The 2024-24 NBA season is barely one month away and it is not too early to start strategizing about winning matches. MatchPlug has created this article on how to bet on the NBA 2024 season using NBA picks. You’ll learn the importance of following NBA expert picks.
It’s no surprise that the defending champions Boston Celtics have the highest win total for the next season at 58.5. Boston led the NBA with 64 victories last year, the first time they passed 58.5 wins since 2009. The Celtics are one of the eight teams with a win total of over 50 matches.
In this article, we’ll discuss the new season’s win totals, picks and predictions and how to make the best NBA Expert picks. In the meantime, if you’d like a comprehensive view on wagering on the new season, read our article on NBA 2024 season preview and betting previews.
Article content:
- NBA 2024 season win totals
- NBA 2024 season picks and predictions
- How NBA 2024 season expert picks work
- How to make the best NBA 2024 season picks – covers (strategies)
NBA 2024 Season Win Totals
| Team | 2023-24 Win Totals | Current Win Total | Over Vig | Under Vig |
| Atlanta Hawks | 36 | 35.5 | +120 | +100 |
| Boston Celtics | 64 | 58.5 | +105 | -130 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 32 | 19.5 | -110 | -110 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 21 | 29.5 | -115 | -105 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 48 | 47.5 | -115 | -105 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 50 | 50.5 | +100 | +120 |
| Denver Nuggets | 57 | 52.5 | -110 | -110 |
| Detroit Pistons | 14 | 24.5 | -115 | -105 |
| Golden State Warriors | 46 | 43.5 | -110 | -110 |
| Houston Rockets | 41 | 43.5 | -115 | -105 |
NBA 2024 Season Picks And Predictions
By October 22nd, 2024 82 teams from all over America and one from Canada will be competing for the coveted NBA championship title. While the Celtics will be playing to win for the second time (a feat few teams have been able to complete), others will want a slice of the title.
With that in mind, here are the top NBA 2024 season picks and predictions:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
48 victories seem way too low for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers battled many injuries last term as Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland played for only 28 matches together. Yet, they still won 48 matches.
New coach Kenny Atkinson will manage a Cavaliers team that won 99-regular season matches over the last two seasons. His experiences as Nets head coach and assistant coach with Golden State Warriors should help him make the team better.
Total: Over 47.5 wins.
2. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns struggled with injuries last campaign in the first full year Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker played together. However, they still won 49 matches despite getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
All five starters will return to Phoenix this year and Mike Budenholzer will be coaching them. Budenholzer is one of the best regular-season head coaches in NBA history, he will replace Frank Vogel. Mike has a 271-120 record in five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and a 213-197 record in his previous seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. This Suns team has potential.
Total: Over 46.5 wins.
3. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons hit rock bottom last campaign, losing the most straight matches in NBA history and finished with the worst record in the league. This led to Monty Williams’ termination. The only chance at redemption for Pistons is a prospective young squad in Cade Cunnigham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. They also added Tobias Harris, Paul Reed, and Malik Beasley.
New coach J.B Bickerstaff is an excellent leader for Detroit and has a good shot at improving things on the defensive end. Last season, the Cavalier’s defense was seventh in defensive rating (112.1) during the regular season under Bickerstaff.
Total: Over 24.5 wins.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers won 47 matches last campaign, but their line is still too high. Los Angeles was at their best last season, with a healthy Anthony Davis and LeBron James. James played consistently at a high level, competing in 71 matches, while Davis played in 76 matches. The big question for the NBA 2024 season is if both players will be healthy.
The Lakers were 15th in offensive rating, 17th in defensive rating and made the playoffs after surviving the Play-In Tournament the last two seasons. But they didn’t add much to their roaster, except Bronny James and Dalton Knecht.
Total: Under 44.5 wins.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers won 51 matches last season but recreating that score will be tough. Kawhi Leonard was exceptional, playing over 60 matches for the first time since 2016-17. However, things may not go so well in the NBA 2024 season considering how their last one ended with Leonard missing the final eight matches. His surgically treated right knee keeps acting up, even with the Clippers assuring that Leonard will be in training camp.
Losing Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers also affects the team. Their offseason additions were boring so it is hard to see them as strong competitors in the Western Conference, if Leonard is not playing,
Total: Under 40.5 wins.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton have cause to be hopeful after a full season in Doc Rivers’ system. However, the Milwaukee Bucks need to tighten their defense, which was 19th in the league last season. They are off a disappointing season where they won only 49 matches, largely due to injuries and an aging core.
