NBA futures – NBA Eastern Conference odds
Online sports betting: East appears to be much improved
- Philadelphia 76ers are an Eastern Conference threat with Elton Brand
- Boston Celtics are still the team to beat in the East
- LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers will be dangerous once again
NBA Eastern Conference futures are much harder to handicap this year because the East is no longer a one- or two-horse race. Although the Boston Celtics (+130) are still the reigning champs and head into this season as the NBA Eastern Conference odds favorite, there’s plenty of other teams that can threaten them now.
NBA futures had to be adjusted when the Philadelphia 76ers (+1200 internet sportsbook odds) dropped a bombshell and acquired perennial 20-10 man Elton Brand. Brand adds a powerful inside presence, which was arguably the last missing piece on a very good 76ers squad already.
But the 76ers weren’t the only team making moves, as the Cleveland Cavaliers were also busy. The Cavs added point guard Maurice Williams, who will be the best backcourt mate LeBron James has played with to date. The Cavs nearly knocked off the Celtics last season and, with an improved unit, their NBA odds (+600) offer good value.
The Toronto Raptors are another team that has improved itself significantly. In the offseason, the Raptors added All-Star center Jermaine O’Neal, who will add rebounding, toughness and defense to a team missing those exact qualities. With more of an inside presence and with Chris Bosh’s growth at the Beijing Olympics, the Raptors could be a real darkhorse with NBA Eastern Conference odds of +1200.
The Detroit Pistons are obviously a perennial stalwart (+300 NBA Eastern Conference futures), which means they’ll be in the mix, but some online sports betting sharps wonder whether new head coach Michael Curry can lead this team.
Other teams like the Orlando Magic (+1200), who were young and inexperienced last year, should be much stouter now that they’ve battled through some playoff rigors.
Keep an eye on the Milwaukee Bucks, who added a tough coach in Scott Skiles and made some major changes. The Bucks have been one of the most underachieving teams in the NBA but, with Skiles instilling some discipline and Richard Jefferson providing a reliable secondary scoring threat next to Michael Redd, the Bucks could offer some really good value with NBA Eastern Conference odds of +3000.
NBA Eastern Conference futures odds:
- ATLANTA HAWKS +2000
- BOSTON CELTICS +130
- CHARLOTTE BOBCATS +3500
- CHICAGO BULLS +1500
- CLEVELAND CAVALIERS +600
- DETROIT PISTONS +300
- INDIANA PACERS +3500
- MIAMI HEAT +1400
- MILWAUKEE BUCKS +3000
- NEW JERSEY NETS +3500
- NEW YORK KNICKS +2900
- ORLANDO MAGIC +1200
- PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +1200
- TORONTO RAPTORS +1200
- WASHINGTON WIZARDS +2000
CRAIG’S PICK: For huge value, bet on the Philadelphia 76ers in NBA Eastern Conference futures.
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Craig Parsons is an avid sports fan, but his true love has always been basketball. Too short to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, he did the next best thing? Sports betting and covering basketball for a living. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
