.
<h3>Klay Thompson (+1100)</h3>
Thompson, barring injury, should finish the season ahead of everyone else in this category. He attempted the most threes in the league last year (731), while Jayson Tatum finished second with 686 attempts. Additionally, he finished first in threes made, beating out Buddy Hield 301 to 288.
It was Thompson’s first time leading the league in threes attempted or made. Still, considering he’s two years younger than Curry and showing no signs of slowing down in terms of his shooting ability, he may wind up driving the ship offensively for Golden State.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Three-Point Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Anfernee Simons (+1500)</h3>
There’s a new generation of superstars just behind the familiar names we have on the board here, and Simons will certainly take home the three-point crown at some point.
He has a ton of ability with the ball in his hands, shooting 38.7% from three for his career, and with Damian Lillard gone, he should be given the keys to the offense.
That means a lot more threes launched, and with Simons’ silky-smooth stroke, I think he can absolutely challenge for this crown.
<h3>Donovan Mitchell (+1800)</h3>
Mitchell is just hitting his peak at 27 years of age, and like the names above, he should be given the green light to take just about any shot he wants out there as Cleveland’s go-to guy on offense.
<ul>
<li>See where Mitchell ranks in our top 10 <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/power-rankings/sg/">NBA shooting guard rankings</a>.</li>
</ul>
Mitchell has averaged roughly 20.5 attempts from the field in each of the last three seasons, but interestingly enough, he’s taken more threes in the last two seasons, coming in at 9.3 per game last season and 9.8 in 2021-22.
Mitchell clearly loves the three-ball, and he did have a bounce-back year shooting the ball from deep at 38.6% last season after a tough campaign the year prior. He finished fourth in threes made a year ago, and if he can improve his shooting marginally, this will be his title to lose.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Three-Point Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Buddy Hield (+2500)</h3>
Unlike many other names on this list, Hield doesn’t have to worry about fluctuating shooting numbers. He has the ability to knock down threes, unlike anyone else except maybe Curry.
A season ago, he posted his third-best percentage ever, shooting 42.5% from behind the arc.
Hield finished third in threes attempted a year ago and hits at such a high rate that he could steal this award with either an injury to a top shooter or a strong season from Indiana – something that’s likely with its young core. He was only 13 away from doing it in 2022-23.
<h3>Jayson Tatum (+3200)</h3>
Tatum was one of just two players with more threes attempted than Hield a year ago, but unlike the Pacers’ shooting guard, he didn’t find himself in the top five of threes made.
His need to shoot off the dribble as Boston’s primary ballhandler has held him back from incredible numbers from three, but with Jrue Holiday in town, that could all change.
<ul>
<li>Read more on Tatum in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Tatum used to be an excellent three-point shooter, hitting at over 40% in his first three NBA seasons before taking on a more prominent role offensively.
While we can expect him to shoot plenty once again this year, it’s possible more of his looks could go down as he plays off the ball. If that happens, he shoots threes with enough volume to win this award.

NBA Three-Pointers Made Leader Odds 2024

With the start of the 2023-24 NBA season less than two weeks away, it’s time to make our final few preseason predictions. This article covers which players are expected to contend for the title of NBA blocks leader for the upcoming season.
It’s hard to bet against reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. Still, injuries happen, and several other quality candidates are ready to take over as the league leader.
Read on as we break down the odds and best bets for the 2023-24 NBA blocks leader.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Blocks Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these blocks leader best bets are current as of Sunday, Oct. 15, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Jaren Jackson Jr. (+280)</li>
<li>Walker Kessler (+330)</li>
<li>Myles Turner (+500)</li>
<li>Victor Wembanyama (+700)</li>
<li>Nic Claxton (+850)</li>
<li>Anthony Davis (+1500)</li>
<li>Brook Lopez (+1500)</li>
<li>Chet Holmgren (+2000)</li>
<li>Mitchell Robinson (+2500)</li>
<li>Joel Embiid (+2500)</li>
<li>Kristaps Porzingis (+3300)</li>
<li>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+3300)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Be the NBA Blocks Leader in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Jaren Jackson Jr. (+280)</h3>
It’s not always fun or profitable betting on the favorites, but Jackson is the exception to that rule. At +280, he is the two-time defending blocks leader, and last season’s DPOY is a strong bet with quality betting odds.
He finished fifth in MVP voting, and, at just 24, Jackson could take another step forward in his development this year. He averaged 3.0 blocks per game in the 2023 season, with Claxton and Lopez second at 2.5.
As a team last season, Memphis held their opponents to a league-leading 45.3% field goal percentage, a testament to Jackson’s ability to defend. As an individual, Jackson held his opponents to a 44.4% field goal percentage. With Marcus Smart on the roster, Memphis has the last two DPOY winners and is focused on playing crippling defense.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Blocks Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Walker Kessler (+330)</h3>
Kessler is another candidate to block the most shots and win the DPOY award. He’s a longshot but is in the top 12 on the current NBA oddsboard. It’s an impressive feat for a second-year player.
<ul>
<li>Check out our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/defensive-player/">NBA DPOY odds &amp; best bets</a>.</li>
</ul>
As a rookie, Kessler dominated on the defensive end of the court, which led to his being used more and more by the Utah Jazz. Kessler may have finished fourth in the running of the block lead last season, but he played by far the fewest minutes among any player in the top eight in blocks (23.0).
It’s reasonable to assume that, should Kessler see 28-plus minutes per game, he could challenge Jackson for the best average in the NBA.
<h3>Myles Turner (+500)</h3>
Turner is another player to watch closely, with an average of 2.3 blocks per game in 2023 as a member of the Indiana Pacers. The center is one of the league’s elite shot blockers, thanks to his pterodactyl-like wingspan, explosiveness, and high basketball IQ.
Turner is no stranger to leading the NBA in blocks, as he’s done it twice before. He faces stiff competition, but at +500, Turner might be the best value on the odds board for this NBA futures bet.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Blocks Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Victor Wembanyama (+700)</h3>
There hasn’t been so much hype surrounding an NBA Draft pick in years the way that people are chomping at the bit to see Wembanyama play. The 7 foot 4 phenom is a runaway favorite to win the Rookie of the Year and a legit contender to threaten Jackson for the league lead in blocks.
<ul>
<li>Read more on Wembanyama in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/rookie/">NBA ROY odds &amp; best bets</a>.</li>
</ul>
Wemby has looked every bit as good as advertised in two preseason games, with 43 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in 42 minutes. He may get bullied at just 225 lbs, but Wemby has the skill and length to be an elite defender in the NBA.
<h3>Nic Claxton (+850)</h3>
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton is technically a contender to lead the NBA in blocks this season but is flirting with sleeper status as he&#8217;s dealing with an injury that caused him to miss time during the preseason.
Why precisely the sportsbooks are so low on Claxton is a mystery. Because, despite what the odds say, Claxton finished second in the NBA in blocks per game last season (2.5). He has a lot of competition to navigate, but if 2023 is any indication, Claxton is up for the challenge.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Blocks Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Anthony Davis (+1500)</h3>
Davis isn’t getting any younger, but he did lead the league in blocks in back-to-back seasons in 2015-16 and has the tools to do so again this year.
The biggest issue with Davis isn’t his skills but rather his durability. He struggles to stay on the floor and hasn’t played more than 65 games since 2018, when he was with the Pelicans.
<ul>
<li>Get the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The threshold of 65 games is critical because, according to the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, players must play at least 65 games to be considered for individual awards like the DPOY.
Davis is a risky bet, but if he manages to stay healthy, he could have a league-leading year in LA.
<h3>Chet Holmgren (+2000)</h3>
While not technically a rookie, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren is treated as one after missing the entire 2023 season because of a Lisfranc injury to his right foot. The former No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft suffered the injury trying to defend none other than LeBron James on a fast break during The CrawsOver Pro-Am event.
The reason he makes our list of sleepers is the 7-footer has the potential to be the best shot blocker of this generation. He has a blend of size, length, and skill to rise to elite status right out of the gate.
He averaged 3.7 blocks per game at Gonzaga and set the record with six blocks in one game in the NBA Summer League while averaging 3.5 blocks per contest. Summer league and preseason aren’t always great indicators of NBA success, but Holmgren has been a beast on defense at every level he’s played.

NBA Blocks Leader Odds 2024

In a league filled with great playmakers and floor generals, only one can be the NBA assists leader.
Last year, that title went to Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden. This marked the second time Harden has been crowned the league’s assist champion.
Could he make it a third title this season? Or will someone else claim the throne?
Let’s look at the latest NBA assists leader odds and make some best bets.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Assists Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these assists leader best bets are current as of Monday, Oct. 16, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Tyrese Haliburton (+195)</li>
<li>Trae Young (+420)</li>
<li>James Harden (+460)</li>
<li>Nikola Jokić (+650)</li>
<li>LaMelo Ball (+900)</li>
<li>Darius Garland (+1000)</li>
<li>Luka Dončić (+2200)</li>
<li>Damian Lillard (+2500)</li>
<li>Fred VanVleet (+3000)</li>
<li>Tyus Jones (+3000)</li>
<li>Josh Giddey (+3500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Be the NBA Assists Leader in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Tyrese Haliburton (+195)</h3>
Haliburton averaged 10.4 assists in 56 games, which would’ve ranked second in the NBA behind only James Harden if he played just two more games and fulfilled the 58-game requirement to qualify as a per-game leader.
The Pacers played at the fourth-fastest pace in the NBA last season (101.10), trailing only the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Additionally, they’ve done a great job surrounding Haliburton with excellent perimeter shooters such as Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard. They’ve also added versatile athletes who thrive in transition, such as Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker this offseason.
In addition to being one of the highest-IQ players in the NBA, Haliburton also has a rare size for a point guard and uses his 6-foot-5 frame to help him thrive as a facilitator with excellent court vision.
He is a nightly double-double threat thanks to his incredible playmaking ability, racking up 32 in the 56 games he played last season. Haliburton earned his first All-Star appearance in 2022-23 and is primed to take another leap forward this season after signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Assists Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Trae Young (+420)</h3>
Since being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young has established himself as one of the best floor generals in the NBA. He has ranked no lower than fourth among the NBA’s assist leaders in each of his first five seasons as a pro.
<ul>
<li>See where Young sits in our top 10 <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/power-rankings/pg/">NBA point guard rankings</a>.</li>
</ul>
Head coach Quin Snyder, regarded as a tactician, has now had a full offseason to work with Young and the Hawks after being hired midseason in 2022-23. Snyder is a coach who has typically preached an uptempo style of offense, which should work in Young’s favor.
Young has talented and capable scorers surrounding him, including Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and perennial lob threat Clint Capela.
<h3>James Harden (+460)</h3>
Harden’s playing status to start the 2023-24 NBA season is currently unknown, given his looming trade request and general manager Daryl Morey’s unwillingness to meet those demands unless the Philadelphia 76ers receive an offer to help them remain competitive.
However, when he plays and whoever he plays for, Harden will be leaned on heavily to distribute the ball and create offense for others.
Since embracing more of a playmaking role, Harden has established himself as one of the more capable passers in the league. He has averaged 10-plus assists in the past three seasons, leading the NBA last year with 10.7.
When Harden’s situation is resolved, he will have a chance to defend his title as the NBA’s assists leader and show why he is on the shortlist of favorites for the title yet again.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Assists Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Nikola Jokić (+650)</h3>
It’s very rare to see a center on the shortlist of favorites for the NBA’s assists leader, but Nikola Jokić is not your average center.
Jokić is a gifted passer who constantly makes the right decision with the ball in his hands. He has operated as the hub of the Nuggets offense, allowing him to average no less than 7.0 assists per game in each of his past five seasons.
<ul>
<li>Read more on Jokić in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Despite being such a willing and free-flowing passer, Jokić demands a lot of defensive attention for his scoring ability. He does a great job of letting the game come to him and finding the open man when defenses decide to double-team him.
He averaged a career-high 9.8 assists per game in 2022-23 and could see that number rise this season.
<h3>LaMelo Ball (+900)</h3>
Like Haliburton, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is an oversized floor general who uses his size as an advantage.
His 6-foot-7 frame, combined with his superb court vision and feel for the game, enabled him to average a career-high 8.4 assists per game in 2022-23.
Ball has seen his assists per game increase each year since he entered the NBA. He is arguably entering the season with the most talented roster he’s ever had in his three-year NBA career.
The Hornets selected University of Alabama standout Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft this offseason to add to a roster consisting of Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, and Mark Williams.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Assists Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Luka Dončić (+2200)</h3>
Dončić will likely be at the forefront of the play any time the Dallas Mavericks score. He ranked second in the NBA in usage rate in 2022-23, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo, and will continue to be the engine that drives the Mavs’ offense nightly.
<ul>
<li>Check out the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Dončić has averaged eight-plus assists per game in each of his past four seasons and will have a great opportunity to extend that streak to five, given his usage rate is so high.
Another player on this list who doesn’t necessarily look the part of your prototypical point guard, Dončić does a great job of seeing and reading the floor, thanks to his 6-foot-7 build.
<h3>Fred VanVleet (+3000)</h3>
For the first time in his career, Fred VanVleet will represent a franchise other than the Toronto Raptors this season.
The veteran point guard signed a massive three-year, $128-million contract with the Houston Rockets this offseason to instill a championship culture in a franchise filled with young, unproven players.
While VanVleet has taken on more of a scoring role with the Raptors in recent years, he will be asked to handle more of a facilitating role in Houston and seems up to the task. He has seen his assist totals increase in each of the past three seasons, averaging a career-high 7.2 assists per game in 2022-23.
Given the keys to a Rockets offense that has sorely lacked a point guard since the departure of James Harden, VanVleet will have ample playmaking opportunities.

