2023-24 NBA Season Odds and 3 Fool-Proof Predictions

We’re just 9 days away from the start of the 78th NBA season (Tuesday, Oct. 24) and there’s a ton of intrigue and anticipation after a bunch of big-time blockbuster trades this offseason.

Soon after the Bucks’ made a bold move to acquire Damian Lillard, their Eastern Conference rival Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday.

Those two are now the favorites win the NBA championship next June, even though I believe the Nuggets are going to repeat.

Let’s take a look at the latest title odds and make a few predictions before the Opening Night tipoffs (Lakers at Nuggets followed by Suns at Warriors).

The odds I’m using are from FanDuel Sportsbook, which is one of our favorite sports betting sites among many, including DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM. And good news: All of them, along with many more sites, accept PayPal and/or Venmo.

My picks are in bold.

NBA Championship 2023-24

Milwaukee Bucks +380

Boston Celtics +380

Phoenix Suns +550

Denver Nuggets +550

Los Angeles Lakers +1300

Golden State Warriors +1400

Cleveland Cavaliers +2400

Memphis Grizzlies +2400

Dallas Mavericks +2500

Los Angeles Clippers +2700

Philadelphia 76ers +2700

Miami Heat +3000

New Orleans Pelicans +4200

New York Knicks +4600

Sacramento Kings +5000

Minnesota Timberwolves +5500

The Nuggets are younger than the other big three and that means they’ll likely stay healthier.

If Denver gets home-court advantage throughout the playoffs – I think that’s doable – then they’ll celebrate back-to-back titles.

NBA Regular Season MVP 2023-24

Nikola Jokic +430

Luka Doncic +550

Giannis Antetokounmpo +600

Jayson Tatum +750

Joel Embiid +850

Stephen Curry +1400

Kevin Durant +1600

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +1800

Devin Booker +2200

Anthony Davis +3000

Donovan Mitchell +3000

Anthony Edwards +3000

Damian Lillard +3600

Everyone else is +4000 or longer odds so forget about it.

Jokic is the favorite to win his third MVP trophy, but I think this is finally the season when Doncic claims his first one.

A full season playing with Kyrie Irving should do wonders for his stats, but the Mavericks must win at least 45-50 games for Luka to land the award, and that’s not a given with their current over/under win total at 43.5.

Blocks Per Game Leader For 2023-24 Season

Jaren Jackson Jr. +280

Walker Kessler +280

Myles Turner +460

Nic Claxton +850

Victor Wembanyama +1300

Anthony Davis +1500

Brook Lopez +1500

Chet Holmgren +2000

The two rookie wonders, Wembanyama and Holmgren, are interesting options but I’d say wager on Kessler.

Jackson Jr. was the runaway winner of this last season, averaging 3.0 blocks per game to Kessler’s fourth-best 2.3, but Jackson played six more minutes a game than Kessler and Kessler nicknamed “The Sheriff” figures to be the tough guy and anchor of the Jazz’s defense this season and wear his rejection-leading stat like a badge of honor. Be warned, NBA studs, you’ll experience plenty of “Walk-ed” shots again this season.

Happy Friday and enjoy responsible wagering out there everyone.