We’re very close to the official start of the 2023-24 NBA regular season and it’s already time for predictions. With an overview of the NBA 2024 odds already available on the web, we tried to outline the absolute favorites for next season, including small surprises and big confirmations.

After the goodbyes of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, the defending champions Denver Nuggets are betting everything on Nikola Jovic, increasingly the team’s leader, and are once again looking like favorites. The Colorado Roster is listed in the first tier at 5.00 and 5.50 by bookmakers. Micheal Malone’s seemingly gapless starting quintet features Murray, Gordon, Caldwell-Pope, Porter Jr and Jovic. The Western Conference franchise, founded in 1967, is restarting with some painful waivers, but the core of the team has remained intact and is aiming to repeat after the historic trophy won a few months ago-the first ever. In short, number one candidates for winning the 2023-24 ring.

Good possibilities those of the Boston Celtics, at 5.50, 5.75 and 6.00. Joe Mazzulla’s roster, which won the race for Jrue Holiday by convincing the Portland Trail Blazers to give him up in exchange for Brogdon, Williams and two first-round draft picks, is on paper among the strongest in the Eastern Conference. “I chose Boston because it’s without a doubt my best chance to win,” Holiday remarked at the presentation of his new jersey. “The guys here have already done great things and I’m here to help them become champions.” No half-measures for the U.S. national team point guard who already feels a special feeling with the city and the fans: “They are crazy, very loud and then they appreciate aggressive play and those who work hard on defense rather than spectacular plays, and I play exactly that way.” In short, perfect marriage. He concludes, “I’m here to help Tatum and Brown, I want to make the game easier for them and I want to contribute defensively so I can relieve them a little bit of that commitment.” Watch then for Mazzulla’s base quintet that could lift the title at the end of the season.

With Lillard’s arrival in Milwaukee, Adrian Griffin’s roster gains in quality and confidence, thus aiming to win the title starting in the East. Bucks odds: 6.00 and 7.50. Eyes obviously on the former Trail Blazers point guard, he already has clear ideas about what his on-court relationship will be with the team’s star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. “I want Giannis to be nothing but himself, he doesn’t have to worry about my presence, I told him that and he told me the same thing.” Lillard thus finds the most talented teammate I have ever played with. Interestingly, Dame and Giannis seem made for each other, with a crucial technical-tactical compatibility that should present no stumbling blocks. Each other’s strengths could bridge individual gaps and lead Griffin’s roster to lift the 2023-24 NBA title.

Fourth bracket for the Phoenix Suns, at 7.25, 7.50 and 8.00. For bookmakers, they are not exactly the team to beat, but Frank Vogel’s roster actually starts with one goal: the 2023-24 title. The trades for Durant and Beal allow no alternatives or shortcuts, in fact the base quintet is built precisely around the needs of the Durant-Bea-Booker trio. Interviewed by the “Arizona Republic,” the Suns’ new coach already has the team’s starting five in mind. The first four are already assigned while the choice of the fifth will be influenced by several factors: “It depends on what we will need at that specific moment: shooting, defense, ability to create for teammates.” Already an NBA champion with the Lakers in 2020, Vogel is aiming to challenge the Nuggets and Celtics for the ring.

Involved in the latest media extravaganza by Jimmy Butler, who claimed to “be the best player in the world”, the Miami Heats, by Jimmy’s own admission, are on their way to winning that title that has eluded them twice in the finals in recent years. Orphaned by a trade that could have strengthened Erik Spoelstra’s roster, the one with Damian Lillard who landed at the Celtics, Miami is in the fifth tier according to bookmakers: odds at 9.00 and 10.00. Bam Adebayo, the Heats’ star man, all substance and willingness to take on the dirty work without the obsessive pursuit of scoreboard numbers or spectacular plays, recently pointed out the scant respect given to his roster. “We made it to the Finals twice and to the Conference Finals three times. We did all this with 60 percent of the roster made up of players who weren’t even picked in the draft. I think we should enjoy more respect and attention.” All this could be the right stimulus and motivation for the Heats in attempting a title win that nevertheless appears unlikely according to the bookies.

At the tail end remain Warriors (odds at 10.00 – 12.00), Lakers (12.00 – 13.00), 76ers (14.00 – 16.00), Clippers (16.00 – 18.00) and Mavericks (16.00, 18.00 and 20.00). Difficult, but not impossible, to expect them to win the ring.