NBA Assists Leader Odds 2024

The start of the NBA regular season is rapidly approaching.
That means we don’t have much time left to lock in our futures wagers.
Let’s dive into the rebounds per game category and highlight some players to consider.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Rebounds Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these rebounds leader best bets are current as of Thursday, Oct. 12, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Domantas Sabonis (+320)</li>
<li>Nikola Jokić (+380)</li>
<li>Anthony Davis (+460)</li>
<li>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600)</li>
<li>Rudy Gobert (+600)</li>
<li>Joel Embiid (+1000)</li>
<li>Walker Kessler (+1700)</li>
<li>Steven Adams (+2000)</li>
<li>Nikola Vucevic (+2500)</li>
<li>Deandre Ayton (+3300)</li>
<li>Jonas Valanciunas (+3300)</li>
<li>Clint Capela (+3500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Be the NBA Rebounds Leader in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Domantas Sabonis (+320)</h3>
Sabonis is the favorite to lead this category, and he should be.
He led the league last season at 12.3 rebounds per game. That marked the fourth straight season in which he averaged at least 12.0 rebounds per game. He also logged at least 35 minutes per game in all four of those seasons.
There is nothing to suggest that Sabonis should take a step back in the rebounding department this year. The top backup options behind him at center are Alex Len and JaVale McGee, neither of which should eat into his playing time.
The Kings ranked inside the top 12 in the league in pace of play last season and should deploy a similar offensive philosophy this season. That means plenty of rebounding opportunities are likely coming Sabonis’s way.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Rebounds Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Nikola Jokić (+380)</h3>
Jokić wasn’t far behind Sabonis last season, averaging 11.8 rebounds per game.
It was the fifth time over the last six seasons that he hauled in at least 10.7 rebounds per game. However, it was a notable decline from the 13.8 rebounds per game that he averaged during the 2021-22 campaign.
<ul>
<li>See where Jokić ranks in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Like Sabonis, Jokić has no quality depth behind him. The Nuggets’ primary backups at the five figure to be Zeke Nnaji and DeAndre Jordan.
Denver deploys some small lineups with Aaron Gordon at center and could also use Peyton Watson in such lineups, but Jokić is going to play a ton and be among the league leaders in boards.
<h3>Anthony Davis (+460)</h3>
Davis averaged 12.5 rebounds per game last season, which marked the first time since joining the Lakers that he averaged more than 9.9 rebounds per game for a season.
Prior to that, he had averaged at least 11.1 rebounds per game in three straight seasons for the Pelicans.
While Davis averaged more rebounds per game than Sabonis, he only appeared in 56 games, so he didn’t qualify to be on the leaderboard. A player must play in at least 70% of a team’s games to qualify, meaning he needed to appear in at least 58 games.
That is the problem with betting Davis to lead this category. He has played at least 58 games just once over the last five seasons.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Rebounds Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600)</h3>
Antetokounmpo has put up gaudy rebounding numbers during his career.
He averaged 11.8 of them per game last season, marking the fifth straight campaign in which he averaged at least 11.0 rebounds. He has collected at least 12.5 rebounds per game in a season twice in his career.
<ul>
<li>Check out where the Bucks stand in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Antetokounmpo has dealt with his share of injuries but has never played fewer than 61 games in a season.
Fellow big man Brook Lopez is great at blocking shots but is not a great rebounder for his size. He also spends much of his time on offense around the perimeter, freeing Giannis on the offensive glass.
Expect the two-time league MVP to put up more stellar rebounding numbers.
<h3>Rudy Gobert (+600)</h3>
Gobert’s average of 11.6 rebounds per game last season would have been great for most players. However, it was a disappointment by his lofty standards.
Before that, he had hauled in at least 12.9 rebounds per game in each of his four seasons with the Jazz.
The reason for Gobert’s decline in the rebounding department was likely an adjustment to playing alongside fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Still, Towns was limited to just 29 games because of injury.
As the two share more time on the floor this season, we might see more muted rebounding numbers from Gobert.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Rebounds Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Walker Kessler (+1700)</h3>
In his rookie season, Kessler averaged 8.4 rebounds over 74 games.
However, he began the season as a member of the second unit, which contributed to his final average of 23 minutes per game. Over 40 games as a starter, he logged 28 minutes per game and averaged 10.2 rebounds.
Heading into his second season, Kessler is locked in as the starting center for the Utah Jazz. He does have some quality options behind him, mainly Kelly Olynyk. Newly-acquired John Collins can also play center when the Jazz want to go small.
However, if either of them were to suffer an injury and push Kessler to average 30 minutes a game, he could put up some stellar rebounding numbers.
<h3>Nikola Vucevic (+2500)</h3>
Talk about consistency. Vucevic has averaged exactly 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in both of the last two seasons.
He has been an excellent rebounder throughout his career, putting up at least 10.4 rebounds per game in a season nine times.
Despite their struggles last year, the Bulls are running it back with their leading trio of Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan. Andre Drummond is behind Vucevic on their depth chart, but he only averaged 13 minutes per game last season.
Vucevic has been a pillar of health, appearing in at least 70 games in each of the previous four seasons. It could only take injuries to a couple of the top rebounders in the league for him to finish as the statistical leader.

NBA Rebounds Leader Odds 2024

For the last few years, the NBA has been increasingly trending towards an offense-centric approach. The previous campaign saw six players average 30 or more points for the first time in league history.
With a dynamic collection of talent entering the Association, we should be in store for another season of standout individual offensive performances.
With that in mind, let’s look at the NBA scoring leader odds for the 2023-2024 season.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Scoring Leader Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these scoring leader best bets are current as of Monday, Oct. 16, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Joel Embiid (+350)</li>
<li>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+370)</li>
<li>Luka Dončić (+400)</li>
<li>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+460)</li>
<li>Jayson Tatum (+750)</li>
<li>Damian Lillard (+1700)</li>
<li>Stephen Curry (+1700)</li>
<li>Donovan Mitchell (+3000)</li>
<li>Devin Booker (+4000)</li>
<li>Zion Williamson (+5000)</li>
<li>Anthony Edwards (+5000)</li>
<li>Lauri Markkanen (+5500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Be the NBA Scoring Leader in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Joel Embiid (+350)</h3>
It is hard to imagine any other candidates near the top of the oddsboard beating out back-to-back NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid. Embiid’s 33.1 points per game (PPG) last season was good for his second consecutive scoring title and his first league MVP.
While Embiid and the 76ers have not had lasting success in the postseason, Embiid’s dominance on a nightly basis in the regular season has been a constant as long as his health has allowed.
It is worth noting that the 29-year-old center will be playing under new leadership this season, with former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse taking over after a second-round exit in the 2022-23 postseason led to Doc Rivers’ firing. It remains to be seen how Nurse and the new coaching staff may impact Embiid’s role and usage, but it’s safe to assume he’ll remain the focal point of the offense the majority of nights.
After voicing his displeasure with the team’s front office, Embiid’s teammate and former NBA scoring champ James Harden remains a potential trade candidate. Naturally, a Harden trade would open up even more scoring opportunities for Embiid. However, the assets the 76ers would get in return could also have implications on Embiid possibly topping the scoring charts for the third consecutive year.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Scoring Leader Favorites</h2>
<h3>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+370)</h3>
Gilgeous-Alexander landing near Embiid on the scoring list makes plenty of sense.
The 25-year-old combo guard is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 31.4 PPG en route to his first All-Star nod and First Team All-NBA honors.
Like Embiid, SGA has the luxury of being his team&#8217;s uncontested No. 1 scoring option. While the Oklahoma City Thunder have a plethora of young talent, Alexander is easily atop the pecking order and should have no problem repeating his success from a season ago.
His ability to score at such a high volume with impressive efficiency (51% shooting in 2022-23) will make him a perennial contender for this award for the foreseeable future.
<h3>Luka Dončić (+400)</h3>
Dončić rounds out the top three on the oddsboard after averaging a career-high 32.4 PPG a year ago.
The obvious red flag when looking at Dončić’s chances of snagging this award is the presence of All-NBA point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving has consistently been one of the most dynamic scorers in the league, and he will now share the backcourt with Dončić on a nightly basis.
<ul>
<li>See where Dončić ranks in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Dončić has shone alongside other stars before. However, much of Irving’s game is predicated on having the ball in his hands, and it is still unknown how these two will coexist for 82 games.
In the 16 games the duo played together last season, Dončić’s PPG fell slightly to 30.6. We’ll soon see how this changes over the course of an entire regular season.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Scoring Leader Contenders</h2>
<h3>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+460)</h3>
It’s hard to believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to win a scoring title despite being arguably the most dominant player in the NBA over the last half-decade.
The Greek Freak has earned about every other accolade imaginable and could contend for his first scoring title this season.
However, the two-time league MVP will now share the court with one of the more prolific scorers of the last decade-plus, Damian Lillard. The Bucks’ acquisition of the All-NBA talent could certainly affect Antetokounmpo’s chances of winning the scoring title.
Antetokounmpo averaged 31.1 PPG last season, but playing alongside Lillard – who averaged 32.2 points per contest over 58 games in Portland last season – could lead to at least a slight reduction in usage for the big man.
The Bucks will also be playing under rookie head coach Adrian Griffin this season, so whether a new system affects Antetokounmpo’s numbers is another factor to consider.
<h3>Jayson Tatum (+750)</h3>
The Boston Celtics have retooled their roster following a Game 7 Eastern Conference Finals loss that kept the squad from its second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
Jayson Tatum will undoubtedly still be the alpha on this team when it comes to scoring, but this offseason also saw the team add two other noteworthy offensive pieces to the starting five.
Tatum became the first player in Celtics history to average 30 PPG in a season last year when he finished with 30.1 PPG. He did so alongside All-Star teammate Jaylen Brown, but he’ll now share the floor with two other All-Stars in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis.
While the uber-talented forward should almost certainly rank among the league leaders in scoring once again, the sheer number of options on any given night for Boston may hinder Tatum’s chances of winning the scoring title.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Scoring Leader Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Damian Lillard (+1700)</h3>
We already touched on Lillard earlier when discussing his new teammate, Antetokounmpo.While it may seem odd to keep both on the list, either one can win the scoring title this season.
Lillard has never played on a team with the amount of talent that Milwaukee has. From dangerous three-point shooters to one of the most dominant paint players the league has seen in some time, the Bucks seemingly have a perfect complement for the former Blazers guard.
<ul>
<li>Check out where the Bucks stand in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
There are several questions surrounding this newly constructed roster, but at +1700 odds, throwing a few dollars at one of the most prolific scorers of the past decade may not be a bad idea.
<h3>Donovan Mitchell (+3000)</h3>
Mitchell has been one of the best shooting guards since entering the league in 2017. He averaged a career-high 28.3 PPG in his debut Cavaliers campaign last season, thanks to a career-best 48.4% field-goal percentage.
Mitchell’s dynamic scoring makes him a perfect candidate to contend and possibly win the scoring title this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have also built the perfect team around him with a floor-general point guard, spacing, and versatile big men.
If Mitchell takes another step forward this season, he could ascend to the top of the league in scoring.

NBA Scoring Leader Odds 2024

Ahead of last season, the NBA announced it would begin annually honoring the league’s most clutch player with an award.
The NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year Award is named after NBA legend Jerry West.
Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox was presented with the first-ever Jerry West Trophy for his heroic efforts throughout the 2022-23 season.
Who will follow in his footsteps this season? Let’s dig into the latest odds and pick out our NBA Clutch Player of the Year best bets.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these Clutch Player of the Year best bets are current as of Monday, Oct. 16, and courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1000)</li>
<li>Damian Lillard (+1000)</li>
<li>Luka Dončić (+1200)</li>
<li>De’Aaron Fox (+1400)</li>
<li>Anthony Edwards (+1400)</li>
<li>Nikola Jokić (+1400)</li>
<li>Joel Embiid (+1600)</li>
<li>Donovan Mitchell (+1800)</li>
<li>Devin Booker (+2000)</li>
<li>Tyrese Haliburton (+2000)</li>
<li>Jalen Brunson (+2000)</li>
<li>Kyrie Irving (+2000)</li>
<li>Jayson Tatum (+2000)</li>
<li>Kevin Durant (+2500)</li>
<li>Trae Young (+2500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="clutch">What Is Clutch Scoring?</h2>
Clutch scoring isn’t necessarily just a single game-winning shot to end the game. Instead, it’s the ability to have a positive impact on winning in the waning moments of a close contest.
In the NBA, clutch time is defined as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score of a respective game is within five points.
The goal is thus to find players on competitive teams who will have the ball in their hands often and aren’t afraid of the big moment.
<h2 id="best-bet">Who Will Win NBA Clutch Player of the Year in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Trae Young (+2500)</h3>
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young perfectly meets the criteria we’re looking for when trying to predict the winner of this award. Young ranked seventh amongst all NBA players in usage rate last season (32.4) and is the engine that drives the Hawks’ offense.
Per NBA University, Young was tied for the third-most field goal attempts in the clutch during the 2022-23 season (104). This shows that he’s not only willing to operate as the closer when the outcome of the game is in the balance, but the team trusts him to do so.
<ul>
<li>See where Young sits in our top 10 <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/power-rankings/pg/">NBA point guard rankings</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Hawks went 41-41 last season before being eliminated from the NBA Play-In Tournament and should be competitive yet again in 2023-24, with an expected win total of 41.5 per FanDuel Sportsbook.
This bodes well for Young’s chances of being this season’s NBA Clutch Player of the Year.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Clutch Player of the Year Favorites</h2>
<h3>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1000)</h3>
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the craftiest scorers in the NBA. His ability to stop on a dime and/or beat defenders off the dribble with his elite ball-handling skills has turned him into an offensive force that defenses need to account for in the closing moments of games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a lot of people by surprise in 2022-23, posting a 40-42 record behind the play of Gilgeous-Alexander. His 3.4 clutch points per game last season ranked in the top 20 of the league.
Having already solidified his role as the player the Thunder look to when they need a big play late in games, SGA will continue to be relied upon heavily on an ascending team.
<h3>Damian Lillard (+1000)</h3>
Given the nickname “Dame Time” for his propensity to take and make big shots throughout his career, Damian Lillard has cemented his status as one of the most clutch players in NBA history. It’s therefore impossible to discuss this award without mentioning him at the forefront of potential winners.
After 11 years of icing games for the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard took his talents to Milwaukee this offseason in hopes of doing the same for the Bucks in 2023-24 and beyond. He joins forces with two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the two figure to be in a position to close out plenty of games.
Lillard’s ability to make shots from virtually anywhere on the court makes him a constant threat who always needs to be accounted for, especially in the clutch.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Clutch Player of the Year Contenders</h2>
<h3>De’Aaron Fox (+1400)</h3>
Last year’s winner of the inaugural NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award, Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, is in a prime position to repeat as the league’s most clutch player.
Fox not only attempted the most field goals in the clutch in 2022-23 but also shot the most efficiently of any player in the top 10 (55.5%).
<ul>
<li>Check out the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals betting odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Kings didn’t add any playmakers this offseason, which means Fox will continue to operate with the ball in his hands as much as possible when games are on the line.
He is arguably the quickest player in the NBA and has improved his three-point shooting to the point that defenses must respect it, making him a difficult player to contain at any point of a game and increasingly so down the stretch.
<h3>Jalen Brunson (+2000)</h3>
While Jalen Brunson may not possess Fox’s elite combination of speed and athleticism, he has been able to lull defenses to sleep with his exceptional footwork, fakes, jabs, and hesitation moves.
Despite being undersized, he has made a living in the midrange, with his ability to create separation playing a large role in that.
Brunson ranked 10th in clutch field-goal attempts (91) last season, per NBA University. And of those top 10 players, he ranked second in field goal percentage (54.9%), trailing only Fox, last year’s winner of the award.
It’s worth noting that Brunson finished fourth in the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year Award voting for 2022-23, thanks to his ability to close out games for the New York Knicks.
If he can continue to stack trademark wins for one of the most historic franchises in American sports, he’ll be a finalist for this award once again.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Clutch Player of the Year Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Devin Booker (+2000)</h3>
Booker has earned a reputation as one of the most well-rounded offensive players in the NBA. He’s a true three-level scorer who can beat you from virtually any spot on the floor.
His silky-smooth jump shot, paired with his athleticism and ball-handling ability, have made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Booker would probably be higher on this list if he didn’t have to share any potential clutch-time opportunities with another player who happens to be featured on this list, Kevin Durant.
<ul>
<li>Find out where they rank in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
While it’s a luxury that the Suns get to choose between Booker and Durant in the final stages of games, that may impact both of their chances of winning this award.
Nevertheless, Durant has played 55 games or fewer in each of the past three seasons. His inability to stay healthy throughout the course of an 82-game season could force the Suns to rely more on Booker, making him a sleeper to win this award.
<h3>Jayson Tatum (+2000)</h3>
The Boston Celtics have been one of the most talked about teams this offseason. After coming up short in the NBA playoffs, they completely overhauled their roster and are now widely viewed as one of the two or three favorites to win it all.
Despite the major roster reconstruction, Jayson Tatum is a constant for this team. While the Celtics added notable players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown will still be the focal point of the offense.
Tatum showcased his clutch gene in closing out the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, becoming one of two players in NBA history to score 50-plus points in a Game 7.

NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds 2024

The NBA In-Season Tournament will be contested in November in Las Vegas.
It will present a fun and exciting way to bet on some relatively high-stakes games at a period of the NBA calendar that doesn’t usually feature any. After all, who would want their hands on the new NBA Cup?
Below, we’ll run through the latest NBA In-Season Tournament odds and the best ways to bet on this new feature of the league calendar.
<h2 id="odds">NBA In-Season Tournament Winner Odds 2023</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for these NBA In-Season Tournament predictions are from Friday, Sept. 8, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Boston Celtics (+700)</li>
<li>Denver Nuggets (+950)</li>
<li>Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)</li>
<li>Phoenix Suns (+1100)</li>
<li>Golden State Warriors (+1200)</li>
<li>Cleveland Cavaliers (+1300)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Lakers (+1300)</li>
<li>Philadelphia 76ers (+1400)</li>
<li>Sacramento Kings (+1500)</li>
<li>Miami Heat (+1500)</li>
<li>Atlanta Hawks (+2000)</li>
<li>Minnesota Timberwolves (+2200)</li>
<li>Dallas Mavericks (+2200)</li>
<li>New York Knicks (+2200)</li>
<li>Oklahoma City Thunder (+2200)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Clippers (+2500)</li>
<li>Memphis Grizzlies (+2800)</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans (+2800)</li>
<li>Chicago Bulls (+3500)</li>
<li>Brooklyn Nets (+3500)</li>
<li>Orlando Magic (+3500)</li>
<li>Indiana Pacers (+3500)</li>
<li>Utah Jazz (+4000)</li>
<li>Toronto Raptors (+4000)</li>
<li>Houston Rockets (+5000)</li>
<li>Charlotte Hornets (+5500)</li>
<li>San Antonio Spurs (+6000)</li>
<li>Portland Trail Blazers (+7000)</li>
<li>Washington Wizards (+7500)</li>
<li>Detroit Pistons (+7500)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="format">NBA In-Season Tournament Format &amp; Rules</h2>
The NBA In-Season Tournament has two stages: Group Play and Knockout Rounds.
In Group Play, each team will play four games against other teams in its group, which are randomly assigned based on the previous season’s records.
The best team in each group and two wild cards from each conference will advance to the Knockout Rounds, which are single-elimination games.
The final four teams will play in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup and a prize pool; each player on the winning team will get $500,000, and the players on the runner-up team will get $200,000 apiece.
All games, except the Final, will count toward the regular-season standings.
<h2>NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule</h2>
Friday, Nov. 3: Group Play begins
Tuesday, Nov. 28: Group Play ends
Monday, Dec. 4: Quarterfinal Day 1
Tuesday, Dec. 5: Quarterfinal Day 2
Thursday, Dec. 7: Semifinals
Saturday, Dec. 9: Final
<h2 id="groups">NBA In-Season Tournament Groups &amp; Betting Odds</h2>
<h3>East Group A Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Philadelphia 76ers (+190)</li>
<li>Cleveland Cavaliers (+220)</li>
<li>Atlanta Hawks (+320)</li>
<li>Indiana Pacers (+600)</li>
<li>Detroit Pistons (+900)</li>
</ul>
<h3>East Group B Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Milwaukee Bucks (+155)</li>
<li>Miami Heat (+205)</li>
<li>New York Knicks (+350)</li>
<li>Charlotte Hornets (+900)</li>
<li>Washington Wizards (+1100)</li>
</ul>
<h3>East Group C Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Boston Celtics (-105)</li>
<li>Toronto Raptors (+450)</li>
<li>Brooklyn Nets (+550)</li>
<li>Chicago Bulls (+650)</li>
<li>Orlando Magic (+650)</li>
</ul>
<h3>West Group A Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Phoenix Suns (+135)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Lakers (+185)</li>
<li>Memphis Grizzlies (+475)</li>
<li>Utah Jazz (+850)</li>
<li>Portland Trail Blazers (+1300)</li>
</ul>
<h3>West Group B Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Denver Nuggets (+160)</li>
<li>Dallas Mavericks (+300)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Clippers (+350)</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans (+425)</li>
<li>Houston Rockets (+1200)</li>
</ul>
<h3>West Group C Winner Odds</h3>
<ul>
<li>Golden State Warriors (+180)</li>
<li>Sacramento Kings (+250)</li>
<li>Minnesota Timberwolves (+400)</li>
<li>Oklahoma City Thunder (+450)</li>
<li>San Antonio Spurs (+1400)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="winner">Who Will Win the NBA In-Season Tournament?</h2>
<h3>Boston Celtics (+700)</h3>
There’s a reason they’re the favorites.
Boston has the best odds of any team to advance to the knockout stage, thanks to a very weak group.
The Raptors lost Fred VanVleet over the offseason and look to be in rebuilding mode. The Nets are basically right there with them, attempting to assemble as many young talents as possible. The Bulls still don’t have Lonzo Ball and are returning roughly the same roster after a disappointing 2022-23 season.
I have no questions about the Celtics’ roster entering the season; they’re surely the most reliable team in the field. The Nuggets seemed bored all regular season last year, and the Bucks have some question marks.
The Celtics may not be a bold pick, but I think they’re the move.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA In-Season Tournament Contenders</h2>
<h3>Denver Nuggets (+950)</h3>
Coming off of a historic championship run that saw them sweep the Los Angeles Lakers and then down the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, the Nuggets will be one of the big players in the inaugural in-season tournament.
Denver has retained its core and has added depth, acquiring Thomas Bryant in a trade and bringing back veteran Jeff Green. Bryant will help Denver’s interior defense and shore up some of its weaknesses on the glass. He can also stretch the floor like many of this team’s excellent forwards.
<ul>
<li>Can the Nuggets repeat? Check out our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">2024 NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Nuggets are also very excited about rookie Jaden Springer, who averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his lone season at Tennessee.
Denver’s group may be difficult, with the Mavericks and Clippers entering the season hungry for more, but they should surely make the knockout stage.
<h3>Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)</h3>
The Bucks fell short of another title in 2022-23, but they’ll be players in this tournament and title contenders as long as Giannis Antetokounmpo is around.
The only thing holding this team back will be its offense, which ranked outside the top 10 last year in efficiency. However, its defense was again in the top five and should get stronger with Jae Crowder joining the fold.
Milwaukee is in the group of death with the Heat and Knicks, so that may ultimately hurt their chances of taking the inaugural NBA Cup home or even reaching the knockout round.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA In-Season Tournament Sleepers</h2>
<h3>New York Knicks (+2200)</h3>
The Knicks are a big-time sleeper entering the season after proving to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference a year ago.
New York had a winning record against the Sixers, Heat, and Celtics during the regular season, and it seems the only team with its number is the Milwaukee Bucks.
<ul>
<li>See where the Knicks rank in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference betting odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Of course, that could change early this season with a core of Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, and Jalen Brunson returning and getting stronger together with each passing month.
The Knicks were among the best rebounding teams in the league last year, which should give them a way to win games in this tournament, particularly against the giants in the East.
<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder (+2200)</h3>
The Thunder have an incredible young core, but I don’t think anyone expected them to have as much success as they did a season ago.
Although they ultimately fell to the Timberwolves in the second leg of the play-in tournament, this tournament could be kinder to the up-and-coming Thunder.
The re-acquisition of Victor Oladipo and the addition of Rudy Gay should prove significant, bolstering this offense and adding an important veteran presence. OKC also improved its shooting by trading for Davis Bertans.
The Thunder find themselves in a group with the Warriors and Kings but should be able to win enough games to earn a wild-card spot in the knockout round.
This young squad is worth a sprinkle at this price.

Who Will Win the NBA In-Season Tournament?

NBA In-Season Tournament Odds 2023

With the calendar having turned to September, the beginning of the NBA season is right around the corner.
As we examine the betting odds for various awards, let’s check in on those manning the benches.
Here are the latest NBA Coach of the Year odds and some favorites, contenders, and sleepers who could end up walking away with the award.
<h2 id="odds">NBA Coach of the Year Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for these Coach of the Year predictions are current as of Sept. 4, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder (+700)</li>
<li>Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat (+750)</li>
<li>Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)</li>
<li>Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics (+1000)</li>
<li>Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets (+1200)</li>
<li>Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks (+1200)</li>
<li>Frank Vogel, Phoenix Suns (+1400)</li>
<li>B. Bickerstaff, Cleveland Cavaliers (+1500)</li>
<li>Will Hardy, Utah Jazz (+1600)</li>
<li>Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies (+1600)</li>
</ul>
There are a lot of familiar names among the favorites for this award, although some are with new teams.
After retooling their roster over the summer, the Suns named Frank Vogel, who won a championship with the Lakers, as their new coach.
Nick Nurse, who previously won this award as the coach of the Raptors, will now lead the 76ers.
<h2 id="winner">Who Will Win NBA Coach of the Year in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder (+700)</h3>
The Thunder took a significant step forward last season, qualifying for the NBA Play-In Tournament. They finished with a 40-42 record, a vast improvement from their 24-58 record the previous season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the main reason for their success, but they have also developed a talented young roster.
<ul>
<li>See where SGA ranks in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Daigneault also received recognition for OKC’s performance, coming in second place in the Coach of the Year voting. While he didn’t get any first-place votes, he received 48 second-place votes and 20 third-place votes.
The Thunder should be in an even better spot this year with Chet Holmgren set to play after missing last season due to injury. If they have a winning record and make the playoffs, Daigneault will have a great chance to win this award.
<h2 id="favorites">NBA Coach of the Year Favorites</h2>
<h3>Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat (+750)</h3>
The Heat didn’t exactly have a great 2022-23 regular season. They were 17-24 on the road, which contributed to their overall record of 44-38. The season prior, they went 53-29 to obtain the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite a lackluster performance during the regular season, Miami made an improbable playoff run that saw it reach the NBA Finals. While it ultimately fell to Denver, the fact that Jimmy Butler and Co. made it that far was a testament to the team’s top players and Spoelstra.
While Spoelstra could find himself in the running for this award, the Heat didn’t make any significant improvements during the offseason. Unless they were to vault back to a top-three record in the conference, Spoelstra might not receive many votes.
<h3>Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)</h3>
Nurse was the coach of a Raptors team that finished with a disappointing 41-41 record last season. While they made the play-in tournament, they were bounced in their first game against the Bulls.
Despite having previously won a championship with the franchise, Toronto decided to part ways with Nurse. He didn’t take long to find a new home, quickly landing with the 76ers.
<ul>
<li>Check out our top 10 games to watch on the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/schedule/">2023-24 NBA Schedule</a>.</li>
</ul>
Nurse is a great coach and takes over a talented roster that has disappointed in the playoffs. Still, Philadelphia was 54-28 last season, so it’s difficult to envision the Sixers significantly improving on that mark.
That could put Nurse in a tough spot for this award, especially if the James Harden situation isn’t resolved sooner rather than later.
<h2 id="contenders">NBA Coach of the Year Contenders</h2>
<h3>Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics (+1000)</h3>
The Celtics finished last season 57-25 in Mazzulla’s first year as head coach. That was good for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, just one game back of the top-seeded Bucks. For his efforts, Mazzulla finished third in the Coach of the Year voting.
As good as the regular season was for Boston, not reaching the NBA Finals was a major disappointment, especially since the Bucks had already been eliminated. Mazzulla took plenty of heat during the offseason, but the Celtics are sticking with him as their leader.
They still have a very talented roster that should win more than 50 games, which should again put Mazzulla among the contenders for this award.
<h3>Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets (+1200)</h3>
The Nuggets earned the top seed in the Western Conference last season with their 53-29 record. Still, Malone came in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting. He would go on to have the last laugh, winning the NBA title.
<ul>
<li>Can Denver repeat? Read more in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">2024 NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Malone is in a tough spot to win this award. The Nuggets have brought back the core of their roster, which means expectations are high for them to have another great record.
If Denver doesn&#8217;t finish among the top-three teams in the West, that would likely be considered a disappointment. However, if the Nuggets race out to a top seed and challenge for 60 wins, the combination of that and recently winning a title could help Malone’s chances of being honored.
<h2 id="sleepers">NBA Coach of the Year Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies (+1600)</h3>
The Grizzlies are coming off a great season in which they finished 51-31 and claimed the second seed in the West. Still, Jenkins received only one second-place vote and two third-place votes for the Coach of the Year.
Memphis’ season was marred by Ja Morant’s off-court issues, which have carried over into this season. However, the fact that Morant is suspended for the first 25 games of the season is the reason why Jenkins is a solid sleeper pick for this award.
If the Grizzlies play well without Morant, it would look really good for Jenkins. They have a capable replacement in Marcus Smart, who they acquired from the Celtics.
If they could earn the top seed in the conference despite the Morant issue, Jenkins would have to receive some consideration for this award.
<h3>Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers (+2200)</h3>
Ham was not put in a situation to succeed in his first season in Los Angeles. Russell Westbrook was not a good fit alongside LeBron James, and the roster lacked shooting.
However, the Lakers made some significant moves at the trade deadline that helped them finish with a 43-39 record. They then reached the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the Nuggets.
The team that Ham enters this season with is vastly superior to what he started with last season. LA added even more shooting by signing Gabe Vincent and should continue to improve by giving more playing time to Austin Reaves, a leading contender in the preseason <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/most-improved/">NBA Most Improved Player odds</a>.
If James and Anthony Davis can stay healthy enough for them to win at least 50 games, Ham might find his name in the discussion for Coach of the Year.
<h2 id="previous">Previous NBA Coach of the Year Winners</h2>
2023: Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
2022: Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns
2021: Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
2020: Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
2019: Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks
2018: Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors
2017: Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets
2016: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
2015: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks
2014: Greg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

