The 2023-24 NBA season tips off on Oct. 24 with the defending champion Denver Nuggets facing the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors hosting the Phoenix Suns. Over the coming days, many NBA futures bets will be placed at sportsbooks across the country as NBA fans gear up for what should be another thrilling season. According to the latest NBA odds, the Nuggets have the third-best odds to repeat at +450, but that’s only one way to bet on the NBA this season.
For example, the Lakers have a win total of 47.5 and are the second-favorites to win the NBA Pacific Division behind the Warriors according to current NBA futures odds. Other notable NBA win totals include the Philadelphia 76ers (48.5), Los Angeles Clippers (46.5), Miami Heat (44.5) and New York Knicks (46.5). Before making any basketball picks or 2023-24 NBA futures bets, be sure to see the latest NBA predictions from SportsLine basketball expert Matt Severance.
Severance is a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. After joining SportsLine, he quickly established himself as a top expert in multiple sports. Over the past two NBA seasons, he has returned $3,215 for $100 bettors on his NBA picks. Anybody following him has seen huge returns.
Now, he has has revealed his top 2023-24 NBA futures bets. You can head to SportsLine to see them.
Top 2024 NBA futures bets
One of Severance’s top 2023-24 NBA futures picks: He says to stay away from the Phoenix Suns (+550) as a title contender. The Suns made major moves this summer, acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. Phoenix also acquired Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Grayson Allen and Keon Johnson in a blockbuster three-team trade with the Trail Blazers and Bucks.
However, Phoenix lost several key pieces from a team that finished fourth in the Western Conference last season with a 45-37 record. Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton and Cameron Payne were all traded in the offseason. Ayton will be extremely hard to replace after the big man averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last season.
“Phoenix is going to be spectacular to watch offensively with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but you have to play some defense and rebound to win in the playoffs, and it’s hard to see the Suns doing that well enough,” Severance told SportsLine. See Severance’s best NBA futures bets at SportsLine.
How to place 2023 NBA futures bets
Severance has revealed five picks, including a pair of longshot plays that return at least +3000. You can see all of Severance’s top 2023 NBA futures picks here.
Which 2023 NBA futures odds should you target, and which long-shot plays could lead to a massive June payday? Visit SportsLine now to see the 2023 NBA futures bets, all from the expert who is up more than 32 units on his NBA picks the past two seasons, and find out.
2023-24 NBA championship odds
See picks at SportsLine
Celtics +380
Bucks +400
Nuggets +450
Suns +550
Warriors +900
Lakers +1100
76ers +2500
Mavericks +2500
Clippers +2500
Heat +2800
Cavaliers +3000
Grizzlies +3000
Kings +4000
Knicks +5000
Pelicans +5000
Timberwolves +6000
Thunder +7500
Hawks +8000
Raptors +12500
Bulls +15000
Nets +15000
Spurs +20000
Pacers +20000
Jazz +30000
Rockets +30000
Magic +30000
Pistons +50000
Hornets +50000
Wizards +50000
Blazers +50000
2023-24 NBA win totals
See picks at SportsLine
Celtics 54.5
Bucks 53.5
Nuggets 52.5
Suns 52.5
Cavaliers 50.5
76ers 47.5
Warriors 47.5
Lakers 46.5
Clippers 45.5
Grizzlies 45.5
Knicks 45.5
Heat 44.5
Kings 44.5
Timberwolves 44.5
Pelicans 44.5
Thunder 44.5
Mavericks 43.5
Hawks 41.5
Pacers 38.5
Nets 37.5
Bulls 37.5
Magic 37.5
Raptors 36.5
Jazz 35.5
Hornets 31.5
Rockets 31.5
Spurs 28.5
Pistons 27.5
Blazers 27.5
Wizards 23.5