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The NBA preseason may seem pointless to some, but for others, it's a crucial time before the season starts for teams to evaluate their starting line-ups, try out new play styles and strategies, and get ready for what can happen in the upcoming season of the world's most competitive men's professional basketball league.
In the opening preseason game, the Celtics beat the Nuggets 107-103, and then on October 7, their second victory was slightly more convincing when they won 130-104.
Let's now take a quick look at several hotly anticipated fixtures that are still to come in the 2024/25 NBA preseason schedule and at some of the regular season odds for the NBA 2024/24 Champion outright winner market.
Which 2024/25 NBA preseason fixtures will be worth watching
If you're a basketball fan who can't wait for the regular NBA season to start, then most of the preseason games will be worth watching, especially if you want to catch a glimpse of what might happen in the regular 2024/25 NBA season, which starts on Wednesday, October 23.
Here are a few tasty upcoming preseason fixtures that you might want to add to your diary:
Date: October 12. Fixture: Timberwolves vs 76ers
Date: October 12. Fixture: Wizards vs Raptors
Date: October 12. Fixture: Suns vs Pistons
Date: October 13. Fixture: Celtics vs 76ers
Date: October 13. Fixture: Bulls vs Grizzlies
Date: October 13. Fixture: Knicks vs Timberwolves
If you want more suggestions, then you may also want to tune in for the Bucks vs Bulls on October 15. On the same day, the Clippers play the Mavericks, and then on October 16, you have Heat vs Spurs, the Nuggets vs Thunder, and the Lakers vs Warriors.
On October 19, don't forget to check out the Bulls vs Cavaliers, the Trail Blazers vs Jazz, and the Warriors vs the Lakers.
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Who will win the 2024/25 NBA Championship outright?
Based on the latest average odds, the Boston Celtics are the current odds-on favourites to win the upcoming 2024/25 NBA Championship outright.
For example, if you were to place a wager on this particular market right now, you would be looking at average odds of around 4.00 (decimal odds), which is the same as saying +300 in the American/moneyline odds format or 3/1 in fractional odds. It also means the Celtics have a 25.00% IPR (implied probability rate) of winning.
In comparison, the two joint-second odds-on favourites, the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, are both priced at around 8.00 (+700 or 7/1) with a 12.50% IPR.
Who will most likely win the Western/Eastern Conferences?
If you hadn't already guessed, Oklahoma are the odds-on favourites to win the Western Conference outright at around 4.00, and the Boston Celtics are the odds-on favourites to win the Eastern Conference at around 2.50.
What other NBA bets are currently trending that I should know about?
If you want to bet on the Pacific Division winner, you might want to consider the Phoenix Suns. The Dallas Mavericks are the clear favourites to win the Southwest Division, and Orlando Magic are the favourites to win the Southeast Division.
Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks) is the current odds-on favourite to win the NBA Clutch Player of the Year 2024/25 award, and, although it's still only preseason, Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies) is the odds-on favourite to win the NBA Coach of the Year award.
Final thoughts
Before placing bets on the NBA, the best thing to do is research what you are about to bet on. Always keep a close eye on the odds/implied probability rates, and try to stay on top of the latest news, gossip, and rumours.
Doing so can help you place far more informed bets that will have a slightly greater chance of returning you a profit (but still never guaranteed).
