NBA Season Preview: Celtics Favored to Win Championship, Knicks Make Big Splash
The wait is finally over, and the NBA season is set to tip off with a bang. The Boston Celtics enter the season as the favorites to win the championship, but they’re not the only team making waves. The New York Knicks have made significant roster moves, and their title odds have seen a slight adjustment.
Title Contenders Galore
For the third consecutive year, the Celtics are the top dogs, attracting steady support from bettors. However, they’re not alone. Seven teams have title odds of 10-1 or shorter, the most entering the season since 1999-2000. The Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota Timberwolves all have legitimate shots at the championship.
Bronny James: The Betting Sensation
Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, is creating a stir in the betting world. Despite being a long shot to win Rookie of the Year at 300-1, he’s attracted more bets than any other candidate at multiple sportsbooks. The Los Angeles Lakers’ young star has even drawn seven times more bets to win Rookie of the Year than his dad has drawn to win MVP.
MVP Odds: Luka Leads the Pack
Luka Doncic is the consensus favorite to win MVP, but other contenders are gaining traction. Jayson Tatum, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all drawn early support from bettors. Wembanyama is also the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year and has garnered attention for Most Improved Player.
Load Management: The Betting Conundrum
Load management is becoming an increasingly important factor in betting lines. With star players like Joel Embiid announcing they’ll likely sit out back-to-back games, bettors need to be aware of the impact on win totals and individual awards. This has led to a focus on younger players, who are more likely to play a full 82-game schedule.
Odds & Ends
- Victor Wembanyama is 12-1 to record a quadruple double in the regular season and +130 to score 50-plus points in a game.
- The Atlanta Hawks, Knicks, 76ers, Utah Jazz, and Orlando Magic have all seen significant action on their season-win totals.
- Luka Doncic has the highest over/under on individual points per game this season at 33.5.
- The Lakers have been involved in more games that went over the total than any other team the past three seasons.
- The Brooklyn Nets have the worst record against the spread at home, covering just 39.3% of games in Brooklyn.
Get ready for what promises to be an exciting NBA season!
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