Best Bets to Win Each Division in the Eastern Conference

• Bucks, Sixers heavy favorites within the Atlantic & Central 
• The Southeast will be a tight race between the Heat & Magic in Florida
• Raptors a dark horse team to watch

The NBA Divisional odds have been adjusting all off-season. While the Eastern Conference hasn’t been quite as frenetic as the West, the odds have still been fluid.

Even with the Sixers and Bucks as clear favourites in the Atlantic and Central, the odds have changed frequently, with the Sixers only becoming odds-on favourites on August 12^th.

It’s the Southeast Division that has seen the most action, however, with the Heat, Magic and Hawks all in genuine contention.

2019-20 Atlantic Division Odds

*All Odds taken 10/17/19

Can Anyone Stop the Sixers?

Philadelphia, loaded with size and talent, are the runaway favourites at -200. The argument for Brett Brown’s team to win the division is a compelling one, centered (pardon the pun) around All-NBA big man Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian is a dark horse MVP candidate, but the question marks about his MVP credentials (health, load management) are what could give Boston, Brooklyn or Toronto a chance of snatching the division.

Of that trio, it’s the Raptors who are the greatest uncertainty. Without Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, Masai Ujiri could look to sell off his veterans and lead to Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet ushering in a new era of Raptors basketball. The start to the season may prove definitive for Toronto.

If they can get off to a good start, the temptation to recoup assets for Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry will lessen.

+700, the Raptors are a team to keep an eye on – they could easily become Philadelphia’s closest challengers despite the loss of Leonard and the overlooked departure of Danny Green.

Should the Sixers suffer injury problems, or use Embiid particularly cautiously, the Raptors are best poised to take advantage. The regular season isn’t the focus for Philadelphia, and that could see them win fewer games than many expect, if they rest and prepare Embiid for a deep playoff run, it creates an opportunity elsewhere.

The Celtics and Nets have plenty of talent themselves, but Toronto are where the value lies here. Siakam, Anunoby and VanVleet have shown us enough to suggest they can win around 50 games with a more than solid veteran supporting cast.

Pick: Toronto Raptors at +700

2019-20 Central Division Odds

The Bucks Will Keep it Rolling

How quickly things change in the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks were a fun new team at the top of the Eastern Conference last season. Giannis Antetokounmpo was an All-Star with MVP potential; now he’s the reigning MVP. The Bucks obliterated all opponents in 2018-19 until the Raptors toppled them in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With Antetokounmpo’s decision on a super-max extension looming, they are perhaps the most under pressure team in the NBA.

On October 16^th, the Indiana Pacers’ average odds shortened to +560 with the season less than a week away. Their price would be a lot shorter if Victor Oladipo was available – there’s no set return date for the former Thunder guard yet. How Oladipo looks, and whether he can get anywhere near his All-NBA level, remains a mystery.

Choosing to keep Eric Bledsoe over Malcolm Brogdon will not only cost the Bucks a NBA Championship during the Giannis era but it will also cost them Giannis himself.

— Nate ?? (@NBordzy) October 12, 2019

The sign-and-trade that saw Malcolm Brogdon leave the Bucks for the Pacers gives Indiana a chance at snatching the division this season. It creates a question about Milwaukee and helps the Pacers run the offense in Oladipo’s absence. A healthy Oladipo-Brogdon backcourt would be the best in the East and potentially as good as any in the NBA.

The departures of Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic will hurt the Pacers too, however. Indiana were solid without Oladipo last season but keeping up with the Bucks is a bigger ask. There’s a discussion to be had about Milwaukee in the postseason – particularly Eric Bledsoe – but they are still going to be an almighty force in the regular season.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks at -600

2019-20 Southeast Division Odds

Heat are the Team to Beat

The hardest division to call of the three, the Southeast has three teams in contention. Atlanta’s average odds shortened to +590 on October 16^th as excitement around Trae Young and John Collins continues to build.

Miami and Orlando are comfortably ahead of the Hawks at +100 and +150, respectively. Both teams will see themselves as contenders for the three seed. Miami added an elite player to a solid group of role players, while the Magic have a platform to build on after a superb end to last season. Orlando’s defense was immense down the stretch – it should be top five this year.

The Heat’s strength will be defense too, but the presence of Jimmy Butler should make them a better offensive unit than the Magic. Barring a breakout from Aaron Gordon, Orlando could struggle in the halfcourt. Of course, there’s the Markelle Fultz factor to throw into the mix, too.

Almost anything is possible in Atlanta. Young and Collins both erupting into All-Stars isn’t unfathomable, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish could quickly become effective complementary players. There’s a chance they’re closer to the Hornets than they are the Heat and Magic, however. The current price is too short to be worth backing.

Led by Butler, and with a future Hall of Fame coach in Erik Spoelstra, the Heat could win over 50 games. Tyler Herro’s pre-season performances suggest he will take no time to adapt to the NBA, providing Miami with much-needed shooting on the wing. The defense will stifle opponents.

Pick: Miami at +100