Rejoice basketball fans! The new season of NBA basketball is upon us and already things are shaping up nicely. After a tumultuous offseason and a Summer Olympics tournament where the USA National Team captured another gold medal, it is time to get back to team duties in hopes of winning the title. There are plenty of narratives and predictions about this upcoming season and it always seems like each new campaign feels better than the last one. Of course, that is exactly what the fans want and what this beautiful sport needs.
In this article, we take a look at the upcoming season from a predictions standpoint and, therefore, also from a bettor’s perspective. Who has the best chance to win the title, who will take the individual awards, and who may be the surprise teams that will find their way to most fans’ betting slips? Read on to learn more about NBA betting odds especially if you are a basketball fan as well as an online sports betting enthusiast. For the NBA, there is no better time of year than late October and with most teams already finishing their first game, we have a clearer picture of what is to come!
The Most Important Narratives
With professional sports, and especially the NBA, the narratives for the season are very important because they not only help the fans with their expectations but also the bettors with their predictions. These stories that are worth following throughout the season are a big answer to some of the questions you do not even remember to ask. They deal with basketball itself, with how the players and teams will play, but also with factors not always connected to the games themselves. This time around for the 2024/25 season, there are plenty of things that can influence the odds and dictate who the sportsbooks will favor.
First of all, there is the situation with the Los Angeles Lakers roster. The biggest story is the team drafting LeBron “Bronnt” James Junior, the oldest son of the one and only LeBron James. As the face of the league, still in his 22nd season, he has now added to his legacy by becoming the first basketball player in the NBA to play alongside his son. An unprecedented accomplishment and a tribute to his longevity and form. However, was this the smartest move for the team, and what does it spell for the season? James and Anthony Davis are the clear leaders of the team, but apart from them, the rest of the squad is not that great and not a contender. Last season, they managed to win the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament Cup and that could be the driving force for them this year. The bettors should pay attention to these games and give an advantage to the LA team to repeat. As for Bronny, it is only a matter of time before he is sent to the G League to further develop his game.
Another big story for the season deals with the trades that have taken place over the summer, particularly in New York and Oklahoma. Both the Knicks and the Thunder have gotten better without losing much and many see them as teams who could make it out of their conferences. As such, they will be in the spotlight. The Knicks traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves for one Karl-Anthony Towns. A much-needed offensive PF for the NY team, Towns finally has a chance to play his game without worrying much about defense. The loss of Donte could be considerable, but the team also added Mikal Bridges, another offensive-minded player. With Brunson at the helm and defensive studs like Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, the team has a balanced starting five that can take on anyone.
With OKC, things are quite similar with the difference being the addition of defense instead of offense. The Thunder squad now features Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, two absolute menaces on the defensive end who will bolster the already formidable defense of the Western Conference contender. It is safe to say that OKC will be a favorite for over/under bets because of how much they can score with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren while keeping the other team from going off with their newly-found defensive presence. On top of all of this, many bookies are giving great odds for a Knicks – Thunder Finals matchup, and we are here for it. What a battle of young superstars that would be, a matchup made in heaven for any basketball fans!
Who Takes the Title?
Let us now address the elephant in the room and talk about title chances. This is what most bettors are interested in since making season-long bets is one of the fan-favorite activities. Checking out the NBA betting picks for teams to win it all while the season has barely started is always fun to do. It is rare that such a combination of the usual suspects and new contenders all have a great chance to capture the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in 2025.
First of all, the Boston Celtics as the defending champions. Can the duo of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown with their amazing starting lineup of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis repeat and win the record-extending 19th title for their team? Absolutely. The Celtics have one of the strongest and most well-rounded teams in the league, perhaps ever. Both in terms of size and length and the combination of offensive threat and defensive pressure, they have it all. According to the current forecast and especially after that strong opening game against the great Knicks squad, the Celtics have their odds of winning the title at 3.90. This is by far the best situation out of all teams and for good reason. This is their best chance to win two in a row since the Larry Bird days.
