PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 02: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against the … [+]
Nowadays, betting on sports has become more mainstream than the original taboo label placed upon it decades ago. As many states legalize sports gambling and rake in the profits, odds are now a focus for any content-creation lane within the industry. Some are even building sportsbooks within their arenas or stadiums, promoting it to live bet the action as it happens.
Within the NBA, betting is becoming a critical part of the puzzle for many general fans. It helps draw in more viewers, but also keeps the average fan engaged if they have an incentive in the action. As this continues to explode in popularity, there’s no better way to take advantage than finding some juicy preseason over/under win totals to monitor leading into the 2022-23 season.
What are some of the best overall value plays from an odds perspective? Let’s dive into five season-long win totals with odds that stand out from the rest.
Phoenix Suns: Over 52.5 wins (+105)
Although the Western Conference continues to pave a tougher road for the Suns to maintain elite status, the +105 odds to more than double your wager easily stands out at No. 1.
Since the Orlando Bubble, Phoenix has consistently been the best team in the Association. When they’re firing on all cylinders, the Suns are one of the most dominant teams on both ends of the court.
The star backcourt tandem of Chris Paul and Devin Booker tactically slice through defenses. Their young core including Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson all figure to have increased roles this season, too. Also, the Suns’ bench and overall depth continue to stay in the top tier.
A big number already at 52.5, health-permitting Phoenix should still finish as a top-three seed in the West. Booker and the Suns’ core, sans Paul, are now entering their prime years. If all goes to plan, they will help take pressure off the future Hall of Fame point guard more often than not.
Phoenix is still missing a consistent go-to scorer to spell Booker, which slipped through their hands after Kevin Durant’s preferred outcome this offseason did not occur, but they are still an elite all-around team. At +105 odds, the Suns taking a serious step-back doesn’t feel all too realistic.
Chicago Bulls: Under 41.5 wins (+105)
As evidenced by their mid-season slippage, Chicago truly misses the connecting presence of Lonzo Ball. Now sidelined for another few months at least following his third knee surgery, the Bulls’ underrated piece of the puzzle missing in action will loom large.
DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine will carry the scoring load, but what other pieces will step up consistently? Chicago was in on Rudy Gobert before the Minnesota Timberwolves blew everyone out of the water with their trade offer. Gobert or another dominant big feels like the missing element to this team, as currently constructed.
Also, the Eastern Conference got even tougher throughout the offseason. The Bulls flirted with elite play for a few months, but injuries began to detail that train others quickly.
Betting on recent trends, the under 41.5 win total at +105 value is a smart dart throw here.
Orlando Magic: Under 26.5 wins (+100)
There’s real anticipation surrounding the Magic this season, but they do feel one year away from really taking the massive jump forward.
No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero was the biggest surprise, but he’s already proven to be a capable go-to scorer in Las Vegas Summer League action. Banchero joins Franz Wagner, another young player who showed a leap throughout EuroBasket. Orlando’s young nucleus doesn’t stop there either. Possessing one of the Association’s most youthful rotations, it’s an all-in bet on their core rising together over a long-term timeline.
The best outcome for the Magic, though, could be entering tank mode one final time to land either Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson atop the 2023 NBA Draft.
If the Magic pull the plug on trying for wins at any point, the 26.5 win total could be a smart one to hammer the under on. There will be many teams vying for the top spot of this year’s draft, no question.
Utah Jazz: Under 24.5 wins (-110)
After being a consistent threat in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz blew it all up this summer trading away their three best players: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic. More veterans currently on Utah’s roster will soon be moved elsewhere, including guards Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson.
The teardown in Salt Lake City is in overdrive right now under the watchful eye of Danny Ainge, an architect of building a sustainable winner. They are a team firmly entrenched for the race to land Wembanyama or Henderson, checking in with one of the lowest win totals available at 24.5.
Utah’s current roster is filled with veterans who know their time isn’t long there alongside some youthful pieces added via various deals. With more trades on the way, hammering -110 value on the bottom here is the safest direction to lean.
Indiana Pacers: Under 23.5 wins (-110)
Rounding out the list is an organization completely unfamiliar with their current projection of 23.5 wins. The Pacers are ready to fully embrace tank mode for the greater good of their long-term outlook.
Expect to see Myles Turner and Buddy Hield traded before February’s deadline as they go completely into a new vision headlined by point guard Tyrese Haliburton, which includes internal optimism for a full-fledged breakout campaign. Alongside Haliburton, Indiana is building an enticing young core of pieces: No. 6 overall pick Benedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, Chris Duarte.
Indiana checks in with the second-lowest win total in the NBA, which should come as no surprise when you look at their rotation.
Starters: Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Jalen Smith, Myles Turner
Second Unit: TJ McConnell, Benedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Terry Taylor, Isaiah Jackson
With the expectation that two of those starters will be on the move within the next few months to clear more playing time for valued core pieces, feel comfortable wagering on the under at 23.5 wins. If Indiana were to receive lottery luck for the first time in franchise history to secure Wembanyma, they are an organization primed for liftoff in 2023-24.
(Note: All odds are provided by DraftKings.)
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