The NBA never sleeps, and that was evident in the wee hours of the morning when mercurial superstar James Harden was finally traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to his preferred destination, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Entering the season, the Clippers had the 10th-shortest odds to win the title at +2700. After the trade, they find themselves with the fifth-shortest odds of +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total) at BetMGM.
While it remains to be seen how Harden will fit in with the dynamic trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, fans and bettors alike are keeping a sharp eye on the title hopes of Los Angeles’s second-favorite team in the loaded Western Conference.
For Philadelphia, their odds have also shortened as they moved from +2700 before opening night to +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) following news of the trade. They now have the third-shortest odds in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, who had already undergone seismic odds shifts with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, respectively.
The Denver Nuggets (+500) and Phoenix Suns (+700) are still considered the best teams in the Western Conference after the first week.
As for the team that lost the most ground during opening week, that distinction falls with the Memphis Grizzlies, who have seen their odds lengthen from +2400 all the way to +4500 after a disastrous four-game losing streak to start the season without superstar Ja Morant.
With all the moving and shaking, how is one able to make sense of it all?
Thankfully, FOX Sports NBA Analyst Ric Bucher gave his prediction for the NBA Finals prior to the Association’s tip-off, and as he sees it, neither the Celtics or Bucks will claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Let’s take a look at the title odds for every team in the league and his thoughts as the regular season continues.
CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS FOR 2023-24 NBA SEASON*:
Boston Celtics: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Denver Nuggets: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Phoenix Suns: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
LA Clippers: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Golden State Warriors: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Philadelphia 76ers: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Miami Heat: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Sacramento Kings: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Memphis Grizzlies: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
New York Knicks: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
New Orleans Pelicans +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Oklahoma City Thunder: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Atlanta Hawks: +7500 (bet $10 to win $7600 total)
Toronto Raptors: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Chicago Bulls: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Indiana Pacers: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Orlando Magic: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010)
Charlotte Hornets: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Utah Jazz: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Houston Rockets: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Detroit Pistons: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Portland Trail Blazers: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Washington Wizards: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
* Odds as of 10/31/2023
RELATED: It’s title or bust for Nuggets, Bucks, Celtics, Suns
FOX Sports NBA Analyst Ric Bucher’s picks:
“Yes, the Nuggets lost a couple of key contributors in Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, but they also have a core that is in its prime, signed through next season — meaning no personal contract agendas — and is now bolstered by the collective understanding of exactly what it takes to win it all. That puts them on par with the current nuclei in Golden State and Milwaukee.
“The difference? Those teams are exiting their prime. The Nuggets are entering it. Oh, and they have a 7-foot riddle, Nikola Jokić, for which no one in the league appears to have the answer.”
Long-shot bet to make playoffs
“The Thunder are currently the 11th-best team in the Western Conference, based on their odds to win the conference title. That almost certainly won’t be where they are at season’s end. I would count on them being one of the eight playoff contestants, even if it requires coming in through the Play-In Tournament.
“The depth and versatility of their roster, led by All-Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, defensive stopper Lu Dort, Inspector Gadget Chet Holmgren and crafty Josh Giddey, might be one of the league’s best-kept secrets.”
PICK: Thunder (+8500, bet $10 to win $860 total) to make playoffs
PICK: Celtics-Nuggets reach NBA Finals (+900, bet $10 to win $100 total)
PICK: Nuggets to win NBA title (+550, bet $10 to win $65 total)
So, are you throwing some cash on the Bucks or Celtics to win it all? Or do you like Bucher’s pick, the defending champion Nuggets?
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