Next up on the list are two teams we have already mentioned in this article. The OKC Thunder are second with 7.50 odds, a more than deserved result of their great 2023/2024 season in which they lead the Western Conference. Shai was one of the MVP favorites which should continue this season and with a stronger core squad, they should be in the running for the trophy. Right behind with the odds sitting at 9.00 are the NY Knicks. As mentioned, they are in a very similar situation to the Thunder with a revamped and stronger team coming out of a season where they exceeded expectations. The addition of Bridges and Towns will more than makeup for the departures of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in what should be at least a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Rounding up the list of top 5 favorites to win the title in 2025 is the Dallas Mavericks with 10.00 odds and the Denver Nuggets with 11.00. The Mavs are coming into this season fresh from a disappointing loss in the Finals where they were simply outclassed and outplayed by the Celtics. Luka Doncic is hungrier than ever and this might even be the season he wins his 1st MVP trophy, after coming up short a few times already. Dallas made a great move in adding Klay Thompson, a proven threat from the 3pt territory and a 4-time champ to pair up with Kyrie Irving’s Finals experiences. They are better than last year and should have more success in the regular season now that P.J. Wahington and Daniel Gafford have more time to integrate into the team.
The Nuggets will always be relevant as long as Nikola Jokic is winning his MVP trophies, adding to his astonishing legacy. The champs from two seasons ago added the veteran point guard and one of the best all-around players in recent memory, Russel Westbrook. Russ is finally in a team that will allow him to be who he is meaning he could elevate his game and actually help the Nuggets get back to the Finals. Jamal Murray and Jokic continue to lead the team with Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. always ready for those dunks and 3pt passes.
Teams that will probably do better than last year but ultimately fail short of anything spectacular are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, both with 13.00 odds at the moment. Despite adding Paul George, Philly will see much of the same with Joel Embiid who already said that he will not play back-to-games this season, prompting the commissioner Adam Silver to run an investigation of the team’s intentions with the former MVP. George is also hurt, again, which means that Tyrese Maxey and co. will get a ton of usage and have to carry the load for the first month of the season.
In Minnesota, Anthony Edwards is the man and he got a new running mate, Julius Randle, to dish passes to and run the offense alongside Rudy Gobert. The DPOY from last year extended his already ridiculous contract for three more years and $110 million. How far will they go? They should remain relevant until the late playoff rounds, after which stronger teams should dominate them. They will remain a good team to bet on, especially with Edwards and Gobert always leading the points and rebounds category. Prepare for those over/under bets!
The Milwaukee Bucks (17.00) with Giannis Antetokounpmo and Damian Lillard as well as the Phoenix Suns (26.00) with the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal both have a lot to figure out. Their benches are not great and they will probably have to deal with injuries again. The remaining teams do not have the greatest of chances but should give us great games from time to time, especially the LA Lakers (31.00), the Memphis Grizzlies (36.00), the Miami Heat (41.00), and the GS Warriors (41.00). The Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trailblazers, Brooklyn Nets, and Charlotte Hornets all have 1001.00 odds and no chance to even make the playoffs.
Who Takes the Individual Awards?
According to Stake, it is Luka Doncic whom the sportsbooks predict to win the 2025 MVP trophy. His odds right now stand at 4.50. Provided that he remains healthy, continues to dominate in multiple categories, and plays in enough games, he should have the best chance yet and capture this elusive award. Right behind him are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic with the same odds of 5.00. Shai will have a very good chance again while it will be a bit tough for Jokic to capture his 4th MVP in 5 years. Jason Tatum (10.00) and Anthony Edwards (11.00) round up the top 5.
The Rookie of the Year race has never been as uninteresting and generally unappealing as this year. The first pick, Zaccharie Risacher by the Atlanta Hawks, has not gained any sympathies, the same being true for Alex Sarr of the Wizards as the 2nd and Reed Sheppard of Houston Rockets as the 3rd. Several other rookies are gaining much more attention, especially Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies who has the best chance at the moment with odds of 4.75. In comparison, Risacher is at 7.50, Reed at 8.00, and Sarr at 10.00. Stephon Castle (10.00) of San Antonio Spurs is 4th and Dalton Knecht (11.00) of the LA Lakers is the 5th.
Would you like the easiest bet ever for an individual award? How about Victor Wembanyama and the Defensive Player of the Year? After coming up very short last year when his fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert edged it out, Wemby has 1.57 odds, practically a lock, to take it this time around. Include this bet everywhere, it is that certain. Chet Holmgren (12.00), Bam Adebayo (12.00), Evan Mobley (15.00), and Anthony Davis (19.00) have no chance, particularly Rudy Gobert (19.00) who is 6th.