2017-2018 NBA season betting preview

The new NBA season will kick off on October 17 and with just a couple of months left until then it would be a good time to have a look at the outright betting options. It is always tough to predict the outcome of a tournament before it even starts, but most times such bets can be very rewarding thanks to the rather appealing odds. But let’s have a look at the top five favorites for the 2017-2018 NBA season according to the bookmakers.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are the reigning champions and they are the bookmakers’ favorites for another NBA Championship title. Last season they were led by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the dynamic duo that produced a massive 47.6 points per game between them. Draymond Green also had an important contribution to the team’s success with his 7 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game on average. Star forward Kevin Durant added 25.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on average. With those kinds of stats and such prolific players, the Warriors will be tough to beat next season. Moreover, they have signed experienced shooting guard Nick Young from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, a player that averaged 13.2 points per game last season.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The reigning Eastern Conference champions are also among the bookmakers’ favorites for next season, with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love ready to provide the goodies once again. This summer they have brought in forward Jeff Green from Orlando Magic, point guard Derrick Rose from the New York Knicks, and small forward Cedi Osman from Turkey, an NBA rookie with interesting potential.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics had a solid performance last season, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals but lost 4-1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Isaiah Thomas led the team last season with several impressive performances, averaging 28.9 points per game, while Avery Bradley and Al Horford also helped the team significantly. The Celtics have been very active this summer, signing quite a few new players. The one that stands out is small forward Gordon Hayward from the Utah Jazz, a player that could make a big difference for the Celtics.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets had a sensational player that pretty much carried them on his shoulders throughout last season: James Harden. He provided 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game on average. Given that incredible track record, this summer he signed a four-year contract extension with the Rockets for approximately 160 million dollars, which means he earns 228 million in the six years of his deal, the richest contract in NBA history. Moreover, the Rockets signed point guard Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers this summer; he could become a valuable asset alongside Harden.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have been a rock-solid team for years, with the likes of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol always providing steady performances throughout the season. This summer they have signed Rudy Gay from the Sacramento Kings, Brandon Paul from Anadolu Efes and dominant center Joffrey Lauvergne, while extending the contracts of Patty Mills and Pau Gasol.

At the current odds, if you put 100 dollars on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship next season you would stand to win around 158 dollars. The Cleveland Cavaliers would bring you 600 dollars; the Celtics would make you 900 dollars richer, the Rockets would yield 950 dollars, while a triumph of the San Antonio Spurs would earn you 1200 dollars for a 100-dollar bet.