NBA Futures Odds

NBA Futures Odds

Driven by fast possessions and quick turnarounds, basketball is a very exciting and dynamic sport, one where comebacks are common and outcomes can be unpredictable. 

From Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant and most recently, LeBron James, basketball has seen talented legends from all walks of life rise to prominence and captivate us with moments that are impossible to forget. 

Who doesn’t remember Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beating shot, which bounced on the rim three times before giving the Toronto Raptors a last-second win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and the right to keep participating in the race for the NBA Championship? 

With odds standing at +10000, those who wagered on the Raptors to win the 2019 NBA Championship earned a handsome return, and now, as the action continues at the basketball arenas throughout the nation, the NBA Futures bets give you an opportunity to capitalize on the upcoming success of your team. 

What are NBA Futures Odds?

Futures bets are wagers you can place in order to predict the outcome of a future event. 

For example, when betting on the NBA, you can predict:

1. Which team will win the NBA championship? 
2. Which teams will participate in the NBA finals?
3. Who will be the season’s MVP (Most Valuable Player)? 

An exciting fact about NBA Futures is that, since you are able to place them from the beginning of the season, or even before the season starts, you can secure very favorable odds. 

However, if the season has started, and you are seeking to place an NBA Futures bet, don’t worry, as it is possible for you to do so at any point throughout the season. What changes is that, as the event gets closer (i.e., the NBA Finals), and the outcome of said event becomes more certain, the odds will fluctuate to reflect that probability. 

Therefore, we highly recommend that you become familiar with the concept of implied probability. 

If you have never heard this term before, what implied probability means is the likelihood that an event will take place or that an outcome will occur, based on the analysis conducted by the sportsbook setting the odds. 

It is possible that, if you are planning on placing an NBA Futures bet, you have conducted your own research and made your own analysis. Therefore, your implied probability might differ from that of the sportsbook. If this is the case, you are looking at a value betting scenario, which means that a wager has a higher probability of happening than what the sportsbook estimated. 

To deepen your comprehension of the process behind how odds are determined, it is helpful to understand the factors that can influence these odds. For example, the formation of the squads prior to the beginning of the season is a key aspect that sportsbooks consider, whether this happens through the NBA Draft, through an acquisition made in the transfer market, or through signing free agents. 

As the team lineups change, the odds will adjust accordingly. The same goes for any other event that impacts the potential lineups, such as injuries, suspensions, or off-court developments. 

Now that you’ve understood how odds are determined, it is important to understand what the odds mean. 

There are three main formats in which sportsbooks display betting odds: American odds, fractional odds, and decimal odds. The format of choice will vary depending on where you are located geographically. 

However, since the NBA is based in the United States, the likelihood is higher that the odds will be displayed in the American format. 

If you have never seen American odds before, they might seem initially tricky and hard to understand. However, here at Lines, we have prepared a deep and thorough guide in order to facilitate your understanding, so that the next time you look at the dashboard, you can estimate the potential payout you can obtain by betting on your favorite team, and make a better wagering decision. 

As an additional recommendation, we highly encourage you to shop around several sportsbooks, as the odds might vary from one to another. This maximizes your chances of finding the best odds available in the market. To assist you in this process, here at Lines, we are partnered with the nation’s top legal sportsbooks, and you can consult the best odds available through our dynamic dashboard. 

Conference Championship Futures

The stepping stone for the NBA Finals is the Conference championship. The NBA has two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Subsequently, each conference has three divisions. Being a divisional or conference champion is a badge of honor that every team aspires to wear, as a result, the conference championship finals are games filled with thrilling exhilaration and incredible surprises. 

Eastern Conference Odds

Spearheaded by teams like the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, and the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference has seen stars like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Isaiah Thomas parade through its finals and make their mark on basketball history. 