NBA Coach of the Year Odds 2024

The 2023-24 NBA regular season is still more than a month away from tip-off in October, but it’s never too early to look at the latest odds for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Last season, Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year honors over Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley, receiving 60 of 100 first-place votes. Brogdon gave the Celtics a huge boost off the bench last season, scoring 14.9 points per game on 48.4% shooting and 44.4% from the three-point range.
Heading into this season, Brogdon has the second-best odds (+800) to repeat as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. However, the veteran combo guard will have multiple contenders looking to dethrone him.
Below, we’ll look at the favorites to win 6MOY while also pointing out some contenders and sleepers that bettors should watch out for.
<h2>NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> used for these Sixth Man of the Year predictions are current as of Thursday, Aug. 31, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Immanuel Quickley (+700)</li>
<li>Malcolm Brogdon (+800)</li>
<li>Norman Powell (+1000)</li>
<li>Malik Monk (+1000)</li>
<li>Bobby Portis (+1500)</li>
<li>Chris Paul (+1600)</li>
<li>Jordan Poole (+2200)</li>
<li>Bogdan Bogdanovic (+2200)</li>
<li>Caleb Martin (+2200)</li>
<li>Kevin Porter Jr. (+2200)</li>
<li>Bennedict Mathurin (+2500)</li>
<li>Josh Hart (+2500)</li>
</ul>
To no one’s surprise, Quickley and Brogdon are the two front-runners to win Sixth Man of the Year this season. Both players had identical statlines for their respective teams last year and should play significant roles again in 2023-24.
Speaking of surprises, Chris Paul enters the Sixth Man of the Year race for the first time in his career after he was traded to the Warriors in the offseason. Paul will likely start on the bench in Golden State as its backcourt is set with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
But with Jordan Poole in D.C., Paul has a prime opportunity to lead the Warriors’ second unit.
<h2>Who Will Win NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors (+1600)</h3>
After a lackluster ending to his time with the Suns, Paul has a prime opportunity to bounce back with the Warriors, who will be looking to make another run at an NBA title after losing to the Lakers in the second round last season.
The Warriors haven’t spoken about what Paul’s role will be this season, but one has to guess he will be coming off the bench with Golden State having Curry and Thompson.
<ul>
<li>See where Curry ranks in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
That’s not to say Paul won’t start some games here and there or be on the court in crunchtime situations, but it appears his time as a full-time starting point guard is over. This isn’t a bad thing for the future Hall of Famer, who will be another floor general for head coach Steve Kerr.
Last season with Phoenix, Paul averaged 13.9 points (career-low), 8.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 32 minutes. Those aren’t great numbers for a starting point guard of Paul’s caliber, but if he replicates that off the bench for Golden State this season, the Warriors will be a top-four seed in the West.
The Sixth Man of the Year award race is always tough to predict, and this season will be no different. However, with Paul on one of the best teams in the league, his stock could quickly rise.
<h2>NBA Sixth Man of the Year Favorites</h2>
<h3>Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks (+700)</h3>
Quickley played excellently last season for the Knicks and was one of the reasons they made it into the playoffs as a fifth seed.
The 23-year-old finished second in 6MOY voting behind Brogdon, receiving 34 first-place votes. However, he scored a career-high 14.3 points per game on 44.8% shooting and connected on 37% of his attempts from three-point range.
The former first-round pick went on a tear after the NBA All-Star break, which tightened the gap in the Sixth Man of the Year race in March and April. He averaged 21 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in the final 22 games of the regular season.
Quickley will once again be one of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s top scoring options off the bench as the Knicks try to become a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
<h3>Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics (+800)</h3>
Brogdon has the second-best odds to win Sixth Man of the Year this season. However, don’t be surprised if Boston inserts him into the starting lineup after they traded Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies in the offseason.
The former NBA Rookie of the Year had a great first season with the Celtics and helped them make another deep run in the playoffs. Brogdon averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 26 minutes per game off the bench.
<ul>
<li>Can the Celtics get over the hump? Read more in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">2024 NBA Finals odds &amp; predictions</a>.</li>
</ul>
The 30-year-old combo guard proved he can still be a lethal offensive player off the bench, hitting timely baskets for a Celtics team that featured Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Smart.
However, there’s always a chance that Boston sticks White in the starting lineup moving forward, which would keep Brogdon’s Sixth Man of the Year chances alive this season.
The last player to repeat as Sixth Man of the Year was Lou Williams, who won the award in 2018 and 2019 with the Clippers.
<h2>NBA Sixth Man of the Year Contenders</h2>
<h3>Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings (+1500)</h3>
Monk did not receive any first-place votes for Sixth Man of the Year last season but still finished fifth in the voting.
The former Kentucky Wildcat guard played an integral part in the Kings’ success last season, which saw them win the Pacific Division and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
Monk shined under head coach Mike Brown, scoring 13.5 points per game on 44.8% shooting and 35.9% from beyond the arc. The 24-year-old wasn’t just a scorer but showed the ability to get others involved on the floor, averaging a career-high 3.9 assists per game last season.
In the first round of the playoffs, Monk averaged 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game against the Warriors. At 15-1 odds, he’s worth a flier as the Kings are the real deal and should be competing for a playoff spot again this season.
<h3>Caleb Martin, Miami Heat (+2200)</h3>
Martin is another player to watch in the Sixth Man of the Year award race this season, especially after his performance in the postseason.
The 27-year-old forward was one of Miami’s most consistent players in the NBA playoffs and helped it reach the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed. Martin posted 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 30.2 minutes per game. He also shot a spectacular 42.3% from beyond the arc on 4.5 attempts per game.
This was a noticeable improvement from the regular season, where Martin only averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
At 22-1 odds, Martin winning Sixth Man of the Year isn’t a bad bet, as Miami will need to make up for the lost production caused by the departures of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.
<h2>NBA Sixth Man of the Year Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks (+2200)</h3>
The veteran two-guard is coming off a solid season for the Hawks, where he scored 14.9 points per game on 44.7% shooting and 40.6% from three-point range. Last season was only the second time in Bogdanovic’s career that he shot 40% or better from beyond the arc.
Heading into this season, Bogdanovic will be one of Atlanta’s primary scorers on the second unit as the team tries to make a significant leap under Quin Snyder.
<ul>
<li>Check out where the Hawks rank in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The 31-year-old didn’t receive any votes for Sixth Man of the Year last season, but his shooting stats are on par with those of Brogdon and Quickley.
If the Hawks can be competitive in the Southeast Division and fight for a top-six seed this season, Bogdanovic will make waves in the 6MOY race.
<h3>Gabe Vincent, Los Angeles Lakers (+5000)</h3>
After re-signing Austin Reaves to a four-year, $53 million deal in free agency, one could make the case that the Lakers will insert him into the starting lineup. If that’s the case and head coach Darvin Ham keeps D’Angelo Russell at point guard this season, it could open up the door for Gabe Vincent to win Sixth Man of the Year.
Vincent signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Lakers after spending the first four years of his career with the Heat. The 27-year-old combo guard had a stellar postseason in Miami, averaging 12.7 points per game on 40.2% shooting and 37.8% from three-point range after being inserted in the starting lineup for an injured Tyler Herro.
Vincent is in a perfect situation to increase his 6MOY odds as the Lakers are coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance, and his two new teammates (Reaves – +3000, Rui Hachimura – +3000) could have bigger roles after their playoff performances.
<h2>Previous NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winners</h2>
2023: Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics
2022: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
2021: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
2020: Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers
2019: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
2018: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
2017: Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
2016: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers
2015: Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors
2014: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds 2024

While there is still the possibility that James Harden or Damian Lillard could get traded, most teams have finalized their rosters as the NBA season approaches.
With teams having taken shape, it’s time to start thinking about who could win individual awards.
Let’s dig into the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award odds and highlight some possible wagering options.
<h2>NBA DPOY Odds</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these Defensive Player of the Year best bets are current as of Monday, Aug. 28, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Jaren Jackson Jr. (+500)</li>
<li>Evan Mobley (+650)</li>
<li>Anthony Davis (+1000)</li>
<li>Rudy Gobert (+1000)</li>
<li>Bam Adebayo (+1000)</li>
<li>Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1000)</li>
<li>Walker Kessler (+1500)</li>
<li>Brook Lopez (+1500)</li>
<li>Nicolas Claxton (+1500)</li>
<li>Draymond Green (+2000)</li>
<li>Mikal Bridges (+2000)</li>
<li>Joel Embiid (+2000)</li>
</ul>
Outside of Jackson and Mobley, every player has at least 10-1 odds to win this award. There are also a lot of centers on the list, despite a point guard in Marcus Smart winning the award just two seasons ago.
There are also a lot of familiar faces among the leaders in odds. Jackson, Gobert, Antetokounmpo, and Green are all previous winners. Gobert has won the award three times.
<h2>Who Will Win NBA DPOY in 2024?</h2>
<h3>Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (+500)</h3>
Few players in the league can pile up defensive stats like Jackson.
Last season, he averaged a career-high 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game to win his first Defensive Player of the Year Award. He did so despite being limited to 63 games because of injury.
Jackson should be a perennial option for this award based on his shot-blocking prowess. Two seasons ago, he averaged 2.3 blocks while appearing in 78 games. He has also averaged at least 0.9 steals in four of his five seasons in the league.
With Ja Morant dealing with a suspension to begin the season, Jackson will likely be one of the players who is looked upon for added contributions. What’s crazy about his production last season is that he only averaged 28 minutes per game. If he were to average more than 30 minutes a game, it would be difficult to envision anyone else surpassing him for this award.
<h2>NBA DPOY Favorites</h2>
<h3>Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (+650)</h3>
Mobley didn’t make as much progress on the offensive end of the floor as the Cavaliers would have probably liked from him last season. However, he still provided 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
His ability to defend multiple positions is a huge bonus and was one of the main reasons he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Heading into this season, Mobley is slated to start alongside center Jarrett Allen, who averaged 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game himself last season.
Mobley has the skill set to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award at some point in his career. However, that might not happen until he starts at center and Allen is on another team.
<h3>Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)</h3>
Davis is one of the most talented players in the league, regardless of position.
He can dominate a game on both ends of the floor, which he showed last season by putting up 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. That marked the ninth time in his career that he averaged at least one steal and two blocks per game.
<ul>
<li>See where Davis ranks in the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP betting odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The problem with Davis has been his inability to stay healthy. He appeared in just 56 games last season and hasn’t played at least 70 games since the 2017-18 season.
The Lakers want to win a title, and they need Davis healthy to do that. Expect them to be cautious with any injury he may suffer so that he is ready by the time the playoffs roll around.
That uncertainty puts him in a difficult position to win this award.
<h2>NBA DPOY Contenders</h2>
<h3>Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000)</h3>
Gobert has already won this award three times. He most recently earned it during the 2020-21 campaign when he was still a member of the Jazz.
In his prime, Gobert completely shut down the paint. After his rookie campaign, he averaged at least 2.0 blocks in eight straight seasons.
Gobert saw his numbers take a hit last season — he averaged 1.4 blocks per game — as a member of the Timberwolves. Fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns only appeared in 29 games, so it’s not as if he was a huge hindrance.
At 31 years old, Gobert’s days of winning this award might be over.
<h3>Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (+1000)</h3>
Adebayo’s contributions on the defensive end don’t always come out in the stats.
Last season, he provided a modest 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He has never averaged more than 1.3 blocks per game, and he has averaged at least one steal and at least one block just twice during his six-season career.
Still, Adebayo is one of the top contenders for this award because of his versatility.  He is also the defensive anchor for one of the better defensive teams in the league.
The problem is he may never compile juicy enough stats to overtake players like Jackson and Davis.
<h2>NBA DPOY Sleepers</h2>
<h3>Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets (+2000)</h3>
The Nets will begin their rebuild with Bridges at the center of it. He took his game to another level after being acquired from the Suns.
In 27 games with Brooklyn, he averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks. One factor that helps Bridges is that he plays a ton. He logged 34 minutes per game with the Nets and has played at least 33 minutes per game in each of the last three seasons.
<ul>
<li>Read more on why Bridges is the favorite in the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/most-improved/">NBA Most Improved Player Award odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Villanova product can defend multiple positions and relishes the challenge of trying to slow down the opposing team’s best scorer. If he can find a way to average around 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, he could overcome these longer odds.
<h3>Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks (+3000)</h3>
Holiday is one of the best defensive point guards in the league, if not the best.
Heading into last season, he had six straight seasons with at least 1.5 steals per game. He has averaged at least 1.5 steals in a season 11 times. That made his 1.2 steals per game last year a disappointment, registering as his lowest mark since his rookie campaign.
As is the case with Davis, injuries have often held Holiday back from DPOY contention. He hasn’t appeared in more than 67 games since the 2017-18 season.
Holiday is also somewhat overshadowed by his teammate Giannis Antentokounmpo, who has won this award previously.
However, at these odds, it could be worth taking a chance on the veteran having a healthy campaign and finally being recognized for his defensive chops.
<h2>Previous NBA DPOY Winners</h2>
2023: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
2022: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
2021: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
2020: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
2019: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
2018: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
2017: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
2016: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
2015: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
2014: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2024

The start of the NBA season is rapidly approaching.
Most major offseason moves have already been made, although potential trades involving James Harden and Damian Lillard still loom large.
As we start to turn our attention toward who could be the next NBA champion, let’s examine the latest NBA playoff odds and make some wagers on teams to qualify for the postseason.
<h2>Odds To Make NBA Playoffs</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are current as of Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Atlanta Hawks (-230)</li>
<li>Boston Celtics (-6000)</li>
<li>Brooklyn Nets (+145)</li>
<li>Charlotte Hornets (+475)</li>
<li>Chicago Bulls (+150)</li>
<li>Cleveland Cavaliers (-1200)</li>
<li>Dallas Mavericks (-220)</li>
<li>Denver Nuggets (-4000)</li>
<li>Detroit Pistons (+950)</li>
<li>Golden State Warriors (-500)</li>
<li>Houston Rockets (+600)</li>
<li>Indiana Pacers (+135)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Clippers (-250)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Lakers (-380)</li>
<li>Memphis Grizzlies (-250)</li>
<li>Miami Heat (-800)</li>
<li>Milwaukee Bucks (-5000)</li>
<li>Minnesota Timberwolves (-150)</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans (-150)</li>
<li>New York Knicks (-380)</li>
<li>Oklahoma City Thunder (-135)</li>
<li>Orlando Magic (+165)</li>
<li>Philadelphia 76ers (-800)</li>
<li>Phoenix Suns (-900)</li>
<li>Portland Trail Blazers (N/A)</li>
<li>Sacramento Kings (-185)</li>
<li>San Antonio Spurs (+1100)</li>
<li>Toronto Raptors (+175)</li>
<li>Utah Jazz (+360)</li>
<li>Washington Wizards (+1100)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Best Bets to Make NBA Playoffs</h2>
<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder (-135)</h3>
The Thunder took a significant step forward last season, finishing 40-42 to make the NBA Play-In Tournament as the ninth seed. They knocked off the Pelicans in the first game, then lost by 25 points to the Timberwolves to miss out on the playoffs.
The Thunder took a step forward because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took his game to another level. He averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 51% from the field and 90.5% from the free-throw line. He also played in 68 games, the most that he has appeared in since the 2019-20 season.
Heading into this season, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams should continue to improve, providing excellent supporting options for Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder will also get back Chet Holmgren, who missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. They had a massive hole at center last season, which Holmgren should fill extremely well.
With so much young talent on this team, look for this to be the season that OKC returns to the playoffs.
<h3>Sacramento Kings (-185)</h3>
While these aren’t the most appealing of odds, the Kings had the third-best record in the Western Conference last season. They didn’t lose any significant players this offseason and even added reigning EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov. And still, they have the eighth-best odds of making the playoffs in the West.
One of the reasons why the Kings were so successful last season is that their stars stayed healthy. De’Aaron Fox played in 73 games, while Domantas Sabonis logged 79 games. Key supporting players Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes also played 75 and 82 games, respectively.
<ul>
<li>Check out our Top 10 Games on the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/schedule/">2023-24 NBA Schedule</a>.</li>
</ul>
Worse luck in the health department could hurt the Kings, but they should also see improvement from Keegan Murray, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 Draft. He showed his three-point shooting prowess, averaging 2.6 triples and shooting 41.1% from behind the arc during his rookie season.
The Kings have more than enough depth to make the playoffs again.
<h2>Sleeper Picks to Make NBA Playoffs</h2>
<h3>Chicago Bulls (+150)</h3>
The Bulls made the play-in tournament last season, finishing with a 40-42 record. They are a maddening team, given how inconsistent they have played since Lonzo Ball (knee) went down two seasons ago. While he is a key part of their starting five, a team that boasts the trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic should not be middling around .500.
The Bulls have already said that Ball will likely be out for all of this season, but they took better steps to replace him at point guard. They re-signed Coby White, who showed significant improvement last season. They also brought in Jevon Carter, who provides much-needed three-point shooting and defensive versatility.
The key to the Bulls will be if Carter and White can help offset the loss of Ball and if Patrick Williams can take his game to another level. The Bulls need three-point shooting, and Williams was one of their better weapons in that department after shooting 41.5% from behind the arc last season.
Factor in another depth addition in Torrey Craig, who can also shoot threes well, and the Bulls’ star trio might have a good enough supporting cast to get them back into the playoffs.
<h3>Orlando Magic (+165)</h3>
The Magic showed significant signs of promise last season. They were only 14-27 on the road but 20-21 at home.
Paolo Banchero was named NBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers over 72 games. The only real downside to his performance was that he wasn’t very efficient, shooting 42.7% from the field and 73.8% from the free-throw line.
Banchero might be the main reason to be excited about the Magic, but he certainly isn’t the only one. Franz Wagner also had a special season, providing 18.6 points per game and shooting 48.5% from the field.
<ul>
<li>See where the Magic sit in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/southeast/">NBA Southeast Division betting odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Markelle Fultz didn’t play in his first game until the end of November because of injuries, but he showed plenty of improvement when he did get healthy. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 assists per game, shooting 51.4% from the field. All three of those marks were the best of his career.
The Magic had two first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, which they used on Anthony Black and Jett Howard. For a team as young as they are, they also added what could prove to be a valuable veteran in Joe Ingles.
The bottom of the Eastern Conference is wide open, so taking a chance on the Magic to make the playoffs at these odds could prove worthwhile.