Antetokounmpo is turning 30, Lillard is 34, Middleton is 32 and Brook Lopez is 36. All of them have experienced a decline in their statistical production and Milwaukee didn’t spend much in free agency. They only added AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in the 2024 NBA draft. Both rookies are still fresh, so their chances of contributing immediately are slim.
Total: Under 50.5 wins.
7. Golden State Warriors
Despite losing Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors had a solid offseason. They added depth to their squad by signing Kyle Anderson, De’ Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield. Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga are expected to make giant strides too. Additionally, Draymond Green should avoid suspension and play over 55 matches this year.
The Warriors won 46 matches last season, finishing 10th in a tight Western Conference. But they were 11th in the NBA in net rating and haven’t gone below this win total in three straight seasons. Fans can rely on a big bounce-back from Steph Curry and others when assessing the Warriors odds.
Total: Over 43.5 wins.
8. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama has been compared to LeBron James in terms of hype, but it is worth nothing that James actually helped the Cleveland Cavaliers finish 42-40 in his second season. But this year’s Western Conference is more challenging than the one in the East.
The San Antonio Spurs have won 22 matches in each of the last two seasons, and this win total is leaning on sending them into a play-in tournament contest. The Spurs might be better off with one more bad season to get a top player in next year’s rookie class.
Total: Under 35.5 wins.
9. Denver Nuggets
This offseason is the second time the Denver Nuggets have lost a top player from their squad. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left for the Orlando Magic in free agency. Suddenly, the best starting lineup in the NBA is asking Christian Braun to fill a huge gap as the team’s top shooting guard. Braun averaged 20.2 minutes per contest and is an impact defensive player, but his shooting will allow opponents to play off him.
More importantly, Denver should focus more on guaranteeing they reach the postseason. They have admitted that exhaustion was why they lost in Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Western Conference semifinals. Experts don’t expect the Nuggets to aim for top seed in the West like last year, especially with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray playing in the Olympics.
Total: Under 52.5 wins.
How NBA 2024 Season Expert Picks Work
NBA expert picks are created from a distinct algorithm that consider an array of factors such as
- Historical data.
- Current team.
- Player performances.
- Injury reports.
- Latest NBA betting news.
These factors are then carefully analyzed to predict outcomes for each match, thereby improving your betting strategy.
How To Make The Best NBA 2024 Season Picks
Here we have shared some of the best expert tips for betting on NBA games, you can apply to get the best NBA 2024 season picks.
1. Search for the best odds
When betting on the new NBA season, ensure you find the best odds for your bets. Expert bettors line shop and you should do the same. If you want to wager on the Nuggets at -140 at one book, but another book has them at -125, the latter is more valuable.
Constantly missing out on the best lines will affect your bankroll in the long run, especially if you’re wagering larger sums.
2. Pay Attention To Current Team Form
Don’t waste all your time researching the standings when wagering on the NBA. Instead focus more on current team form, weighing the last three matches meticulously. Even the best teams have slumps, and losing teams can suddenly come back to live. Find out the causes behind recent results and if they’ll repeat it in the match you want to wager on.
3. Mind the matchups
Every team has its weaknesses and strengths. When looking for good NBA bets, watch how closely how those attributes measure up against that day’s opponents. If a team struggles with rebounds and faces a squad with a bigger, more efficient frontcourt that dominates the basket, ensure you account for that wager accordingly.
4. Injuries
Injuries play a significant role in an NBA team’s success during the regular season. If you want to wager on a side, look through the injury report to see which players are absent. Also find out which players could be on a break, especially if they have been playing back-to-back.
5. Monitor The Line Movement
NBA betting is not always about supporting the best team but instead about the best number. Markets like money lines, totals, and point spreads will be constantly adjusted based on action and injury news. Ensure you monitor the opening NBA odds and where they’re moving to to frame the best time to wager.
6. Delve Into Derivatives
Betting odds for the NBA 2024 season can be broken into halves and quarters, setting sides and totals for different parts of the game. These derivative odds can hold value you won’t find in full-game lines as teams have tendencies and trends that oddsmakers often miss. Use analytics to uncover derivatives.