Recently, more teams have made a stronger push for the conference reign, such as the Milwaukee Bucks, led by star Giannis Antetokoumpo. Here are the latest 5 Eastern Conference champions: 

1. 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers (d. Boston Celtics)
2. 2019: Toronto Raptors (d. Milwaukee Bucks)
3. 2020: Miami Heat (d. Boston Celtics)
4. 2021: Milwaukee Bucks (d. Atlanta Hawks)
5. 2022: Boston Celtics (d. Miami Heat)

Do you have what it takes to predict who will lift the Bob Cousy Trophy next? Will the Celtics, the Bucks, and the Heat strengthen their grip at the top of the conference, or will teams like the Philadelphia 76ers or the New York Knicks reminisce halcyon days and return to the top? 

Western Conference Odds

In recent years, some of the greatest basketball dynasties of all time have played in the Western Conference, among them, the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Most recently, the Golden State Warriors, commanded by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, have become one of the most prolific teams in the history of basketball. 

Here are the 5 latest Western Conference champions:

1. 2018: Golden State Warriors (d. Houston Rockets)
2. 2019: Golden State Warriors (d. Portland Trail Blazers)
3. 2020: Los Angeles Lakers (d. Denver Nuggets)
4. 2021: Phoenix Suns (d. Los Angeles Clippers)
5. 2022: Golden State Warriors (d. Dallas Mavericks)

As you can see, the Warriors have remained consistent at the top. Yet, the league has plenty of contenders, and teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are vying to get their names up there in the winners’ circle. 

Regardless of your team, the NBA Conference Championship Futures will surely buzz up your excitement and provide you with plenty of memorable moments. And why not capitalize on that? 

NBA Finals Futures

Ok, we’ve covered the conference finals. Now, it is time for the two best teams in the league to get out there and earn their right to lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. 

It is estimated that the 2022 NBA Finals were watched by 12.4 million viewers, and, with this figure expected to keep increasing, wagering on the NBA Finals Futures is a way to keep the thrill going until the last play. 

Can you predict who will win next? 

Right now, with the playoffs action underway, here are the odds, as determined by a leading U.S. sportsbook.

As you can see, the Celtics are considered the favorites to lift the trophy, but will they? One of the amazing things about sports is that there is always room for surprises. And if your team is out already, you can always place an NBA Futures bet for the next season, and trust that your squad will make smart choices in the draft and the transfer market and build a lineup capable of making it all the way. 

How to Bet on NBA Futures

You’ve understood how odds work and the factors that influence them. You’ve learned how to read the odds and calculate your potential payout. Now, you’re ready to place an NBA Futures bet. 

If you are wondering how to do that, the first step is to create an account with your preferred sportsbook so that you can place a wager. 

Remember that, here at Lines.com, we’ve developed strategic partnerships with the best legal sportsbooks in the United States. The sportsbooks available to you vary depending on the state where you are. 

If you are not sure about which sportsbook to choose, consult our review section. We compile reviews from fans and experts alike, and compare the different features, welcome bonuses, and exclusive promotions that each sportsbook has to offer. 

Before placing an NBA Futures bet, here are some tips that can strengthen your chances:

1. Follow the NBA Draft, as well as the transfer market
2. Stay in the loop to learn about any injuries, suspensions, and other off-court events that could have an impact on your team’s performance
3. Shop around for the best odds available
4. Set a budget and bet responsibly. All sportsbooks give you the chance to set limits and ensure you enjoy the wagering action within your financial capabilities

Futures Bets for NBA 2023-2024 Season

We’ve covered the fundamentals for NBA Futures bets, and some of the most common betting markets available. 

Nevertheless, the futures bets market is very broad, and it is likely that, when browsing, you will encounter more betting opportunities. Some of them can be:

1. Who will win the NBA Midwest Division?
2. Who will lead the league in points scored?
3. Who will be the best rookie of the year?
4. Who will lead the league in assists? 

To see all the futures betting opportunities available, visit your sportsbook of choice, and also, stay tuned for the exclusive content that we’ll keep generating here at Lines, with the purpose of assisting you in the process of maximizing your chances of placing winning wagers while watching your favorite NBA teams.