It’s exciting, frantic pace with some of the most impressive athletic displays and three-point hitters keep us tuning in every season.
It’s a league full of characters and drama which has ensured it is second in the most popular sports across the United States. It may be second to the NFL in viewership, but basketball is possibly the most played sorts in the country which is spurred on by superstars like LeBron James and new sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The following of NBA is immense and spreads around the world with bettors checking NBA lines regularly throughout the season as it is a game which lends itself to sports betting with a wide variety of betting options with all good sportsbooks.
After the Denver Nuggets were crowned NBA champions in 2022/23, every side across the league is doing all they can this season to try and take the title back to their city in 2024.
Boston Celtics
A regular amongst title discussions, the Boston Celtics are the leagues joint highest Championship title holders with 17, alongside the Los Angeles Lakers.
Through 20 games, the Celtics held the second-best record in the NBA at 15-5 alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves. They are tipped to win almost every game in the NBA lines which is impressive when you consider they had begun the season with a new look roster after 2022/23’s disappointments by bringing in new, key additions in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Injuries to star player Kristaps Porzingis have raised some concerns, and the 7 ft 2 Latvian will be key if they are to put in a title challenge, but the players around him have stepped up well in his absence.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.6 points per game through 20 games, along with 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists. They have players across all positions ready to push the Celtic’s further and we will no doubt see the Massachusetts team in the playoffs later this season fighting for their 18 Championship.
Milwaukee Bucks
Possibly the Boston Celtics biggest rival in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks are once again on the hunt for a trophy having been crowned champions back in 2021.
Having added Damian Lillard to the team in the off season, hopes were high going into the 2023/24 season. Combining Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo was set to elevate them and help get over the heartbreak of being dumped out of last season playoffs to the Miami Heat.
Lillard has missed some games through injury but were 5-2 before he missed two games. Giannis showed what he can do once more with a 54-point game over the Indiana Pacers, but the team is still trying to build some chemistry.
This may seem crazy to say about the side sitting second in the Eastern Conference after 20 games, but Lillard was brought in to push them further, and right now they are still around about the same as 2022/23.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are looking fun so far in 2023/24, and one man who is driving them forward is last season MVP Joel Embiid.
2023/24 started with head coach Doc Rivers having been replaced by Nick Nurse, as well as trading away James Harden. Embiid managed 33.1 points per game through his first 17 games of the season, along with 11.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
Having been knocked out in the Conference Semi-Finals last season, the 76ers back office have tried to support Embiid and push the team forward. Players like Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris have stepped up to make the 76ers a daunting prospect for any side and one who could push through to make a real challenge for the tile this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Sitting top of the Western Conference through the opening 20 games, the discussion around the Timberwolves continues to grow despite many seeing them fading away as the season progresses.
But numbers don’t lie, and with a 10-1 home record in the first 20 games, trips to Minnesota are not welcome ones for travelling teams.
Anthony Edwards has started the season as a real superstar for the Timberwolves, averaging career high numbers averaging 25.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
What is really making Minnesota stand out may not be the star names but the fact that their second unit is strong and cohesive, ensuring that there isn’t a huge drop off when players rotate on and off the court.
The Western Conference is wide open right now and with their improved defense, could we see a first ever trip to the NBA Finals for the Timberwolves?
Denver Nuggets
While there are some intriguing challengers, we must remember though not to count out the Denver Nuggets. A side with Nikola Jokić is always dangerous and they will know they have the quality in their roster to build momentum slowly and no doubt be in with a shout at defending their title in the playoffs once again.
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Author: Team Dunkest
December 21, 2023 | 7:00 am
