Darren Myers
- Bovada has released new odds for which NBA teams will win their respective divisions in 2018-19
- There’s a major logjam in the Northwest, where four teams have odds of +500 or better
- The Warriors remain the overwhelming favorites to win the Pacific Division with odds of -2000
Sorry Lakers fans, but your team has no shot of winning the Pacific Division this season. Not according to Bovada, at least. The online sportsbook has released new odds for which NBA teams will claim their respective divisions in 2018-19 and Golden State has emerged as the overwhelming favorite at -2000.
You won’t make much money off a wager like that, but there are plenty of excellent values hidden within the NBA’s other divisions. We’ve included the odds for all 30 teams below along with our own expert insights and betting advice.
2018-19 Atlantic Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Atlantic Division |
| Boston Celtics | -130 |
| Toronto Raptors | +280 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +285 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +15000 |
| New York Knicks | +20000 |
The Atlantic Division hasn’t produced an Eastern Conference champion since 2010, but that drought could soon be over thanks to the Celtics, who have the look of a dynasty in the making.
Boston exceeded all expectations in 2017-18 by pushing the Cavs to a seventh game in the Eastern Finals despite being without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The two All-Stars missed a combined 103 games last season, but are healthy once again and have been training together since mid Summer. They’ll be joined by a remarkably cohesive group that includes five-time All-Star Al Horford, All-Rookie honoree Jayson Tatum, and hyper-athletic shooting guard Jaylen Brown.
Terry Rozier said he saw Gordon Hayward at the facility yesterday. “He’s moving great. He’s looking great.”
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 6, 2018
Boston has the depth, talent, and playmaking to win the Atlantic Division and return to the NBA Finals for the first time in nine years.
2018-19 Central Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Central Division |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +120 |
| Indiana Pacers | +135 |
| Detroit Pistons | +500 |
| Chicago Bulls | +3500 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +3500 |
The days of penciling in the Cavs to win the Central Division are long over thanks to LeBron’s West Coast defection. Bovada likes the Bucks at +120, but don’t be surprised if the Pacers overtake them when all is said and done.
Indiana finished with four more wins than Milwaukee in 2017-18 and bolstered its bench by signing three-point marksman Doug McDermott and former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans. McDermott should do wonders for Indy’s floor spacing, while Evans gives them a high volume scorer who can create shots for himself and others.
2018-19 Southeast Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Southeast Division |
| Washington Wizards | -140 |
| Miami Heat | +170 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +1400 |
| Orlando Magic | +1400 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +7500 |
The Wizards aren’t likely to follow in the Capitals’ footsteps and bring another championship to DC, but they are a safe bet to win the Southeast Division. Washington has the Eastern Conference’s best backcourt and it strengthened its defense by acquiring three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard. The well-travelled pivot finished fourth in rebounds and tenth in blocks last season and still has plenty of spring left in his 32-year-old legs.
2018-19 Northwest Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Northwest Division |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +200 |
| Utah Jazz | +240 |
| Denver Nuggets | +450 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +500 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +650 |
Oklahoma City and Utah are both viable picks, but the real value lies with the Nuggets at +450. Denver eked out 46 wins in 2017-18 despite having the NBA’s youngest roster and losing four-time All-Star Paul Millsap for 44 games. That loss can’t be understated as the 33-year-old power forward makes Denver significantly better at both ends of the court thanks to his exceptional help defense and selflessness on offense.
Millsap is healthy once again and will be joined this season by a bona fide blue chip prospect in Michael Porter Jr., and the NBA’s ultimate wild card in Isaiah Thomas. The 5’9″ dynamo is no longer an MVP candidate, but he proved in Los Angeles that he can still be a valuable spark plug off the bench.
2018-19 Pacific Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Pacific Division |
| Golden State Warriors | -2000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +700 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +5000 |
| Phoenix Suns | +15000 |
| Sacramento Kings | +50000 |
There’s no value in wagering on the Warriors at -2000, but betting on any other team amounts to throwing your money away. The defending champs kept their superlative core in tact while adding DeMarcus Cousins to the mix on a ridiculously team-friendly contract. Golden State can now become the first team since the 1975-76 Celtics to start five players who appeared in the previous year’s All-Star Game. Bet on anyone else at your own peril.
2018-19 Southwest Division Odds
| Team | Odds to win the Southwest Division |
| Houston Rockets | -450 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +600 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +760 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +6000 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +6500 |
Bovada is bullish on the Rockets, but the real value here is the Pelicans at +760. New Orleans went 17-8 after the All-Star break and averaged 114.5 points per game in their stunning first round sweep of the Trail Blazers.
Julius Randle is a capable ball handler who is more than comfortable with pushing the tempo. Him and Anthony Davis are going to be a nightmare out in transition. pic.twitter.com/9XQveJza2t
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Cardenas) August 21, 2018
NOLA has the league’s best two-way player in Anthony Davis, an underrated floor general in Jrue Holiday, and an intriguing new toy in free agent Julius Randle. Alvin Gentry’s squad is built to run and gun and should keep opponents on their heels all season long.
