One-quarter of the 2023-24 NBA regular season has been played. After what we’ve seen, we feel confident in making expert picks on the NBA conference champions — both in the West and the East. If you want free betting advice, stick with us as we explain who to take.
2024 NBA Conference Championship Bets
You might want to “spread the wealth” when making NBA conference championship bets. By that, we mean to avoid betting on one team and one only. It’s too early in the season to go “all in.” The threat of one injury to a superstar player looms large for anyone, and it’s just not worth it. Therefore, we’ll be telling you one priority bet in each conference, plus a darkhorse choice too.
2024 NBA Eastern Conference Betting Pick
It’s an absolute dogfight out East right now, and that’s reflected in the current Eastern Conference championship betting odds. Available at the best NBA betting sites, here are the teams most favored to win the East:
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | +150 | +150 | +150 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +185 | +185 | +185 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Miami Heat | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
There are strong arguments to be made for both betting favorites — Boston and Milwaukee. These two teams, along with Miami, have consistently been the best conference teams over the last four years. We fully expect that to remain the case, even with hungry teams like Orlando on the up and up.
Both betting favorites bolstered their rosters over the season. The Bucks made the biggest offseason splash of all, landing Damian Lillard. He’s 33 years old and now is the time for the NBA superstar to make a run for a title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. For the Celtics, they added Jrue Holiday, who helped Milwaukee win their NBA title a few years back. Also added to the mix was do-everything big man Kristaps Porzingis.
Out of the two, we’d put money on the Bucks over the Celtics. Honestly, both their No. 1 and No. 2 players are superior to that of Boston’s (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown). Moreover, they’ve actually reached the mountaintop, unlike the C’s which have a habit of coming up short. Plus, Lillard knows his window is closing so we’d expect him to go the extra mile come postseason time.
One thing we will say though is it might be worth taking a flyer bet on Miami. We mean, they are +1400 right now. They famously eliminated both these teams last year as a No. 8 seed. Yes, they’re struggling now, but we know they’ll flip the switch come the postseason. Plus. At these odds, even a small bet could pay big. Prioritize betting the Bucks, but the Heat offer some additional betting value.
2024 NBA Western Conference Betting Pick
Zero surprise here, the reigning champion Nuggets are comfortable betting favorites to win the Western Conference. Here’s how the West betting odds shake out:
| Team | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | +235 | +235 | +235 |
| Phoenix Suns | +325 | +325 | +325 |
| Golden State Warriors | +850 | +850 | +850 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
Denver HAS to be the priority bet here, and it’s not even close. Some bettors are high on Phoenix’s chances, but we don’t trust Kevin Durant to stay healthy. Not only that, but the Nuggets are much more balanced than the top-heavy Suns.
Nikola Jokic is the key to that. We’ve never seen a man his size play the way he does — elite passing, top-notch defense, efficient scoring, and a carefree demeanor. He’s already won MVP twice and we wouldn’t be stunned if a third trophy goes his way at season’s end. Jokic is unequaled across the league, which is saying something.
Jokic’s selfless attitude spreads across the whole roster. Whereas we think ego issues could derail Phoenix, no such worry exists with Denver. Everybody has their defined role. Jamal Murray is the sidekick. Michael Porter Jr. is the third option. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the streaky shooter. Aaron Gordon is the lockdown defender not afraid to do the “dirty work.”
There’s something really special about this Nuggets roster. It has eschewed the superstar-stacking ways of previous title winners and built slowly, but surely. This team has the potential to last and not be a ticking time bomb like others.
As for our darkhorse bet in the West, we think this selection is obvious. The Lakers at +1000 is a steal. Admittedly, this team is one Anthony Davis injury away from disaster. But if it doesn’t happen? LA would have two massive stars up top with Davis and LeBron James. That’s worth +1000 odds in our book.
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