NBA Playoff Odds 2024

It’s only been a few months since the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA’s Central Division for the fifth time in a row. The Bucks haven’t lost the division since LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee is favored to win for the sixth consecutive season in 2024.
Cleveland is back in the mix, but unseating the Bucks will be challenging. The Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers are dark horses, while the Detroit Pistons are a deep longshot at 200-1 odds.
We have a lot to cover, so let’s get into the latest NBA odds to win the Central Division and make some betting picks along the way.
<h2>Central Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Sunday, July 30, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Milwaukee Bucks (-290)</li>
<li>Cleveland Cavaliers (+250)</li>
<li>Chicago Bulls (+2500)</li>
<li>Indiana Pacers (+3500)</li>
<li>Detroit Pistons (+20000)</li>
</ul>
The Bucks are favored for a good reason, considering they’ve dominated the division for the last five years.
Their odds aren’t awful, though they lack betting value at -290. The Cavaliers (+250) are a tempting play after finishing seven games off the pace last season.
<h2>Central Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Milwaukee Bucks (-290)</h3>
The Bucks have the fourth-best <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">odds of winning the 2024 NBA title</a>, so betting on them to win the Central Division is the obvious play.
However, Milwaukee is coming off back-to-back “down” years following its 2021 title and hasn’t made a deep playoff run since.
The Bucks need to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with better players and gel under new head coach Adrian Griffin to come through as favorites.
<h2>Central Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>Cleveland Cavaliers (+250) </h3>
The Cavs aren’t exactly a deep sleeper, but they are the most likely underdog to sneak past the Bucks.
Last year, Cleveland made the playoffs for the first time since James took his talents to Los Angeles, thanks to the breakout success of guys like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen.
<ul>
<li>See where Cleveland sits in the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference betting odds</a>. </li>
</ul>
If this group takes another step forward in 2024, the Cavs can win their first division title since 2018.

NBA Central Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

The Southwest Division is shaping up to be one of, if not the most competitive division in the Association next season.
With multiple respected contenders, a ton of star power, and some of the best young talent in the league, the Southwest will provide must-watch basketball on a nightly basis.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dallas Mavericks as the slight favorites to win the division over the Memphis Grizzlies, who will have to withstand a 25-game suspension to star point guard Ja Morant to start the regular season.
Let’s look at the latest Southwest Division betting odds and some of the best NBA division winner bets you can make today.
<h2>Southwest Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Tuesday, July 25, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Dallas Mavericks (+150)</li>
<li>Memphis Grizzlies (+155)</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans (+250)</li>
<li>Houston Rockets (+4000)</li>
<li>San Antonio Spurs (+5500)</li>
</ul>
After failing to make the playoffs last season, the Dallas Mavericks have been given the best odds to win the Southwest Division following an active offseason.
Spearheaded by the superstar backcourt of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs are expected to be in a tight race with Morant and the Grizzlies, who made several significant moves this summer themselves.
The Rockets and Spurs have been given the worst odds to win the Southwest. However, there is plenty of young talent on those rosters. With exciting rookies like Victor Wembanyama, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore, we could see those teams become competitive much quicker than anticipated.
<h2>Southwest Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Memphis Grizzlies (+155)</h3>
Memphis will have to overcome significant adversity to start the season, but I believe it will win the Southwest Division for the third straight season.
The Grizzlies have been one of the most dominant regular-season teams in recent history, and this year should be no different. Additionally, head coach Taylor Jenkins will have some capable reinforcements at the point guard position during Morant’s absence.
<ul>
<li>See where the Grizzlies sit in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/west/">NBA Western Conference odds</a>. </li>
</ul>
While former backup Tyus Jones previously stepped up in Morant’s absence, Memphis decided to move the 27-year-old veteran for 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart. Former MVP Derrick Rose also joined the squad during free agency this summer.
Memphis has performed well without Morant in the past and should be okay doing so again with the key moves it made this offseason.
<h2>Southwest Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>New Orleans Pelicans (+250)</h3>
The Pelicans are the picture-perfect team when thinking of a sleeper pick for the Southwest Division.
Over the past few seasons, New Orleans has continuously been on the cusp of getting over the hump. However, it always seems to be missing something.
Much of the team’s success will fall on the shoulders of superstar Zion Williamson. There is no arguing that when on the court, Williamson is one of the most dominant players in the league.
Unfortunately, his biggest weakness throughout his young career has been his availability. Williamson must prove he can stay healthy throughout an entire season.
When looking at the Pelicans’ roster, you could make a real case for them to win the division and possibly compete for a championship.
A healthy big three of Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram, alongside a strong supporting cast, could cause real problems out West this season.

NBA Southwest Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

The NBA’s Southeast Division features five teams with very different expectations heading into the 2023-2024 season.
The Southeast is headlined by the 2023 NBA Finals runner-up Miami Heat, and the division will seemingly run through them once again, as it has many times since its inception in 2004.
Miami has won 12 division titles in 19 years and is the early favorite to do so again next season.
Let’s look at the latest Southeast Division betting odds and make some NBA division winner bets for the 2023-24 campaign.
<h2>NBA Southeast Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Friday, July 21, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Miami Heat (-185)</li>
<li>Atlanta Hawks (+190)</li>
<li>Orlando Magic (+1000)</li>
<li>Charlotte Hornets (+2500)</li>
<li>Washington Wizards (+20000)</li>
</ul>
Oddsmakers currently have the Southeast Division as a two-team race between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks.
The Washington Wizards have the longest odds of winning the division after trading away their two star players, Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis, this offseason.
With Orlando and Charlotte sporting younger rosters, Atlanta and Miami sporting the lowest odds makes the most sense.
However, the odds could shade even further in Miami’s direction with Damian Lillard expressing his desire to join the squad via trade.
<h2>NBA Southeast Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Miami Heat (-185)</h3>
Miami’s Cinderella run in the 2023 NBA Playoffs was nothing short of spectacular.
The Heat became just the second No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals and should look to build off that success in the 2023-24 season.
<ul>
<li>Can Miami repeat? Check out our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference betting odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
While the squad did lose two key starters in the offseason, the central core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and head coach Erik Spoelstra have proven time and time again that they can succeed with just about anyone on the roster.
And should they acquire Lilliard, who earned a spot on All-NBA Third Team last season, the Heat will be heavy favorites to collect another division title.
<h2>NBA Southeast Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>Atlanta Hawks (+190)</h3>
With every other team sporting long-shot odds, selecting the Hawks as a sleeper pick to win the division should be a given.
Atlanta has been one of Miami’s biggest competitors in recent history and could certainly challenge the 2023 Eastern Conference champions next season.
The Quin Snyder-led squad flourished towards the end of the regular season and beat Miami in the opening game of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Should some of their younger players, like Onyeka Okongwu and De’Andre Hunter, continue to develop, Atlanta could find itself atop the Southeast Division after 82 games.

NBA Southeast Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

The Northwest Division is home to the NBA champion Denver Nuggets, who will look to repeat their success from this past season in the 2023-24 campaign.
The Nuggets are massive favorites to secure the division crown again this upcoming season. Still, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers are all looking to steal the title.
After winning a championship, there is always a target on a team’s back, which will be true for Denver this season. With a few months to go until the 2023-24 NBA season tips off, we’ll discuss the best bet to win the Northwest division and which team could be a sleeper to watch.
<h2>Northwest Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Friday, July 14, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Denver Nuggets (-650)</li>
<li>Minnesota Timberwolves (+700)</li>
<li>Oklahoma City Thunder (+1000)</li>
<li>Utah Jazz (+6000)</li>
<li>Portland Trail Blazers (+15000)</li>
</ul>
The Nuggets are the reigning champs, and the Timberwolves are entering their second season with Rudy Gobert playing alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.
Despite having a young roster and their sights on the future, the Thunder went 40-42 last season, which was good enough for the 9th seed in the Western Conference.
The Jazz and Trail Blazers are both in transitional periods, especially with Damian Lillard requesting a trade out of Portland this offseason.
<h2>Northwest Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Denver Nuggets (-650)</h3>
The Nuggets cruised en route to the franchise&#8217;s first title this past season, defeating the Miami Heat in five games in the NBA Finals. Nikola Jokić proved to be the best player in the league, and Denver’s role players stepped up when needed throughout the season.
<ul>
<li>Explore Denver&#8217;s chances to repeat in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
During free agency, the Nuggets lost Bruce Brown, a crucial bench piece for the reigning champions. Replacing Brown won’t be easy, but Denver does boast a deep roster that still has Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. starting alongside Jokić.
There isn’t value in wagering on the Nuggets at -650 odds; it’s just tough to imagine them not winning the Northwest Division for the fourth time in the last six years.
<h2>Northwest Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder (+1000)</h3>
The Thunder are stockpiling draft picks like the world is ending soon, but they have a bright, young nucleus intact.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made the All-NBA first team last season, and Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Luguentz Dort have all shown potential.
After not having 2022 No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren (Lisfranc injury) available last season, the former Gonzaga star is expected to debut for Oklahoma City in 2023.
His return and the additions of Victor Oladipo, TyTy Washington Jr., Usman Garuba, Davis Bertans, and rookies Keyontae Johnson and Cason Wallace could be enough to help the Thunder push for the division crown sooner than expected.

NBA Northwest Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

The NBA offseason has been littered with intriguing storylines, and multiple teams in the Pacific Division have drastically altered their rosters.
Whether it be through trades or free agency, the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings will all look a bit different to begin the 2023-24 season.
The Pacific Division was one of the most competitive divisions in the league last season, with only five games separating first and last place. With all five teams having reasons to be hopeful entering the upcoming campaign, we’ll look at the best bet to win the division and which team could surprise by the season’s end.
<h2>Pacific Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Thursday, July 13, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Phoenix Suns (+160)</li>
<li>Golden State Warriors (+280)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Lakers (+350)</li>
<li>Los Angeles Clippers (+500)</li>
<li>Sacramento Kings (+1000)</li>
</ul>
The Suns enter as the favorites following the acquisition of Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards earlier this offseason. The Warriors retained Draymond Green and landed Chris Paul via trade from the Wizards, leading some to believe they can still compete.
The Lakers and Clippers have their talented duos intact (LeBron James/Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard/Paul George). However, the Lakers were more aggressive in free agency to surround their tandem with more talent.
Lastly, the Kings — who won the division in 2022-23 — were somewhat quiet in free agency, as their most notable move was trading for Chris Duarte.
<h2>Pacific Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Phoenix Suns (+160)</h3>
Picking the Suns to win the Pacific Division isn’t going to be contrarian this offseason.
Phoenix is just two seasons removed from playing in the NBA Finals, and it now has a trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Beal to lean on, along with a championship-winning head coach in Frank Vogel replacing Monty Williams.
<ul>
<li>Read why Phoenix is among the favorites in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
There are certainly injury concerns with their All-Star trio, and Phoenix&#8217;s roster is unquestionably top-heavy, with Deandre Ayton also having an expensive contract.
It could take time for the new-look Suns to get acclimated to one another, but it’s tough to envision them struggling in the regular season as long as two or three of their top players are always on the floor.
<h2>Pacific Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>Sacramento Kings (+1000)</h3>
What if Mike Brown has the Kings prepared to contend again in the Pacific Division?
Sacramento sat atop the standings last season with a 48-34 record despite being bounced in the first round of the playoffs against a much more experienced Warriors squad in seven hard-fought games.
Even though it wasn’t the outcome they wanted, the experience of even advancing to the postseason could benefit the Kings, who have All-NBA talent in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to lead the charge.
Keegan Murray figures to improve in his second season, and the likes of Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Duarte could make the Kings a threat to win the division again this season.

NBA Pacific Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

Staying with the status quo is a death sentence in the NBA and each team in the Atlantic Division made moves this offseason – whether it was to put them in position to compete or begin a transitional period.
The Boston Celtics have run the division in recent years, but the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Toronto Raptors will all have something to say about it.
None of the five teams in the Atlantic Division had a losing record in 2022-2023, with 16 games separating first and last place. Ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign, here is the best bet to win the division and the sleeper team to keep an eye on.
<h2>Atlantic Division Winner Odds 2023-24</h2>
<a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a> used for these best bets are from Thursday, July 13, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
<ul>
<li>Boston Celtics (-205)</li>
<li>Philadelphia 76ers (+235)</li>
<li>New York Knicks (+900)</li>
<li>Brooklyn Nets (+2200)</li>
<li>Toronto Raptors (+2500)</li>
</ul>
The loss of Marcus Smart is tough for the Celtics, but they were able to add Kristaps Porziņģis to give Joe Mazzulla exactly what he wants: five players on the floor at all times that can shoot from the perimeter.
The 76ers are at an impasse with James Harden, who would prefer to be traded despite the team replacing Doc Rivers with Nick Nurse this offseason.After signing Jalen Brunson and trading for Josh Hart last season, the Knicks compiled a 47-35 record under Tom Thibodeau.
The Nets and Raptors are both at the bottom of the odds due to lacking the All-NBA talent the other teams in the division possess.
<h2>Atlantic Division Winner Best Bet</h2>
<h3>Boston Celtics (-205)</h3>
Once again, Smart&#8217;s departure won’t go unnoticed on and off the floor for Boston.
The good news for the Celtics is that they still have Derrick White to replace him and Malcolm Brogdon is coming off a season where he won the Sixth-Man of the Year award despite there being health concerns surrounding him this offseason.
<ul>
<li>See where the Celtics sit in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">2024 NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The addition of Porziņģis could be massive for the Celtics as it could ease the workload for both Al Horford and Robert Williams in the front court to pair with the team’s All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
There isn’t value in betting on Boston to win the Atlantic Division at the current odds (-205), but the team is undoubtedly built to win the division for the third consecutive year.
<h2>Atlantic Division Winner Sleeper Pick </h2>
<h3>New York Knicks (+900)</h3>
In Thibodeau’s third year at the helm in New York, the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing to the Miami Heat in six games.
The Knicks were tied for third league-wide in offensive rating (117) and were 19th in defensive rating (114.2) last season.
This offseason, the Knicks retained Josh Hart and added to their group of Villanova alums by signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency. Jalen Brunson impressed in his debut season in the Big Apple, and the team boasts a bench unit that now consists of Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes (unless Hart comes off the bench), DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
On top of that, the Knicks could add more to their roster if they offload Evan Fournier’s expiring contract to another team.

NBA Atlantic Division Odds &#038; Best Bets

NBA Betting Picks & Tips

BROOKLYN – Terry Rozier has been a member of the Charlotte Hornets for five seasons and hasn’t yet played in a postseason game.
Still, the veteran guard and team leader believes the group is close to competing, as long as its stars can actually get on the floor together at the same time.
The Hornets have endured a stunning rash of injuries, notably to LaMelo Ball and 2023 No. 2 pick Brandon Miller, as well as the season-plus absence of forward Miles Bridges due to suspension following a domestic violence charge.
The marquee absences have clouded veteran coach Steve Clifford’s two-year tenure with the club – his second stint as coach with the franchise.
“We have a great team,” Rozier told <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/">The Game Day Basketball</a> after his 37-point, 13-assist performance in Charlotte’s 129-128 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. “We haven’t played at full strength for two years.”
Charlotte was poised to take a huge leap as a perennial postseason participant after its breakout 2021-22 season. Led by Ball, who was an All-Star, the Hornets finished 43-39 – their best record since Clifford last guided them to the playoffs in 2015-16 – but lost to the Atlanta Hawks 132-103 in the Play-In Tournament.
But the wheels have come off since. Clifford took over for James Borrego, who was let go in April 2022, and was dealt an awful hand almost immediately when Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles in June.
“Two years ago, he was the high-scorer and high-rebounder,” Clifford said of Bridges after Charlotte’s loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 12.
Bridges sat out the whole 2022-23 season, and Charlotte fielded 26 different starting lineups in 82 games while Rozier, Ball, and guard Gordon Hayward, each missed time because of injury.
The bad luck landed Charlotte a 27-55 record and the second overall pick, which it used to take Miller, the standout swingman from Alabama.
Clifford knew Charlotte would have to weather the first 10 games of this season without Bridges as he served the rest of his 30-game suspension from the NBA.
But then Miller sprained his ankle in the Hornets’ 129-107 loss to the Knicks on Nov. 12, and Ball, who is leading the team in points, steals, and assists per game, sprained his ankle in the Hornets’ loss to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 26.
The Hornets are 2-0 in games in which Bridges, Ball, and Miller start. Plus, Clifford could sense his team’s confidence beginning to build right before Ball went down.
“We got on the plane with a lot of momentum finally having everybody back,” Clifford said. “This was the first time, in Orlando, that I could sense that in the huddle what’s [coming] next for us.”
Fortunately for Charlotte, it’s not how a team starts the season but how it finishes it.
<ul>
<li>Wager on basketball this season: Learn <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">how to bet NBA odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Hornets have not fallen out of playoff contention despite losing arguably their three best players, though Clifford also feels there is still a lot of growth required from his team even when the stars come back.
“You have to find a way that your team has to play to win, and then you’ve got to do that and be able to do it every night no matter where you play,” Clifford said. “To have the right attitude, approach, fight, determination, togetherness, that’s where it all starts.”
With Miller and Ball expected to return at some point in December, the club is feeling good despite its 6-11 record as of Dec. 1.
“We’re just trying to get everyone playing, so we can be at full strength, so we can really show what we can do,” Rozier said. “Obviously, we’re taking it one day at a time and waiting for our players to get back.”

