Here’s a look at our NBA predictions for the 2017-18 regular season. I give out my projected standings for each division, as well as my expected records. You can use the projections to compare them with the actual win total numbers for each team.
I’ve also included the betting odds for each team to win their division, conference and NBA Finals. Click on the link for the most current NBA Finals odds and how the lines have changed since they first were released.
2017-18 NBA Regular Season & Play0ff Predictions
It’s hard to believe that the start of a new NBA season is already here. It seems like just yesterday the Warriors won the NBA title. Part of it’s they are starting earlier than normal this year, as they have eliminated teams having to play 4 games in 5 nights. The other is the league was center of attention right up until the start of football season and even into it.
We had a number of elite players switch teams in both conferences, as everyone tries to close the gap with Golden State. Carmelo Anthony and Paul George are now in OKC with reigning MVP winner Russell Westbrook. Chris Paul closed the championship door for the Clippers by jumping ship to the Rockets. Minnesota appears to have added itself into contention in the loaded West by bringing in Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson to pair with their two young stars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
In the East, Boston acquired Gordon Hayward from Utah and then landed Kyrie Irving after he basically demanded out of Cleveland. LeBron James is still with the Cavs, but he’s got a bunch of news faces to work. Former MVP, Derrick Rose, will take over at point guard for Irving. They also added in Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder in the trade from Boston. Not to mention Dwayne Wade is back with James, after he was bought out by the Bulls.
Those are just the big moves that took place. There’s several other storylines heading into the season. The two teams not in that elite class that everyone is talking about is the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers.
If Embiid can stay healthy and top picks Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz are close to as good as their potential, this team will be a force in the East. Even Vegas is high on this team. Only the Cavs, Celtics and Wizards have better odds to win it all out of the conference.
As for the Lakers, the drafting of Lonzo Ball and the Clippers losing Chris Paul has shifted the buzz in LA. Now it’s just a matter if the Lakers can live up to the hype. Either way, they figure to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch.
For those of you who don’t have the time to handicap the NBA this early in the season, be sure to check out our free NBA picks page and make sure you shop for the best NBA odds when you place your bet.
Pro Basketball Projected Standings & Team Betting Odds
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | Boston Celtics | 55-27 | 55.5 | -350 | +240 | +800 |
2nd | Toronto Raptors | 47-35 | 48.5 | +500 | +2000 | +7500 |
3rd | Philadelphia 76ers | 44-38 | 39.5 | +750 | +2000 | +6600 |
4th | Brooklyn Nets | 29-53 | 27 | +10000 | +50000 | +100000 |
5th | New York Knicks | 25-57 | 30.5 | +5000 | +25000 | +50000 |
Central
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | Cleveland Cavaliers | 50-32 | 53.5 | -1000 | -150 | +450 |
2nd | Milwaukee Bucks | 48-34 | 47.5 | +600 | +1600 | +6600 |
3rd | Detroit Pistons | 42-40 | 38.5 | +2500 | +7500 | +30000 |
4th | Indiana Pacers | 38-44 | 31.5 | +6600 | +25000 | +50000 |
5th | Chicago Bulls | 22-60 | 22 | +10000 | +25000 | +100000 |
Southeast
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | Washington Wizards | 51-31 | 48.5 | -250 | +1200 | +5000 |
2nd | Miami Heat | 44-38 | 43.5 | +350 | +2800 | +10000 |
3rd | Charlotte Hornets | 43-39 | 42.5 | +600 | +10000 | +50000 |
4th | Orlando Magic | 36-46 | 33.5 | +5000 | +50000 | +100000 |
5th | Atlanta Hawks | 30-52 | 25.5 | +5000 | +30000 | +100000 |
Western Conference
Northwest
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | Oklahoma City Thunder | 53-29 | 50.5 | -150 | +750 | +1200 |
2nd | Minnesota Timberwolves | 48-34 | 48.5 | +250 | +1600 | +2800 |
3rd | Denver Nuggets | 46-36 | 45.5 | +550 | +6600 | +15000 |
4th | Portland Trail Blazers | 41-41 | 42.5 | +1400 | +10000 | +20000 |
5th | Utah Jazz | 35-47 | 40.5 | +2000 | +10000 | +20000 |
Pacific
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | Golden State Warriors | 68-14 | 67.5 | -100000 | -275 | -160 |
2nd | Los Angeles Clippers | 44-38 | 43.5 | +2500 | +6600 | +12500 |
3rd | Los Angeles Lakers | 38-44 | 33.5 | +2500 | +6600 | +10000 |
4th | Phoenix Suns | 27-55 | 28.5 | +10000 | +30000 | +50000 |
5th | Sacramento Kings | 25-57 | 27.5 | +10000 | +30000 | +50000 |
Southwest
Standings | Betting Odds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Record | Win Total | Division | Conference | Finals |
1st | San Antonio Spurs | 59-23 | 55 | -110 | +750 | +1200 |
2nd | Houston Rockets | 54-28 | 55.5 | +110 | +1000 | +1600 |
3rd | New Orleans Pelicans | 44-38 | 39.5 | +2000 | +6600 | +15000 |
4th | Memphis Grizzlies | 41-41 | 37.5 | +3300 | +15000 | +30000 |
5th | Dallas Mavericks | 34-48 | 35.5 | +5000 | +20000 | +50000 |
Playoff Projections
East
1) Boston Celtics v 8) Charlotte Hornets
4) Milwaukee Bucks v 5) Toronto Raptors
3) Cleveland Cavaliers v 6) Philadelphia 76ers
2) Washington Wizards v 7) Miami Heat
West
1) Golden State Warriors v 8) New Orleans Pelicans
4) Oklahoma City Thunder v 5) Minnesota Timberwolves
3) Houston Rockets v 6) Denver Nuggets
2) San Antonio Spurs v 7) Los Angeles Clippers
Finals
Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers