The preseason is wrapping up and the 2023-24 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with a Lakers vs. Nuggets and Suns vs. Warriors doubleheader. All four teams are among the favorites in the 2023-24 NBA title odds with the Nuggets at +450, the Lakers at +1100, the Suns at +550 and the Warriors at +900. The Nuggets are beginning their title defense, and only the Celtics (+380) and the Bucks (+400) have better title chances in the 2024 NBA futures odds.
Which of those favorites should you back in your NBA picks this season, and which longshots could surprise? On top of title picks, bettors are also looking for the best values in NBA futures such as win totals, playoff chances and player awards. 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 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. Few offenses can match the total firepower of Phoenix. The Suns are built around their new-look Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
It’s almost a lock that the Suns will be one of the highest-scoring teams, but Severance’s concerns come on the defensive end. Losing Deandre Ayton via trade should make that unit worse. There are also questions about the durability of this group.
“What is the likelihood of Durant and Beal staying healthy? Durant hasn’t played more than 55 games since 2018-19. Beal hasn’t topped 60 games since then,” Severance told SportsLine. “The Suns also are capped out and have traded away essentially every pick they own for years, so it will be tough to add help through that market.” 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
