The NBA Atlantic Division has a long history of excellence in the Eastern Conference. The division is home to the current NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics. The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are also projected to be two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference next season. The NBA Atlantic Division will be competitive and we are going to take a look at the NBA odds and see which team is the best bet to win.
NBA Odds: Breaking Down the Favorites in the Atlantic Division
*NBA Odds courtesy of FanDuel.com*
Boston Celtics: The Defending Champions
The Boston Celtics are both the defending Atlantic Division and NBA Champions. They were the best team in the league last season and have not changed their roster much. Despite their dominant performance last season, the team still faces the challenge of the championship hangover.
Jayson Tatum predicted a rematch for the 2025 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/1tfllnlcoy
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) September 12, 2024
Historically, defending champions have struggled to meet or exceed their win total projections in the following season. While the Celtics roster only seems to be getting better, the physical and mental toll of a championship run (and Olympic participation from three key players) could impact their performance. The Celtics are currently –145 to win the NBA Atlantic Division. Expect another strong season from the Celtics roster this year. However, a step back from last season opens an opportunity for another team to take the division.
New York Knicks: Aiming for More
Bing Bong! The Knicks are officially back. The team won 50 games for the first time since 2013 and has only improved upon last year’s team. The New York Knick roster is one of the deepest in the league and will likely contend as one of the best defenses in the NBA. The Knicks 2024-25 odds project to win 53.5 games this year after a successful offseason.
The highlight of the Knicks offseason was making a blockbuster trade for Mikal Bridges. Bridges, former Villanova teammate of Knick’s Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, adds another defensive-minded scorer to the Knicks roster. With Bridges and a full season from OG Anunoby (they were 20-3 when he played last season) the Knicks can contend for a championship next year. Taking them at +300 to win the NBA Atlantic Division could be a solid NBA bet.
Jalen Brunson is 27.
Mikal Bridges is 27.
OG Anunoby is 26.
Julius Randle is 29.
Mitchell Robinson is 26.
Deuce McBride is 23.
Donte DIvincenzo is 27.
Josh Hart is 29.The Knicks have an elite rotation, and not one player has even turned 30 yet. Here to stay. pic.twitter.com/flO58oUIxV
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) June 26, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers: Health is Key
The time bomb begins on Joel Embiid‘s tenure with the 76ers. Headed into a contract year your feelings about the team’s chances could be boiled down to your thoughts on Embiid. Embiid’s ability to show up during the regular season and especially the playoffs will be a determining factor of 76ers success.
The Philadelphia 76ers roster won the offseason with the addition of Paul George joining in free agency. Sixers roster excitement also extends to the additions of Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond. The Sixers won 47 games last season and are projected for 52.5 this season. The Sixers’ odds to win the NBA Atlantic Division is +310, but expect them to focus more on being healthy for the playoffs than regular season wins.
BREAKING: Free agent F Paul George has agreed on a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. George committed in a meeting with Sixers officials and returns East to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in pursuit of an NBA title. pic.twitter.com/pkCfGu3hyp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
Toronto Raptors: Young and Hungry
The Raptors added young talent through the draft and re-signed their core players, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, to long-term deals. The focus on youth suggests they are not aiming for immediate playoff contention, but the Raptors roster is ready to compete. The Raptors might be able to sneak into the play-in tournament in the bottom-heavy Eastern Conference.
The Raptors only won 25 games last season. The NBA betting odds are projecting them to win 30.5 games in the 2024-25 season. Despite the expected improvement, the Raptors are long shots to win the division at +50000.
Brooklyn Nets: Potentially Worst Team in the NBA
The Brooklyn Nets roster is looking rough. This offseason, the Nets embraced a full rebuild, trading Mikal Bridges and prioritizing future draft picks. The Nets roster’s remaining veteran talent, including Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, could be moved soon as well. While they have some young players with potential, the Nets are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this season.
The Nets won 32 games last season, however, NBA odds makers are expecting them to take a big step back. Their 2024-25 NBA odds are projecting them for 18.5 wins. Like the Raptors the Nets are +50000 to win the NBA Atlantic Division.
