NBA Season-Opening Odds: BetOnline Sportsbook Lists Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks As Favorites To Claim Championship

The last time Nikola Jokic played a meaningful game, the Denver Nuggets were putting the final touches on their first NBA championship.

Jokic doused the Miami Heat 133 nights ago.

On Tuesday, the wait is over. Jokic and the Nuggets (+550) are prepared to start the defense of their crown. The champions will tip off the 2023-24 campaign against LaBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (+900) in the early game. The nightcap will focus on the Phoenix Suns (+650) visiting the Golden State Warriors (+1000).

The nationally televised doubleheader features four of the six clubs with the best preseason odds to capture the league title, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.

Here’s a look at the co-favorites, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, who drew the league’s top odds at +400.

It’s everything.

We asked the guys what the game means to them.

https://t.co/rcZhK95M1P pic.twitter.com/zzdoa6C3l6

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 22, 2023

New-Look Milwaukee Bucks Seek Longer Postseason Run

When the Bucks entered the playoffs last season, they earned the regular season’s No. 1 seed.

Five games later, the Heat advanced. The Bucks, meanwhile, entered an early offseason seeking changes.

Out went coach Mike Budenholzer and in came rookie head coach Adrian Griffin and guard Damian Lillard.

Teaming two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with Lillard, a seven-time All-NBA selection, is projected to aid the Bucks’ pick-and-roll offensive sets, which struggled to generate consistent scoring last season.

Roster depth could be tested if the top-heavy roster endures an injury or two. The Bucks have a squad poised to contend for an NBA Finals appearance, but little bench flexibility. The Bucks employ nine players earning $2.6 million or less.

The team’s payroll disparity spiked Monday when Antetokounmpo inked a 3-year, $186 million extension.

ESPN record projection: 54-28.

Freak 5 Time pic.twitter.com/S1Gcwzjik6

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) October 22, 2023

Boston Celtics’ Starters Could Be Forced To Carry Club

The Boston Celtics bowed out in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, falling to the Heat. The Celtics fell flat early in the series, but nearly became the first team to rally from a 3-0 deficit.

Look for the Celtics to play hungry this season, seeing the franchise’s 18th championship banner.

Like the Bucks, the Celtics made a big move to shake up the roster.

Out went point guard Marcus Smart and in came center Kristaps Porzingis and point guard Jrue Holiday, plus two first-round draft picks.

The Celtics envision Porzingis and backup center Al Horford forming a reliable rotation. It may be key, considering the stats Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, two of the NBA’s top-20 talents, are expected to produce. Brown scored a career-best 26.6 points per game last season.

Coach Joe Mazzulla may have to work magic with the bench. Also, like the Bucks, the Celtics lack quality depth and may have to depend on top frontcourt reserves like Oshae Brissett and Luke Kornet.

The Celtics also need to answer internal questions regarding their postseason crunch-time failures. They were outscored by more than eight points when the score was within five and less than five minutes remaining in regulation or overtime during last season’s playoffs, according to NBA Advanced Stats.

ESPN record projection: 53-29.

Happy #NBAJerseyDay

Who was on the first NBA jersey you owned? We asked the guys that same question. pic.twitter.com/xvCtgf39VG

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 23, 2023

2023-24 NBA Championship Odds 

Here’s a look at the preseason 2023-24 NBA championship odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook: 

*-Odds current at time of publication

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