The Best NBA Future Bets To Make

As the NBA pushes into its December slate of games, sportsbooks continue to update their NBA futures boards. Most teams have played at least 20 games at this point, and while some favorites are off to hot starts, others have scuffled through the opening quarter of the season. NBA odds shift with each passing day, but some of these futures odds are too good to ignore. 

The NBA’s Eastern Conference features some of the strongest teams in the league and should remain competitive throughout the season. 

Favorite: Boston Celtics (+225)

Right now, the class of the Eastern Conference is the Boston Celtics. At 17-4 through 21 games, the Cs sport the NBA’s best record by two full games. Boston’s been the best offense in the league so far, averaging 121.3 points-per-game, and while their defense has been more middle-of-the-pack, we’ve all seen the Celtics lockdown opponents in the past. Boston’s on a roll these days, winning nine of their last 10.

Longshot: Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)

A longshot to consider among these NBA Futures is the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers stand at 12-9, fifth in the East, but injury issues have robbed the team of some consistency early. Joel Embiid returned to the lineup last night and proceeded to drop 30 points, including a game-winner over the Atlanta Hawks. Once they’re back at full strength, Philly should make a push in the East.

The NBA’s Western Conference sports some of the league’s most compelling young stars, all vying to take the top spot from the seasoned veterans.  

Favorite: Golden State Warriors (+350)

Despite being 11-10 through 21 games, the Warriors remain atop NBA Futures odds boards at most sportsbooks. That’s obviously thanks to having one of the best players in the game, Steph Curry, and seeing one of the league’s best shooters, Klay Thompson, return to form. After a slow start, Golden State’s run off seven wins in their last 10 games. December starts with a home-heavy schedule for the Warriors, where they’re 9-1 so far this season. 

Longshot: Dallas Mavericks (+1000)

It might not look like it right now, but the 9-10 Mavs might be one of the better longshots to consider among NBA Futures. Sure, they’ve struggled of late, losing seven of their last 10, but they have one of the league’s brightest stars in Luka Doncic, who should make a run at the MVP award. Having Luka alone will make Dallas a tough out this season, and if Dallas can add pieces around him, the odds will only shorten from here. 

Only four teams see better than 10/1 odds for the NBA Championship through the quarter-point of the 2022-23 season. Boston remains the favorite with +450 odds, but there are a few other teams to consider.

Milwaukee Bucks (+600)

At 14-5 through 19 games, the Bucks hold the league’s second-best record. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains an absolute force and three-time All-Star Khris Middleton is ramping up his workouts to return from offseason wrist surgery. Milwaukee sees a road-heavy start to their December schedule, as 11 of their next 15 games come away from home. 

Phoenix Suns (+1000)

The Suns sport the West’s best record (14-6) through 20 games, and manage the conference’s best average point differential (plus-6.7). Phoenix is 7-3 over its last 10 games, and each of those was played without All-Star point guard Chris Paul.