NBA Opening Lines : NBA Betting Predictions

After an incredible postseason and offseason that saw the landscape of the NBA change greatly, we analyse which teams are the best bet to win it all and which might just surprise a few.

Golden State Warriors: -110

The Warriors acquisition of Kevin Durant makes them far and away the best team in the NBA and Golden State will be adding another great chapter in the history books if they can work out all the kinks that is part and parcel with having so many stars on one squad.

This triumphant trio of @warriors are leaving Rio with #gold. #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/qo1PGIr2cL

— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) 21 agosto 2016

While the Warriors will likely have to make some slight changes to their style, there is no denying that they are the best three-point-shooting team of all-time (3P% .481 in 2016). Adding a bonafide top-three player who stands at 6’9” and hit 186 threes last season (.387), only makes this Warriors a scarier proposition from downtown. This team could be unplayable and should win it all.

Cleveland Cavaliers: +275

While the Warriors got significantly better during the offseason, one shouldn't forget that it was the Cavaliers who go into the 2016-17 campaign as defending champions. The Cavs, If LeBron James and Kyrie Irving continue to perform like they did in the NBA Finals, should handily win the Eastern Conference. The big question is whether or not they can beat a greatly improved Warriors side.

The Cavaliers are tasked with addressing the Kevin Love situation as his numbers declined drastically since his arrival from Minnesota. Love has dropped from 25.9 to 18.3 points per game since his days in Minnesota.

#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/3K5dfzllTK

— NBA TV (@NBATV) 1 agosto 2016

Love might be on the move, which will create more question marks in Cleveland.

Lebron is aging like a fine wine and holds most of the keys to Cleveland’s continued success. His point-per-game average hasn’t changed by more than a single point in the previous six seasons and he’ll need to be dominant once more for the Cavs to pose a serious title-defending threat.

Oklahoma City Thunder: +3300

The Thunder may have lost their franchise player but it’s not all doom and gloom in Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook will need to monumentally step up his game for the Thunder to maintain their Eastern Conference positioning from years past. Westbrook, in the last eight seasons, has averaged eight more points per game with Durant out of the lineup.

Russell: "Can't wait to see you guys Opening Night." pic.twitter.com/D0iHFsBzfb

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) 4 agosto 2016

He’ll need to better those totals this year, which is entirely possible. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough for this Thunder side to challenge the Utah Jazz or San Antonio Spurs for second and third fiddle in the West.

New York Knicks +6600 (Dark Horse Pick)

If you want a dark horse pick to win it all this year, back the New York Knicks at an astronomical +6600. The Knicks are an enigma and we don’t think anyone knows just what they’re capable of if all the stars align. The acquisition of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah will turn the Knicks into a dynamic team, one that should be able to score in many different fashions from all over the court.

The #Knicks are putting in work this summer #NewKnicks

: https://t.co/d9hg4IS4jz pic.twitter.com/xUHNsx4Par

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) 23 agosto 2016

Have a look at the full 2016-17 NBA schedule, find out the best betting lines for every regular-season game and heed some tips on how to make more money from your NBA bets. If Noah can return to his defensive player of the year capabilities, the Knicks might be able to bring back their big-rim-protector identity.

Anthony will have more success in isolation with a point guard like Rose spreading the floor and drawing attention away. Rose hasn't played with a small forward like Anthony so don't be surprised if these two work incredibly well together. Put a small bet down on the Knicks now before the price shortens.