ESPN's NBA betting experts, André Snellings and Eric Moody, have picked a future bet for every team heading into the season, which tips off Tuesday. The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are co-favorites to win the championship at +270, followed by the defending champion New York Knicks and the upgraded Philadelphia 76ers, both at +900.
On the Eastern Conference side, Snellings likes the Atlanta Hawks to make the playoffs (-145). The Hawks traded Trae Young in January, then went 29-15 to finish the regular season, and they won two games against the Knicks in the playoffs. Their core returns, bolstered by Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins from the Thunder's title team and lottery pick Kingston Flemings. The Boston Celtics are a bet to go over 51.5 wins (-105). With Mitchell Robinson at center and Paul George added to the core, the team has better balance than last season's 56-win squad, which Snellings considers a reasonable goal.
The Brooklyn Nets are backed to see Mikel Brown Jr., the fifth overall pick, named to the first-team All-Rookie squad (+220). Brown is expected to start from Day 1 and is a polished perimeter creator. The Charlotte Hornets, who finished ninth in the East and 12 games ahead of the 11th-seeded Bucks, are picked to reach the play-in tournament (+130), led by Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel despite the loss of La Melo Ball.
The Chicago Bulls are linked to Caleb Wilson for Rookie of the Year (+350), based on the elite athleticism and defensive upside that made him one of the top candidates for the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing