NBA Betting Tips: Top Picks & Outright Bets 2024-25

With the 2024-25 NBA season brewing hot, it does seem that there are a lot of big expectations coming up for various teams, players, and even head coaches. This season seems to be quite a bigger run than what most people expect, and it is easy to say that there are a lot of bets coming your way as the blazing NBA action ensues now more than ever!

What’s at Stake in the 2024-25 NBA Season?

Buckle up and get ready for some intense action as the NBA season begins! This season has a lot of bearing than most people think. Sure, the Boston Celtics are slated to defend their title, but there are now a lot of rising contenders who are expected to make some noise in the Eastern Conference to directly challenge the Celtics.

Boston is staging a run for back-to-back championships image

Then there’s the wild, wild, Western Conference that has been competitive for so many years, and it cannot be denied that the league is starting to shape up with more contenders on the rise now more than ever. Suffice to say, we are expecting to make a wide array of bets at the same time, and no one can deny the fact that there are plenty of wagers to be made in a single game day, but we are talking about the “long run”, the ones that pay off big at the end of the season or the playoffs.

Of course, not everyone has an idea of what to bet on or which team to root for, and there are no guarantees in the NBA much like how there is no easy win in the games. This is why it cannot be denied that learning a lot about the picks to make in betting on the NBA season should definitely be a priority for many players.

The Big Bets to Make in the 2024-25 NBA Season

The stakes are high in the NBA to begin the season, and it seems that there are a lot of teams and players who are keen to come up with a massive boost in their games with the hopes of securing a title and proving themselves to the rest of the NBA world. What better time there is to join in on the hype and place your bets?

Here are some of the biggest bets you should consider making right now:

Who Will Win the NBA Finals?

OKC's youth is favored to win it all this year image

The NBA Finals is definitely locked well for the Boston Celtics at this point. Boston began the season as the heavy favorite with +300. However, one should always consider that the odds don’t exactly tell the whole picture. We’ve got the Oklahoma City Thunder (+1,000) emerging as the second favorite to win, thanks to their impressive yet low-key upgrades in the offseason. Of course, the New York Knicks (+1,000) made some sudden jumps in the odds right now despite beginning as a fourth pick to win the Finals after a splash trade that netted them Karl-Anthony Towns, which is why fans should actually consider picking between these three teams.

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Oklahoma City Thunder

Second Favorite: Boston Celtics

Dark Horse to Consider: New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers

Who Will Win the MVP?

The MVP is much more of a prop bet, but it is quite an outright thing to consider as well. The previous winner Nikola Jokic is the leading pick for most sports books right now. However, it is worth noting that MVP winners are often based on their respective team’s performances and how well these players impact their overall standings with impressive stat lines, blazing games, and so on. That being said, we may have to consider the best odds for the team that has the biggest potential to land the NBA Finals as well.

SGA is primed for a massive breakout season image

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Second Favorite: Nikola Jokic

Dark Horse: Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Who Will Win the Rookie of the Year?

Zach Edey is a prime pick for the Rookie of the Year Award image

After Victor Wembanyama, there isn’t really much of a big pick to win in the Rookie of the Year Race. Many have headlined 1st overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to be the default candidate at this point in time, but it is worth noting that there are also many other candidates who might even emerge as a pick to win in the said award. Considering the preseason action, there are a few names who might get a chance to win the ROTY award.

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Zach Edey

Second Favorite: Zaccharie Risacher

Dark Horse: Dillon Jones, Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Reed Sheppard

Who Will Win the Coach of the Year?

Coach of the Year is awarded to the chief mastermind of a team who has been able to make a massive impact and lead the team to massive success. While not all teams that have the best record clearly win the COTY, significant impact, such as leading a team to make a jump from being at the bottom last season to the top of their respective conferences, setting a franchise record or a league record, can be enough to make a strong case for a coach to win this award. Last year’s winner, Mark Daigneault, is expected to make the same strong case for his win with the Thunder last time.

This is Mark Daigneault's year to lose image

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Mark Daigneault

Second Favorite: Jamahl Mosley

Dark Horse: Joe Mazzulla, Ime Udoka, Taylor Jenkins

Which Team Will Win the Emirates NBA Cup?

The In-Season Tournament, now known as the Emirates NBA Cup, seems to be quite a nuisance at first, but later had enough success in the later months of the season. The Los Angeles Lakers are set to defend their title for the NBA Cup this year, but it seems that many other teams are now starting to make an interest in the said tournament as well. For starters, the Boston Celtics are emerging as the favorite to win it at +500. This is followed by the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder (+850), New York Knicks (+950), Minnesota Timberwolves (+950), and the Philadelphia 76ers (+1000).

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Boston Celtics

Second Favorite: Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks

Dark Horse: Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers

Which Team Finishes with the Most Wins?

Celtics and Thunder are expected to come up with the most wins this season image

An over/under market to spice up your betting picks, yes. Win totals work as a promising notion for fans, analysts, and so-called experts to predict how many wins can respective teams accumulate by the end of the 82-game season. It cannot be denied that the Celtics are emerging as an easy pick here, being predicted to come up with the most wins with at least 58.5 wins. The Thunder cut it close with a predicted 56.5 wins, followed by the New York Knicks (54.5 wins), Minnesota Timberwolves (52.5 wins), Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins), and the Denver Nuggets with 51.5 wins predicted. Surprisingly. The Washington Wizards are predicted to have the least wins with 20.5.

GambleSpot Pick to Win: Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder (tie)

Second Favorite: New York Knicks

Dark Horse: Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets

What to Expect in the 2024-25 NBA Season?

As we look ahead to the 2024-25 NBA season, fans can anticipate an exciting mix of emerging talent, fierce competition, and potential storylines that could shape the future of the league. Key rivalries may intensify, with longstanding foes and fresh matchups creating thrilling playoff implications. What’s important at this point in time is that you make the right bets to win and make the most of your chances!

Make sure to visit GambleSpot and check out our odds calculator. You can even spice up your experience by asking our Gamble AI for ideas on unique betting propositions. Don’t miss out on the latest happenings in the NBA and the rest of the sports and esports world with us today!