Betting on NBA futures can go a long way. Since you’re placing a wager on an outcome that’s typically well off in the distance, the returns are higher. You’re less likely to hit on your bet for that reason, but there’s value in knowing your wager is a long shot; it allows you to experiment and take chances you otherwise wouldn’t, which can in turn make this an even more lucrative venture.
NBA Futures Lines
The key to betting NBA futures is remaining up to date with all the odds. They are fluid, fluctuating throughout the season, oftentimes daily.
Potential returns will be at their highest for most teams before the season starts. That’s when you’re taking the biggest risk, because, technically, you don’t know what a team is or how well it will play. Once sportsbooks have had time to adjust, the odds of the best possible options will worsen because they’re more established.
There are a few exceptions, though. Let’s start with the 2023 NBA champion, which is the Denver Nuggets, following the 2022/23 campaign.
Their odds will always be less than flattering ahead of the season. That’s what happens for current title-holders unless they totally blow up their roster. They are the most recent standard for excellence and, more often than not, will be listed as one of the two favorites entering the next year.
The other thing you can try doing is capitalizing on teams who fall down in a playoff series.
For example, if the San Antonio Spurs fall into a 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 series hole against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, their odds for that best-of-seven set will be tilted toward larger returns. This, quite obviously, will be because they are far less likely to win the series in question.
Still: If you believe the Spurs are going to turn it around and advance, that’s when you strike during the middle of the postseason. Just make sure you’re absolutely certain in their ability to come back. You don’t want to be investing in a team only to find out they have a key injury to Kawhi Leonard or something. (Which, incidentally, is the case in these Western Conference Finals. He injured his left ankle in Game 1, and no one is sure when he’ll return. It’s important to factor this into your betting strategy.)
Also consider wagering a manageable amount. You don’t want to use a mid-series underdog play to recoup losses on other bets you might have whiffed. Gamble money you expect to lose, so that it’s like found cash if you win!
NBA Futures Betting Predictions
Let's take a look at the outright winner for 2022/23.
NBA Champion 2023: Denver Nuggets (-1000)
The 2023 NBA Finals featured the Denver Nuggets defeating the Miami Heat in five games for their first championship in franchise history after 47 seasons in the NBA. Nikola Jokic was named NBA Finals MVP, averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field.
The Nuggets earned the #1 seed in the West while the Heat clinched the #8 seed in the East after barely qualifying for the playoffs with a 44-38 record. However, Miami defeated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and later beat the Boston Celtics in 7 games in the conference finals to reach the NBA Finals as a #8 seed for the first time since 1999.
Meanwhile, Denver reached their first-ever NBA Finals after getting healthy seasons from stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. With MVP Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the conference finals to make the championship round.
The Finals matchup was historic, with Denver looking to win their first-ever title and Miami trying to pull off a Cinderella run as the lowest seed ever in the Finals. In the end, the Nuggets prevailed behind Jokic's dominance to capture the first title in franchise history.
Now, let's explore the predictions for the outright winner for 2023-2024:
NBA Champion 2024: Milwaukee Bucks (+400)
The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2023-2024 season as favorites to win the NBA championship at +400 odds. After a disappointing early playoff exit last season, the Bucks made a major move by trading for Damian Lillard to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, forming one of the most formidable duos in the league.
With Lillard and Antetokounmpo leading the way and Khris Middleton returning from injury, the Bucks boast arguably the most talented roster top-to-bottom in the NBA. They ranked 1st in rebounding, 12th in offense, 4th in defense, and 8th in scoring last season, and the addition of Lillard should provide a boost to their offensive power.
At +400 odds to win the championship, the Bucks offer solid betting value. Their impressive roster and top duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard make Milwaukee a smart futures bet for any basketball fan looking for a team to back in the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
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