2019-20 Season NBA Division Predictions, Betting Odds, and Picks

The outright betting odds for the NBA’s 2019-20 NBA season have begun to sprout in the various sports betting sites. For this article, let’s take a look at the odds to win the six divisions of the NBA.

Atlantic Division

Philadelphia 76ers +110
Boston Celtics +275
Brooklyn Nets +450
Toronto Raptors +450
New York Knicks +10000

Last year, the Celtics were favored to win the Atlantic Division with the return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. That didn’t happen. This year, the Sixers are on NBA betting favorites to win the Atlantic Division and the Celtics are second while the Nets are third. I mentioned those three teams because Al Horford is now with Philadelphia and Kyrie Irving is now with Brooklyn. The Celtics have added Kemba Walker. Meanwhile, Toronto has lost Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers. These aren’t just player movements. These are key player movements which affect the outcome of this bet. Now which team got better during the offseason? No question it’s Philadelphia who lost Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick but added Horford and Josh Richardson from Miami. We saw how emotional Joel Embiid was after getting eliminated by Kawhi. I have a feeling he bounces back with a huge season especially with Butler out of the picture. Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

Central Division

Milwaukee Bucks -400
Indiana Pacers +350
Detroit Pistons +1600
Chicago Bulls +5000
Cleveland Cavaliers +16000

The Bucks have the shortest odds among the favorites to win their respective conferences. I mean this is a team that has the 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and they will be bringing back virtually the same team which won 60 games last season. Malcolm Brogdon is the notable absence in Milwaukee and he is going to Indiana who also added T.J. McConnell and Jeremy Lamb to bolster their backcourt while waiting for Oladipo’s return. The Pistons look the same except for Derrick Rose while the Bulls and the Cavs are still in rebuilding mode and trying to look for their respective identities.Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks

Northwest Division

Utah Jazz +100
Denver Nuggets +175
Portland Trail Blazers +600
Minnesota Timberwolves +1400
Oklahoma City Thunder +2000

I’m a little surprised about the Northwest Division because while the Jazz has Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Emannuel Mudiay on their roster, the Nuggets have the core of the team that took them deep in the playoffs last season. The Blazers are a dark horse pick here with veterans Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum leading the way in their backcourt plus the addition of Hassan Whiteside as their starting center. Minnesota has their usual duo of Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins leading them again but they don’t look like a playoff team without veteran leadership. The OKC Thunder just cleaned up their closet and maybe a couple of years away from contending again. I like the Denver Nuggets here despite the hype surrounding the Jazz. But I really love the betting value of Portland at +600. This is a team that will definitely contend for a playoff spot and for the first time in the Damian Lillard era, they will have a starting big man who can really compliment their backcourt. Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers

Pacific Division

Los Angeles Clippers -150
Los Angeles Lakers +225
Golden State Warriors +450
Sacramento Kings +5000
Phoenix Suns +25000

Ah, this is the most interesting division in the league right now. The Warriors are likely out of the equation because of Kevin Durant’s departure and Klay Thompson’s injury. Sure, Steph Curry and Draymond Green will be aided by D’Angelo Russell but I don’t think those three will be enough against the Los Angeles teams. The Clippers are led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They will be joined by old faces Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell and Ivica Zubac. Opposite them are LeBron James and Anthony Davis who will be helped by DeMarcs Cousins, Avery Bradley, Danny Green, Quinn Cook, and Jared Dudley. On paper, I think the duo of the Clippers is better but overall, the Lakers have more depth and experience. Sorry, I don’t think the Kings and Suns will contend this year. I have the Lakers winning the Pacific Division. Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Southeast Division

Miami Heat -125
Orlando Magic +200
Atlanta Hawks +700
Washington Wizards +1600
Charlotte Hornets +2500

There is no dominant team in this division, really. But when you take a look at the teams in the Southeast, the Miami Heat have the biggest star in Jimmy Butler. The Orlando Magic are bringing back their 2019 playoff team and could be bolstered by the return of Markelle Fultz. The Hawks have Trey Young and John Collins but I don’t see them making the playoffs. Washington will be without John Wall so they are also out of the equation here. The Hornets just lost Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb and I’m not sure how Terry Rozier becomes the star there. Going back, Miami has the trio of Butler, Goran Dragic, and Justise Winslow. Don’t blink on rookie Tyler Herro who could be the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft. Prediction: Miami Heat

Southwest Division

Houston Rockets -250
San Antonio Spurs +400
Dallas Mavericks +700
New Orleans Pelicans +1400
Memphis Grizzlies +10000

So the Rockets ended the CP3 experiment and traded Chris Paul to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook. Russ and Beard on the same team? I’m not sure how that works, really. Well unless you have two balls at the same time. Westbrook and Harden are recent former MVPs and there is no question that they are a very talented pair. The question is if they can complement each other? The Spurs will still have DeMar DeRozan and the same starting unit. Demarre Carroll should be a good addition off the bench. I have high hopes for Derrick White to be more consistent this year. Dallas has Luka Doncic and Kristaps Portzingis plus Tim Hardaway Jr. but I don’t think this will be their year. The Pelicans have Zion and the Lakers’ young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart. I won’t even talk about the Grizzlies. Sorry. I like the Spurs here because of their continuity and of course because of Popovich. Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

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