NBA Conferences and Divisions
In the NBA, the 30 teams are divided into two conferences, then each separated into three divisions. Each division has five teams competing to have the best record. There are NBA lines created for every division, for what team might win it at the end of the season. While winning a division does not affect the playoffs, it is still something a franchise can claim.
Eastern Conference Divisions
The Eastern Conference’s three divisions are the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast. Each division has built up rivalries from within due to teams consistently playing one another, making the games between these teams more intense.
Atlantic Division Favorites
For the Atlantic Division, NBA odds favor the Boston Celtics to win in 2023-24. That makes sense, given that the team has spent the offseason doing everything to improve. However, the Celtics do have competition, especially the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season, both teams had over 50 wins, and the 76ers have the reigning MVP Joel Embiid on the roster.
Central Division Standings
In the Central NBA betting is a little more cut and dry. The Milwaukee Bucks are the clear favorites in the division, already having Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, on the roster, then adding Damian Lillard, an elite point guard. The Cleveland Cavaliers could challenge, having won 51 games in 2022-23, but it seems pretty clear that the Bucks are the best team in the Central.
Competitive Southeast Division
The Southeast is where things gete more complicated.
The Miami Heat are favored but are not nearly at the same level of a favorite like the Celtics or Bucks. Despite making the NBA Finals last season, the Heat did so as the eighth seed.
Their challenger will be the Atlanta Hawks, the seventh seed last season, who beat the Heat in the play-in tournament despite losing the division.
The Hawks have elite talent but did not find the right blend to make it work last season.
Western Conference Divisions
In the Western Conference, there are less clear-cut favorites. The three divisions are the Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest.
Northwest Division’s Clear Favorite
NBA lines have a clear favorite for the Northwest, with the defending champions, Denver Nuggets, on top. The Nuggets might have one of the most talented teams in the league, headlined by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. No other team can genuinely challenge within the Northwest, with the Minnesota Timberwolves falling short in talent and the Oklahoma City Thunder being too young.
Pacific Division’s Tough Competition
Then, in the Pacific, NBA odds are all over the place. This division is arguably one of the toughest in the league, with all five teams making the playoffs last season set to do it again in 2023-24.
The Sacramento Kings won the Pacific in 2022-23 but have the worst odds this season. Part of that is because the Phoenix Suns had a fantastic offseason, building a roster around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
While the Suns are the favorite, it’s hard to forget about the Los Angeles Lakers, who have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Then there are the Golden State Warriors, who won the NBA Finals in 2021-22 behind Stephen Curry. Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers, featuring Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, can hardly be counted out.
Challenges in the Southwest Division
Despite the Memphis Grizzlies having won the division the past two seasons, there is uncertainty with their star player, Ja Morant, being suspended for the first 25 games. They are still the favorites, but the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks are not too far behind.
The Pelicans’ young core has yet to remain healthy, but if they can, there is a chance they will be competitive. Then, even with the Mavericks missing the playoffs last season, the roster is still headlined by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.