Rozier, Hornets Confident in Charlotte&#8217;s Potential at Full Strength

BROOKLYN – As an opponent of Joel Embiid’s over much of his career, Nicolas Batum has seen how opposing teams try to stop the reigning NBA MVP.
But since coming to the Philadelphia 76ers via trade earlier this month, the veteran forward has seen first-hand what makes Embiid special.
“When you play against him, you focus on the scorer,” Batum said. “When you play with him, what has shocked me is the balance he’s found for when he has to be a team player and when he has to take over.”
Embiid is somehow having a better season than the one that earned him MVP honors last year. With him leading the way, and a breakout season from guard Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers are on the short list of Eastern Conference contenders after their 10-3 start.
<ul>
<li>Check out the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference betting odds</a>. </li>
</ul>
Philadelphia overcame an offseason’s worth of drama surrounding James Harden after the superstar guard forced his way out of town to the Clippers in the Nov. 1 deal where the 76ers landed Batum, Robert Covington, K.J. Martin, and Marcus Morris.
But the Sixers have only flourished after the blockbuster deal. Aside from unloading the unhappy 2018 MVP, the trade also opened the door for Maxey to become an impact point guard.
The 23-year-old ranks 11th in the NBA in points (26.8) and assists (7.1) per game and is on pace to set career-highs in both categories.
“He was always really hard to coach against. I’m not all that surprised that he’s had some big games for us,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s just reps and situational minutes at this position, which he’s never really had that much of.”
Maxey had his first career 50-point game in Philadelphia’s 137-126 win over Indiana on Nov. 12, and his infectious enthusiasm has rubbed off on teammates and opponents alike.
“I love watching players who love playing the game,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn told <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/">The Game Day Basketball</a> before Philadelphia’s game in Brooklyn on Sunday. “[Maxey] exudes a joy about him that I love watching.”
Maxey has become one of the league&#8217;s top second options, but Embiid is still the engine that drives the 76ers. He leads the NBA in scoring (31.9 PPG), is sixth in rebounds (11.2), and also averages a career-best 6.2 assists per game.
“Just trying to make the right play,” Embiid said after the 76ers’ 121-99 win in Brooklyn on Sunday. “Whatever’s open, just playing with each other in a bunch of different ways.”
Embiid came just one assist shy of his sixth-career triple-double Sunday despite not playing the entire fourth quarter. He still boasts an elite inside-outside game but, to Batum’s point, is adding the playmaking piece to his already-loaded bag of tricks.
“We continue to see different ways that teams are defending him,” Nurse said. “He wants to deliver to the open guy.”
Philadelphia has been bounced in the second round in three straight postseasons despite the fact Harden was supposed to put it over the top. It still remains to be seen whether the Sixers can get past fellow Eastern Conference powers, Boston and Milwaukee, in a best-of-seven series and reach the Finals for the first time since 2001.
But Nurse, who won a championship as coach of the Toronto Raptors in 2019, isn’t worried about the playoffs yet. He understands the league will adapt to his team and is focused on ways for Philadelphia to get ahead of those adjustments.
“We’ve got to keep working in our counter moves to some of those things,” Nurse said. “We keep trying to adjust to get ready to counter for those as they pile up.”
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<h2 id="harden">Harden-76ers Saga Brings Player Empowerment Era Closer to Conclusion</h2>
Aug. 14, 2023
It could be argued that James Harden has been the face of the NBA’s player-empowerment era.
So it’s not all that stunning that the Philadelphia 76ers guard is at the center of its potential demise.
The NBA world was rocked from its sleepy offseason state when Harden tore into his boss, 76ers president Daryl Morey, a day after Morey reportedly said he would not necessarily honor Harden’s trade request before the 2023-24 season.
“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said during a press event in China, according to The Athletic.
ESPN reported Sunday the 76ers were cutting off trade talks for Harden and were planning on having him at training camp. Harden, who has been traded twice in the past three seasons, opted into his player option for 2023-24 and then asked to be moved.
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The Harden-Morey fallout isn’t shocking given the personalities involved, but it is surprising based on how each has benefitted the other through the years.
Harden was the Sixth Man of the Year when Morey, then-GM of the Houston Rockets, acquired him from Oklahoma City in 2012. But Morey empowered Harden to become the seven-time All-NBA, three-time scoring champ, and two-time assist leader that he has since become, and the Rockets finished .500 or better every season they were together.
Harden has, in turn, become the most successful development of the so-called Moreyball, the analytics movement that changed the NBA forever. Without Harden’s rise in Houston, Morey probably wouldn’t have been the 2018 NBA Executive of the Year — the same year Harden won MVP —  nor would he likely be in a position to build a championship contender in Philadelphia.
So Morey may be right to try and salvage that decade-plus relationship, especially with the East in flux and the 76ers poised to benefit. The Celtics may be the favorites in the Eastern Conference, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are still lurking, but the East is wide open.
With perennial MVP candidate Joel Embiid, the Sixers are clearly in the mix with a healthy and content Harden.
Yet, there’s the tightrope line for Morey to walk, especially with Harden finally set to hit free agency after this season. The 10-time All-Star’s value will never be higher this season, but Harden undoubtedly still has something to prove since he wants to get one final supermax contract.
Could Harden do what Kawhi Leonard did in Toronto by leading the Sixers to a championship, thus maxing his value, before bolting for greener pastures?
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But Morey could also see what the Brooklyn Nets got for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant and how the Portland Trail Blazers are playing Damian Lillard’s trade request and realize the NBA world is changing under the new CBA.
NBA execs have always been right to offload disgruntled players. However, they don’t have to cater to the player’s preferred trade destination, especially when a better deal can be had elsewhere.
Harden wants to play for the Clippers since he’s from LA, but they were the fourth-oldest team in the NBA last season and are still paying back picks from the Paul George trade four years ago.
Make no mistake: Harden is still likely to be traded and could even be dealt before training camp. Disgruntled players can poison a culture and torpedo promising seasons, and the 76ers are still one of the best teams in the East.
They could have their window elongated if Morey can acquire budding, young stars to complement Embiid.
Trading Harden to LA and collecting a haul will ensure Morey’s job in Philadelphia. But if Harden ends up staying, or lands anywhere but LA, it’ll continue an unsettling trend for NBA superstars.

Can Embiid, Maxey Take New-Look 76ers to New Heights?

Harden-76ers Saga Brings Player Empowerment Era Closer to Conclusion

BROOKLYN — Injuries doomed the Brooklyn Nets’ championship window.
Critics can cite egos or a toxic culture, but when you boil it all down, Brooklyn lost to Milwaukee in the 2021 playoffs because of leg injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Knee injuries to Kevin Durant in consecutive seasons led to each superstar exiting town via trade in a span of just 364 days.
So when Brooklyn lost two starters this season from a lineup that many deemed playoff-fringe at best, it could have cratered yet again.
Instead, the Nets appear poised to take off.
Brooklyn has won three of its past four games without guard Ben Simmons and leading scorer Cam Thomas and is 6-5 despite not yet having its full rotation together for any game this season.
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Brooklyn opened this campaign devoid of a superstar for the first time in four years. But general manager Sean Marks got valuable players like Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Spencer Dinwiddie plus draft picks while offloading Durant and Irving.
Thus, the Nets are offensively deeper than its opponent almost every night, with six players averaging double figures, led by Thomas’ 26.3, which ranks 12th in the league. Brooklyn ranks seventh in the league in offensive rating despite ranking 24th in offensive talent, according to ESPN BPI.
“I think it has a lot to do with the twins,” Dinwiddie said, referring to Bridges and Johnson, the super-close friends who have been teammates in both Phoenix and now Brooklyn since Johnson entered the league in 2019. “We kind of go as they go.”
The Nets’ success has also coincided with their improved defense. In two-plus seasons under previous coach Steve Nash, Brooklyn never finished better than 18th in points-against per game, but it has given up just 109 points per game over its past nine games where it has gone 6-3.
“We have phenomenal defenders up and down the roster,” Dinwiddie said. “You’ve Dennis Smith Jr. and Mikal Bridges at the point of attack, you’ve got Cam [Johnson] got [forward] Royce [O’Neale], and Dorian [Finney-Smith] on the wings; big-time defenders, and you’ve got Nic Claxton who is a possible [Defensive Player of the Year] type of candidate in the background.
“There’s athleticism and length, and the care factor is there for those guys.”
Brooklyn overcomes size and talent deficiencies by outworking its opposition. The Nets are third in the league in rebounds per game (47.5) without a 7-footer on their roster — its tallest player is Claxton, who checks in at 6-foot-11 but missed eight of the Nets’ first 11 games with an ankle injury.
“When we’re whole and healthy, we should have the length and versatility to be a top-10 defensive team,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn told <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/">The Game Day Basketball</a> before Tuesday’s victory over Orlando. “We’re incredibly rebounding at a top-five rate, which is unheard of for this group if you think about us last year.”
“That’s one of those things [Vaughn] preached was matching and exceeding that intensity level,” Dinwiddie said.
Ironically, Brooklyn has turned its lack of size into a strength. The Nets lure bigger defenders to guard the three-point line since they rank fifth in three-point percentage (40.6%), then use their quickness to get to the basket when those bigger defenders switch on screens.
“It’s a tough team to guard,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said after Milwaukee’s narrow, four-point win in Brooklyn on Nov. 6. “All their guards are fast, explosive, and are three-point threats, as well. So it presented some matchup difficulties for us just for that size and quickness.”
Simmons’ most recent back injury, a left-nerve impingement, could be a long-term factor, and Thomas’ sprained ankle probably will keep him out for at least a few more weeks. But if either returns and plays how he was — Simmons’ team-leading 10.8 rebounds per game would be ninth in the NBA if he qualified — the Nets could become even more dangerous.
But if either is resigned to the bench for long, the Nets still like their chances.
“I think the Brooklyn Nets have a strong core going forward,” Dinwiddie said. “As long as you can get the majority of those guys out there then we have a shot to win.”

With Depth &#038; Hard Work, Nets Appear Poised to Take Off

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Milwaukee Bucks are fully aware they haven’t looked like one of the NBA’s best teams yet this season.
The transition from Mike Budenholzer to rookie head coach Adrian Griffin has naturally had some bumps, and the Bucks are still ironing out the kinks of acclimating superstar guard Damian Lillard to their loaded roster.
But Milwaukee has won four of its first six games as of Nov. 7, despite its minus-18 point differential and 2-4 Pythagorean record. Led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are 3-0 in games decided by five points or less and are finding ways to win while they figure it out.
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“There’s a lot of things out there that are kind of murky, and it gets ugly at times because it’s just not natural for us as a unit,” Lillard said after Milwaukee’s 129-125 win over the Nets on Monday night.
“This is a part of it, especially early in the season, and we go back and watch film and [learn] a lot of lessons that we can take away, which you’d rather take away from a win rather than losing a game and looking back at what we could’ve done,” Lillard said.
The Bucks&#8217; defense and rebounding, both constants in Budenholzer’s five years as coach, have been major pain points this season. Milwaukee is 25th in the league in points-against per game (119.7) and is 29th in the league in total rebounds (40.5) despite posting a season-high 48 boards against Brooklyn.
“It’s been probably the biggest emphasis in the last couple of games, where our rebounding, in particular our defensive rebounding, needed to take a huge step,” Griffin said. “Your team is going to get better on whatever you focus on. … I thought they did a great job of carrying over everything we’ve been stressing the last couple of days.”
Plus, Lillard admitted to some uncertainty while trying to adjust to his new team. Despite sitting second on the Bucks in points per game (22.7), Lillard is averaging just 14.2 shots per game, which paces to be the fewest of the seven-time All-NBA’s 12-season career.
“A lot of the situations I’m in are just new to me,” Lillard said. “Just finding where I fit in where I can maximize who I am, and I haven’t really found that rhythm. I know how to play within what we’re doing and get stuff done, I just don’t know where I could find more opportunities for myself.”
Griffin himself called on Lillard to take more shots.
“He’s trying to be a great teammate. He’s trying to make the right reads,” Griffin said. “But at the same time, him shooting the ball is what we need. At times he’s done that, but at times you can see that he’s a little hesitant … he’s almost too unselfish at times.
“We just need him to be Dame.”
The league had better take its swings while the Bucks adjust to Griffin, Lillard is figuring it out, and swingman Khris Middleton eases back into the lineup after offseason knee surgery.
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Middleton has been on a minutes limit while recovering but has closed each of Milwaukee’s past two wins and scored a season-high 15 points in the Bucks’ victory in Brooklyn on Monday.
“It feels great just to be out there during winning time when the game is on the line,” Middleton said. “That’s where the best basketball is played and where good players come through, so being out there the last two games has been great.”
The Bucks may not be flying, but that surely won’t be the case much longer. The fact they keep winning while figuring it out is scary for the rest of the NBA.
“We show flashes of what we can become,” Griffin said. “There’s a lot of time ahead of us as far as building that chemistry, but it’s fun to see it come together.”
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<h2 id="trade">Lillard Trade Proves Bucks Won&#8217;t Settle for Regular-Season Success</h2>
Sept. 27, 2023
It may seem hard to believe, but it’s only been two-and-a-half years since the Milwaukee Bucks were NBA champions.
Some would argue winning a title gives teams a grace period. But life comes at you fast in the NBA world, and two straight title-empty seasons coupled with the threat of losing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo left executive Jon Horst desperate to keep his team’s window wide open.
So after months of speculation that the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat would land Damian Lillard, Horst swooped in and acquired the seven-time All-NBA guard in a blockbuster deal less than a week before training camps opened league-wide.
Given Milwaukee’s offseason, fans might forget it finished with the NBA’s best record last season. The Bucks may have won their second title in three seasons if not for Antetokounmpo’s back injury. Yet, they went all out to land Lillard, arguably the most clutch shooter of his generation, and fired coach Mike Budenholzer right after the playoffs.
But the Lillard trade comes just a month after Antetokounmpo sent a clear shot across the bow to Horst and the Bucks that he wasn’t going to stay there if they weren’t going to keep contending for a championship.
“I want to be a winner,” Antetokounmpo told the “48 Minutes” podcast in August. “I don’t want to get stuck in this lifetime about the same story [of the 2021 Finals.] I’m tired of hearing the same story over and over again.”
That the Bucks are enjoying a long, sustained period of excellence and won their only title since 1971 on the back of Antetokounmpo’s exceptionalism undoubtedly lit a fire under Horst to act.
The deal to trade useful rotation players like Jrue Holliday and Grayson Allen will affect Milwaukee’s depth and defense. But acquiring Lillard sends a message that the Bucks are not content with regular-season success, like bringing in Adrian Griffin to replace Budenholzer, who won 69.3% of his games in Milwaukee and that 2021 title.
Lillard just turned 33 and hasn’t participated in the NBA playoffs since that 2021 season, where Milwaukee ultimately raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But Trail Blazers fans surely won’t forget “Dame Time,” his nickname for his ability to make clutch shots, which is what made him renowned in Portland and across the NBA.
On his way out, he sent one final message to the people of Portland.
“The casuals won’t be addressed, but the Trail Blazers fans and City of Portland that I truly love will be,” Lillard tweeted shortly after the trade was reported. “Excited for my next chapter #Bucks.”

Despite Growing Pains, Bucks Find Way to Keep Winning

Lillard Trade Proves Bucks Won't Settle for Regular-Season Success

Heading into their first NBA In-Season Tournament game on Nov. 3, the New York Knicks have lost three of their first five games.
Dropping the second game of a back-to-back series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, last year’s playoff opponent whom they ousted, left an aura of disappointment and frustration around the team.
Cleveland was undermanned yet bounced back from a loss in the first game of two to outplay New York. Many observers consider the Knicks a second-tier team in the Eastern Conference. The oddsmakers don’t quite view New York as a top-five team in the East, as it has the sixth-best <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">odds to win the NBA&#8217;s Eastern Conference</a> at +1800 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Even if the Knickerbockers are not on the same level as the elite teams in the East, they are certainly better than what we have seen early this season, although many fans of the team are already irritated by the sluggish start.
In the NFL, reacting to single games is more understandable since there are only 17 games in a season, and it makes a lot less sense in baseball, with 162. Making judgments about NBA outlooks falls more in line with the baseball angle, as a five-game sample at the outset certainly does not define a seasonal outlook.
Here are eight prime reasons for Knicks fans to expect better results and overall play soon.
<h2>Eight Reasons to Expect New York Knicks&#8217; Turnaround</h2>
1. This Is Essentially The Same Team As Last Season: Most Knicks followers know this already but need a reminder that Donte DiVincenzo was New York’s only notable offseason acquisition. While the front office is exhibiting a patient approach to molding the team into a bonafide contender, obviously they believed that after winning 47 games and a playoff series, the current Knicks squad is good enough to at least replicate that type of success and won’t finish under or near .500.
2. The Shooting Will Surely Improve: A few points made in this article will work off the first item, as the Knicks have been guilty of creating too many loud clanging sounds early this season. New York is last in the NBA in field goal percentage (40%) after shooting 47% from the field last season, and the players on this team simply aren’t going to continue with their current efforts to rename the team “New York Bricks.”
3. Jalen Brunson Is In a Temporary Funk: Many shots that fell for Brunson in his first outstanding season with the Knicks simply are not dropping in the bucket so far, as he is shooting 37% from the field, well below his career mark of 49. The most impactful acquisition since Carmelo Anthony doesn’t get fazed by extra defensive attention, and still makes many tough and clutch shots when he is on his game. We will certainly see the “real” Brunson again soon. The early-season cold spell is just not sustainable for a player of his established caliber.
4. Julius Randle Should Find His Groove Again: A high percentage of the Knicks fan base is hard on Randle, as they seemingly expect him to be a prime catalyst on a deep playoff run. The reality is that he can be a key performer as a top complement to Brunson and another eventual significant acquisition if Randle remains in New York in the seasons ahead.
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The 28-year-old is more “star’ than “superstar” and fans who came down on Randle after his performance in last season’s playoffs have hopefully realized that he played through an ankle injury. Still, the two-time All-Star does not look like himself so far this season, as he has been hesitant to take open shots, and has forced others, and while he has fed his teammates well at times, Randle should inevitably regain much of his better form.
You don’t expect Randle to continue to shoot 27.6% from the floor and average 13.2 points per game, do you? Even the toughest critic of No. 30 won’t say so, while needing to realize the Knicks are still a player away from being among the best in the East, and should not expect Randle to carry a team to a title run heavily on his own while accepting his positives.
5. R.J. Barrett May Deliver His Best Season Yet: Barrett is dealing with a sore knee, yet once Brunson and Randle function more like their true selves, the fifth-year man who was drafted No. 3 overall might finally emerge as a major third piece in the offense. In the first four games of the season, Barrett has appeared to be more confident and authoritative than ever before, and he might be headed for a career season in 2022-23.
While the cold starts of Brunson and Randle are uncharacteristic, the early version of Barrett we have seen in four games looks like he could further elevate the team with his newfound stronger court presence. He is shooting 45.3% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range, and 81% from the free-throw line, which would all be career bests.
6. Mitchell Robinson Is Also Showing More Promise: The New York center has always been valuable when available, but foul trouble and injuries have sometimes prevented him from functioning as a reliable presence. Early this season, Robinson is averaging 1.8 personal fouls per game, compared to 2.7 in each of the last two campaigns, and he has become a larger presence in the paint.
The New York pivot is leading the NBA in offensive rebounds at six per game, and his 11.4 rebounds per game easily soars past the career mark of 7.9. Robinson has eight blocks in his last four games, and while the 2018 second-round draft pick has often been a rock under the hoop, he is more active than ever early on.
7. The Second Unit Can Be A Big Strength: Immanuel Quickley continues to perform as one of the premier sixth men in the league, and Josh Hart is an established significant contributor to the team’s success. DiVincenzo is working below his career averages in most key categories so far, yet he will be a real spark plug and fan favorite once he settles in.
Isaiah Hartenstein has started off the season well, too. His tenacity has not been completely reflected in the early numbers, and he has found a home in New York as a high-motor guy who chips in wherever needed and is willing to bang with anyone on defense.
8. Hunger Can Spur Impatience: The Knicks are the most universally loved pro sports team in the New York market, as it is much more of a two-team town in the NFL, MLB, and the NHL. The Giants, Yankees, and Rangers are more popular than their neighbors, but the Nets clearly have the smallest pro sports fan base of any New York team when compared to their closest residents.
It has been 50 years since the Knicks won it all and almost a quarter century since they were a true contender, and a championship from them might spur the biggest unified sports celebration ever seen in New York. The decision-makers are progressively building toward that eventual goal, so a five-game stretch at the beginning of the season isn’t going to blow the boat off its careful course.
The current version of the Knicks is a proven respectable playoff team. Fans should enjoy the journey, even though so many years of frustration over the past two decades can lead to natural exasperation at times, and a few weeks from now, the 2-3 start may be forgotten.
Scott Engel is a past winner of the New York Knicks High School Sports Writing Award.

The Real New York Knicks Will Re-Emerge Soon

The Los Angeles Clippers have all the makings of a super team.
Their roster now features two former league MVPs, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and 27 collective All-NBA appearances. Their coach has a .584 career win percentage, three Finals appearances, and oversaw a title-winner that upset arguably the greatest team of all time.
So why doesn’t the public believe the Clippers are a championship contender?
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In acquiring James Harden in a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia 76ers early Tuesday morning, LA president Lawrence Frank brought in one of the greatest players in league history.
Harden is a 10-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA performer, three-time scoring champ, and two-time assist leader. He’s also still on the right side of 35.
Plus, Frank offloaded just two rotation players, Robert Covington and Nicolas Batum, who have combined for 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game — and each player is in his 30s and on an expiring contract.
There are questions about the Clippers’ age and future since Frank parted with future draft capital. There are concerns about Harden’s commitment since he’s about to play for his fourth team in less than four years.
However, Harden should be ready to roll playing in his preferred destination — and at home, since he was born in Los Angeles and played at Artesia High School in Lakewood, California, which retired his number in 2021.
Plus, Year 1 of the Harden experience has been an unmitigated success in each of his two prior stops. He carried the Brooklyn Nets to the East’s No. 2 seed in 2020-21 by averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 assists, and 8.6 rebounds in 36 games.
If not for his hamstring injury or Kevin Durant’s infamous toe on the line in Game 7 vs the Bucks, Brooklyn may have won the title that season.
He also dominated during his 79-game tenure with the 76ers, scoring 21 points while adding 10-plus rebounds and more than six boards per game in parts of two seasons.
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Questions about his work ethic persist, but Harden has averaged at least 35 minutes per game in 11 straight seasons. If he shows up in shape, Harden will take some of the load off fellow veteran superstars Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook.
Cynics say Harden has a knack for disappearing in the playoffs. The hamstring injury for Brooklyn was proof of this, as was his dreadful final two games in Philadelphia’s seven-game series loss to Boston last spring. His critics would say he hasn’t won a championship for a reason.
But that’s where Harden can lean on guys like Leonard, who carried a far inferior cast to the 2019 title in Toronto; or George, who can play more freely without the pressure of being a No. 1 or No. 2 option.
Every NBA lead dog wants to be the alpha, but basketball is a team game. If one or two of LA’s superstars struggle, there’s still at least two more to pick up the slack — or role players like P.J. Tucker, also acquired with Harden, who seems to be playing deep into the postseason each year.
Maybe the cynicism stems from the beaten-down Clippers fans, who haven’t even seen their team in the Finals in 54 years of play between Buffalo, San Diego, and now the City of Angels.
But the Nuggets had never been to the Finals, either, until they got over the hump and won it all this past spring. The Bucks had gone 50 years between titles before Giannis Antetokounmpo carried them to their championship in 2021. The Phoenix Suns still have never won a championship, but that hasn’t stopped their fans from buying in.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not guaranteeing a Clippers title parade. The Western Conference is loaded. The Nuggets and Suns pose legitimate threats, and the Warriors and Lakers are still looming as well.
But if you’re a Clippers fan who was unmoved by the decision to acquire a superstar player for spare parts, don’t listen to the critics. It’s okay to buy in and believe the hype.

Despite Critics, Harden Trade Boosts Clippers to Title-Contender Status

The NBA off-season has had its fair share of drama. But the regular season is now on the horizon.
The league announced its regular-season schedule Thursday after the format and schedule for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament trickled out earlier in the week.
Here’s a look at 10 regular-season games I can’t wait to watch.
<h2>Top 10 NBA Games to Watch This Season</h2>
<h3>1. Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings</h3>
<h4>Golden 1 Center, Friday, Oct. 27 (10 p.m. ET; ESPN)</h4>
Separated by just 88 miles and on the heels of their classic seven-game first-round series this past spring, the NoCal rivals will renew acquaintances in Sacramento’s home opener.
Given the intensity Kings fans bring and the fact these teams should both be highly competitive again with Golden State adding guard Chris Paul, this should be one of the early season’s must-watch games.
<h3>2. Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks</h3>
<h4>Fiserv Forum, Monday, Oct. 30 (8 p.m. ET; NBA League Pass)</h4>
You can bet Bucks fans circled this one from the minute the schedule was unveiled. Jimmy Butler and Miami memorably shocked top-seeded Milwaukee, who was without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injury.
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Miami, which used the upset first-round win to reach the Finals, could be even better this season. But with Antetokounmpo back healthy and Bucks fans undoubtedly coming for vengeance, the atmosphere should be electric.
<h3>3. San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets</h3>
<h4>Ball Arena, Sunday, Nov. 26 (8 p.m. ET; NBA League Pass)</h4>
The hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama is enormous, but we’ll see how he fares against the consensus best big man in the game, Nikola Jokić.
Wembanyama and the Spurs will surely need time to grow before they can challenge the likes of the defending NBA champs. But it’ll be fun to see how they match up.
<h3>4. Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns</h3>
<h4>Footprint Center, Friday, Dec. 1 (10 p.m. ET; ESPN)</h4>
Speaking of tests, the Suns spent the entire offseason loading up to unseat the Nuggets. Phoenix added Bradley Beal to their star-studded lineup, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton, with Frank Vogel as coach.
But Denver’s depth won out over Phoenix’s star power in the six-game second-round playoff series in the spring. Add the drama of Jokić shoving Suns owner Mat Ishbia during Game 4 of that postseason series, and these are two teams that don’t seem to like each other.
<ul>
<li>Can Denver repeat? Check out our latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds &amp; best bets</a>.</li>
</ul>
I can’t wait to see whether Denver still holds an advantage over Phoenix or if the Suns can take over as the best in the West.
<h3>5. NBA Cup Championship: Teams TBD</h3>
<h4>T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, Dec. 9 (Time &amp; Broadcast Schedule TBD)</h4>
The inaugural in-season tournament has me curious.
How will coaches manage their rosters, knowing the tournament games will also count towards their regular-season records?
How will the travel to Las Vegas for the semifinals and championship affect teams from the East? What will the celebration be like for the team that wins?
It should be fascinating and could revolutionize North American sports. Personally, I’m rooting for an upstart from one conference — someone like Charlotte, Houston, San Antonio, Washington, or the like — to meet up against a titan from the other conference like Phoenix, Boston, Miami, Denver, Milwaukee, or Golden State.
<h3>6. Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets</h3>
<h4>Ball Arena, Monday, Dec. 25 (2:30 p.m. ET; ABC/ESPN)</h4>
This matchup will be the second of a five-game Christmas slate. Although Celtics-Lakers is in the marquee TV window, I think Dubs-Nuggets will be the most competitive game.
These are arguably the two best teams in the West. This contest features the two most recent Western Conference champs and two multi-time MVP winners in Jokić and Stephen Curry, making this an enticing appetizer before Christmas dinner.
<h3>7. Miami Heat @ Portland Trail Blazers</h3>
<h4>Moda Center, Tuesday, Feb. 27 (10 p.m. ET; TNT)</h4>
TNT picked this game up due to the potential for it to be Damian Lillard’s return to Portland. Lillard requested a trade from the Blazers and has reportedly told Portland management his preferred destination is South Florida.
If Lillard ultimately lands with Butler and the Heat, they’ll be must-watch TV most nights. But this game will get all the attention, especially to see how the Portland fans receive the long-time superstar’s return.
<h3>8. Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers</h3>
<h4>Crypto.com Arena, Wednesday, Feb. 28 (10 p.m. ET; ESPN)</h4>
These teams should be two of the best in the Western Conference yet again, and the all-LA matchups are always extremely entertaining.
But barring a playoff meeting between these teams, this will be the last time the Lakers and Clippers square off as cohabitants at the arena formerly known as Staples Center. The Clips are getting set to move into the Intuit Dome in Inglewood for the 2024-25 season, marking the end of the clubs’ 24-year tenure as roommates.
<h3>9. Boston Celtics @ Phoenix Suns</h3>
<h4>Footprint Center, Saturday, March 9 (8:30 p.m. ET; ABC)</h4>
These teams will meet twice in less than a week in what should be a pair of potential NBA Finals previews.
Boston, the preseason favorite in the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/east/">NBA Eastern Conference betting odds</a>, came a single game shy of winning the East in 2023, and Phoenix has the second-shortest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/west/">NBA Western Conference betting odds</a> and is loaded entering the 2023-24 season.
I’ll have my sights set on both games, but the affair in Phoenix will be on national TV and falls on the last Saturday of the dead of winter — the week before NCAA conference tournaments heat up — making it a slightly more compelling draw.
<h3>10. Los Angeles Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers</h3>
<h4>Wells Fargo Center, Wednesday, March 27 (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN)</h4>
Given the likelihood James Harden is still ultimately traded to the Clippers, this is poised to be his first game back in Philadelphia in a visiting uniform.
Sixers fans are Philadelphia sports fans, and they are infamous for their vitriol toward rival players. That holds especially true for ex-Philadelphia players — if you aren’t sure, just ask Ben Simmons how he was treated in his return to Wells Fargo Center.
If Harden is dealt elsewhere, this matchup could simply be an NBA Finals preview featuring Joel Embiid against Kawhi Leonard and Co., which would still make it must-see TV.

NBA Schedule 2023-24 | Top 10 Games To Watch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for NBA fans.
Sure, the regular season and playoffs are where the actual action is, but the offseason soap opera is what fans have come to enjoy most about the basketball year — provided your team isn’t on the wrong side of things.
This is the first offseason under the new rules of the newly-enacted collective bargaining agreement, which will change the way executives approach roster management.
Although there are still a couple of extremely high-profile trade requests — we’ll cover each below — it should be mostly quiet on the NBA front until training camps open.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top five winners and losers from the NBA offseason.
<h2>NBA Free Agency Winners</h2>
<h3>Damian Lillard</h3>
By requesting a trade, Lillard took control of his fate. After years of lugging the Trail Blazers to contention, Lillard is almost certainly going to play for a championship contender (likely Miami) to create an All-NBA pairing with reigning Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jimmy Butler.
<ul>
<li>Bet on basketball with the best <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Heat, who have been to the Finals twice in the past four seasons, appear to be the frontrunners to land the superstar guard. Miami will almost certainly become the title favorite if/when it lands Lillard, but we can’t call it the winner until it does so.
<h3>Phoenix Suns</h3>
The Mat Ishbia era is off to a cracking start.
First, the Suns landed Kevin Durant at the trade deadline before turning 38-year-old Chris Paul and spare parts into Bradley Beal, who is just two years removed from averaging 31.3 points per game and should be rejuvenated playing for a championship contender.
Sure, Phoenix is way over the new second luxury-tax apron, which will hamper GM James Jones’ ability to craft his roster in-season.
However, the Suns have never won a title, and that’s reason enough for them to go all-in. In fact, the Valley of the Sun has only one men’s pro-sports championship, the 2001 Diamondbacks, to its credit.
<h3>Houston Rockets</h3>
It’s been a painful three seasons for Rockets fans, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Houston looks poised to make the leap, if not this year then not far down the road.
The Rockets added two of the top free agents, point guard Fred VanVleet and swingman Dillon Brooks and the top free agent coach, Ime Udoka, to a young, extremely talented core that seemed to come together down the stretch last season.
Houston reportedly told James Harden it wasn’t interested when the superstar guard requested a trade, opting instead to sign VanVleet.
If they want to supercharge their rebuild, the Rockets have the assets to go get a star of Harden’s caliber, since they own the Nets’ first- and second-round picks in 2024 as well as their first in 2026 and a pick-swap option in 2025.
<h3>Draymond Green</h3>
Green continues to win in spite of detractors and naysayers. The 33-year-old two-time All-NBA forward and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year landed the proverbial bag, with a four-year, $100 million deal from the Golden State Warriors.
<ul>
<li>See where the Warriors sit in the latest <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/finals/">NBA Finals odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
Green also won the in-house battle against Jordan Poole, a younger and far more offensively potent player. Poole, who reportedly had beef with multiple Warriors (but none higher profile than Green), was shipped out to the Wizards for Paul on June 22.
<h3>San Antonio Spurs</h3>
The Spurs are the biggest winners of the offseason, landing a bonafide unicorn in Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
San Antonio is about to become a destination again. You can bet high-profile free agents will want to play with Wembanyama, the favorite in the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/rookie/">NBA Rookie of the Year odds</a>,  similar to how LeBron James was in Cleveland.
Plus, adding Wembanyama alongside small forward Keldon Johnson and coached by Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich, will at least make the Spurs a more competitive club.
<h2>NBA Free Agency Losers</h2>
<h3>James Harden</h3>
Harden is becoming the poster child for fans who denounce the player-empowerment era. Yes, he’s an ultra-talented former MVP who puts up near-incomprehensible regular-season numbers, but he’s becoming notorious for his historic offseason numbers as well.
Harden has now requested a trade from three different organizations in a span of 30 months after picking up his one-year player option and asking out of Philadelphia.
Harden would ultimately lose out on millions since he restructured his deal to a more team-friendly number for the Sixers last offseason and could further lose credibility if Philly doesn’t end up trading him.
If the 76ers trade him, whichever team acquires the seven-time All-NBA guard will be Harden’s fourth team in less than three seasons. Each fan base has been underwhelmed by his output, especially in the playoffs, since Harden has only reached the Finals once.
<h3>Toronto Raptors</h3>
Somehow, it’s only been four years since the Raptors won it all, yet Toronto will look like a shell of its former self in 2023-24 after parting ways with coach Nick Nurse and watching VanVleet bolt for Houston.
Not only is the Raptors’ identity shaken, but GM Masai Ujiri is paying the penalty for going for it. Toronto owes San Antonio two first-round picks — its picks are top-six protected — and at least one second-rounder in the Jakob Poeltl trade.
That could lead to two straight drafts without a selection for a club that finished 41-41 and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference play-in.
With Nurse and VanVleet gone, Ujiri could be forced into reloading, which is why rumors are swirling about a Pascal Siakam trade.
At least the Raps got their ring.
<h3>Kyrie Irving</h3>
Irving got his max contract from the Dallas Mavericks, but between the new CBA — which severely punishes teams for overspending the second luxury-tax apron — and his own self-induced drama, Irving cost himself an opportunity to get a max from a preferred destination, like the Lakers.
It’s always possible a player of Irving’s talent level and league-wide popularity can force a trade — he’s done so twice in his career — but the new CBA will limit club flexibility.
Plus, the Mavericks went 8-12 in Irving’s 20 games last season, and he didn’t seem to fit with <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/mvp/">NBA MVP odds</a> favorite Luka Dončić. Who knows how Dallas will be over 82 games with the mercurial guard — especially since it will owe the Knicks a first-round pick that’s not in the top 10.
<h3>Washington Wizards</h3>
The Wizards traded their two best players this offseason in Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis. Somehow, they could not fetch a better haul than Poole, Landry Shamet, Tyus Jones, four first-round pick swaps with Phoenix, a protected first-rounder in 2030 from Golden State, and a collection of second-rounders in return.
<ul>
<li>See why Jordan Poole is a contender in our <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/most-improved/">NBA Most Improved Player odds</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Wizards have missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons and have not won a postseason round since 2017, and now appear to be fully committing to a rebuild. Plus, as if the cupboard didn’t look bare enough, the Wizards could end up owing their 2024 first-round pick to the Knicks from the John Wall trade in 2020.
<h3>Teams With Cap Space</h3>
Free agents like Irving could’ve gotten a max contract from a bulk of suitors, but he was looking at signing with clubs like the Pistons, Pacers, Magic, Jazz, Thunder, or Spurs.
The Rockets were the sole club to pony up big bucks and get its desired free agents, but otherwise, teams with space went largely unchanged. Detroit settled for acquiring Joe Harris from Brooklyn, and Indiana overpaid useful role player Bruce Brown with a two-year contract.
If you’re a destination organization, like the Suns, Lakers, Celtics, or Heat, a player can command his own way there via trade since teams have become adept at pulling off complex, multi-team trades.
However, between the new CBA and player empowerment, it’s difficult to build a roster in free agency.
Other sports have proven free agency is an inefficient way to acquire talent. The NBA may be finally catching up to that as well.

NBA Free Agency: Winners, Losers of Early Offseason Moves

The Denver Nuggets have been the best team in the parity-laden Western Conference all season. Yet, to the basketball world, the only thing more shocking than their inaugural trip to the NBA Finals is the ease with which they got there.
The Nuggets, the top seed in the West, have a 12-3 record in these playoffs and are heavy favorites to defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Still, they have overcome loud doubters from around the country and reached the championship round in the face of pundits who predicted teams like the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, or Golden State Warriors to advance.
“The national media has a lot to do with that,” Nuggets play-by-play broadcaster on Altitude TV Chris Marlowe told <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/">The Game Day Basketball</a>. “The bigger stories are the Lakers, the Warriors, Kevin Durant, and the Phoenix Suns, and those topics seem to be the topics people want to talk about. They don’t seem to want to talk about the great year the Denver Nuggets are having.”
Part of the media perception stemmed from a wide-open Western Conference where nine teams finished above .500, and the difference between finishing fourth and ninth was just three games. To many, there didn’t appear to be a dominant team, outside of maybe the Suns, which left the door open for LeBron James’ Lakers or Stephen Curry and the defending-champion Warriors to get hot and steal the conference crown.
But the Nuggets won 53 games, tied for the fifth-most in their 47-season NBA history, and finished two games ahead of No. 2 Memphis. They ascended from the muddled middle to the class of the Western Conference for good around Christmas, with a convincing 105-91 win over the Grizzlies on Dec. 20.
“This is the most talented team the Nuggets have had, the best-blended team, the deepest team. Camaraderie-wise, they are a terrific bunch of guys,” Marlowe said. “The Western Conference was jumbled. The one constant was the Denver Nuggets.”
The 2023 postseason may be looked back on as the end of the superteam era and the dawn of the one-plus-many age since both finalists feature an All-NBA superstar flanked by capable-yet-unheralded role players. This sentiment is especially true for Denver since it advanced to the Finals with Nikola Jokić and his supporting cast taking down a pair of superteams, Phoenix and the Lakers, on the way.
<ul>
<li>Read Pat&#8217;s piece on <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/celtics/">the Boston Celtics</a>&#8216; uncertainty following their Game 7 loss to the Heat.</li>
</ul>
Ironically, Jokić, a two-time MVP and five-time All-NBA performer, guided the Nuggets to the Finals in the season he was not named MVP. Still, Jokić has had another other-worldly postseason, averaging a triple-double (29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists) and unanimously earning Western Conference MVP honors.
“That he&#8217;s never changed,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said when asked what he’s most proud of Jokić for. “I think we all see it in all walks of life. How does fame, fortune affect you? For most people, it goes to their head, and they become something different. Sometimes they forget where they&#8217;ve come from and who helped them get to where they&#8217;ve gotten to, …  but through all the success, the MVPs, the max contracts, all that stuff, he&#8217;s still the same guy.”
But Jokić still can’t do it alone. General manager Calvin Booth has assembled an elite collection of talent to complement the core of Jokić, underrated guard Jamal Murray, and holdover forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.
“There’s no other player that’s more valuable to his team than [Jokić] is, but he has a great group of complementary players that seem to fit perfectly,” Marlowe said. “I think the Nuggets have the components there. They have All-Star caliber players, but nobody besides Nikola Jokić has ever made an All-Star team. This is their chance to shine.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, acquired from Washington in the offseason, is one of the few Nuggets with NBA Finals experience — he won a ring in the bubble with the 2020 Lakers — and is averaging 11.7 points per game in the playoffs. Bruce Brown, brought in from Brooklyn, has contributed 12.2 points and four rebounds per game off the bench while playing his signature stout defense.
“I think it&#8217;s pretty well known now the guys [Booth] brought in are a huge part of the reason we&#8217;re in the Finals,” Porter said. “Obviously [Caldwell-Pope] and Bruce being two of those guys. … Those guys&#8217; attitude and leadership is just part of the reason why we&#8217;re doing so well. Finding a group of guys that mesh in the locker room is a big part of winning. I think Calvin did a great job of that.”
But the basketball world didn’t recognize Denver’s collective greatness until its second-round showdown with Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and the highly touted Suns. Phoenix, which won the West in 2021, went all in by acquiring Durant from the Nets in February and entered the playoffs as the <a href="https://thegamedaybasketball.com/odds/">NBA betting odds</a> favorite to win the conference  — even ahead of Denver.
Though Paul injured his groin in Game 2, the Nuggets took it to Phoenix. Denver handily won the first two games, ground out a 16-point win in Game 5, and clinched a conference-finals berth with a 125-100 road victory in Game 6.
Denver’s depth shined as six players averaged double-figures in the series, whereas Phoenix heavily relied on the duo of Durant and Booker to score. The loss shook up the Suns’ organization, leaving coach Monty Williams fired when the dust settled.
“Everybody pointed to them as the best team in the West, and the Nuggets handled them relatively easily,” Marlowe said. “After that happened, I thought there was a really good chance this team could go all the way.”
The Nuggets entered the Finals on a six-game winning streak after sweeping James and the Lakers, who they were only a 60-40 pre-series favorite against, according to Vegas sportsbooks. However, perception is finally on Denver’s side, with oddsmakers giving it an 80% chance of winning the title.
But whether the Nuggets get their due nationally doesn’t matter to the team as long as they get to hang that elusive first championship banner in the rafters at Ball Arena.
“Just to be a part of history with the Denver Nuggets making their first Finals appearance, winning their first NBA championship,” Caldwell-Pope said after practice Monday, “I feel like I&#8217;m more excited about that than anything.”

Despite Dominant Season, Nuggets Fly Under National Radar En Route to First NBA Finals

For most professional sports organizations, the Boston Celtics’ past seven seasons would be cause for celebration.
Boston has made five final-four appearances, won the Eastern Conference in 2022, and developed a wildly successful core led by guards Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart and forward Jayson Tatum.
But the Celtics aren’t most teams. They don’t hang banners for Eastern Conference championships or regular-season division titles. They reserve the rafters at TD Garden for world championship teams, and they have an NBA-high 17 banners hanging from the roof.
That means, despite a 57-win season, Tatum and Brown earning All-NBA honors, and Malcolm Brogdon winning Sixth Man of the Year, the 2022-23 season, which ended with a 103-84 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday, was a failure.
And it looks like these Celtics are, once again, at a crossroads with questions abound.
Will first-year coach Joe Mazzulla survive? Will president Brad Stevens try to run back offloaded money so that he can re-sign Brown, who will be supermax-extension eligible before entering the final year of his contract, or deal the shooting guard who had another solid postseason yet wilted in the conference finals against Miami?
Perhaps, most importantly, is how can the Celtics create a sense of urgency before their backs reach the wall. They were 5-1 while facing elimination in 2023 but created unnecessary hurdles with their lackadaisical play that put them in those positions.
The Celtics may have lost Game 7 at TD Garden and had their season end in the playoffs at home for the second straight campaign. But make no mistake, Boston lost the series by falling behind 3-0, thus creating no margin for error. The players even admitted such after Game 7.
“The hole we put ourselves in, it’s hard,” Brogdon said. “No one’s climbed out of that hole. I thought we showed how resilient we were, how good of a team we are, climbing out of it partially. But not being able to finish it on your home floor, that’s super-disappointing.”
Boston fans woke up calling for Mazzulla’s head Tuesday, and there were points where he was clearly overmatched by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. But don’t expect Mazzulla, who guided the team through the shaky terrain of Ime Udoka’s sudden departure to the brink of a historic playoff performance, to be let go after one season.
Not only did the 34-year-old coach Boston to its most wins since 2009, but he improved as the playoffs went on.
“I don&#8217;t think people give him, or us, enough credit that two days before [the] season starts, we find out we’re going to have a new coach,” Tatum said. “We won 50-some-odd games. We got to the Game 7 Conference Finals. Obviously, everybody can be better, learn from this. But I think Joe did a great job this year.”
Plus, he certainly endeared himself to the players by taking responsibility for the club’s questionable effort in the first three games.
“It’s on me to be better for them so they play harder,” Mazzulla said after Boston’s 128-102 loss in Game 3. “I didn’t put them in the right mentality to be ready, and it’s my job to make sure they’re connected and that they’re ready to play, and I didn’t do that.”
So the question becomes what to do with Brown, who is due a five-year, $295 million supermax extension after earning second-team All-NBA honors. Brown will be 27 in October and is coming off an uneven postseason where he was Boston’s second-leading scorer (22.7ppg) but capped a disappointing conference finals with a 19-point, eight-rebound, five-assist, eight-turnover game in Game 7.
“We failed. I failed,” Brown said. “We let the whole city down.”
Ironically, the Celtics reportedly passed on acquiring Kevin Durant in the 2022 offseason when the Brooklyn Nets asked for Brown as the headliner yet could be required to part with him due to budding financial implications. The freshly agreed-upon collective-bargaining agreement, which takes effect July 1, will severely punish teams that overspend the luxury tax.
If Boston signs Brown to his extension, even though it won’t take effect until 2024, it will be committing to both him and a limited roster for the foreseeable future.
Making the picture even murkier is the fact Tatum is two years younger and also can sign a five-year supermax extension after 2024. But before Stevens and the rest of Boston start packing Brown’s bags, Tatum made sure to speak up for his embattled teammate.
“He’s one of the best players in this league,” Tatum said of Brown. “He plays both ends of the ball and still is relatively young, and he&#8217;s accomplished a lot so far in his career. So, I think it&#8217;s extremely important [for Boston to sign him].”
Presumably, the Celtics’ window is still wide open, even with Brown’s uncertainty. Stevens could choose to run it back, citing Tatum’s unfortunate ankle injury in Game 7, Brogdon’s elbow-tendon tear, and the fact Boston did not have prize free agent Danilo Gallinari due to a knee injury.
But there’s a new cloud of doubt surrounding the Celtics after another championship-less team, and it’s safe to wonder if this core will ever scale the mountain and bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Boston.

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