2024-25 NBA Eastern Conference Odds and Predictions

Visit The Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership
For More Expert NBA Picks!

Get Free Trial

The 2024-25 NBA season is nearly to the All-Star break. While we’re already past the actual halfway point of the season, most evaluators use the break as a way to take stock of what we’ve seen so far. If you’re the betting type, you can also use the downtime to analyze what the future may hold not only in the Eastern Conference but the 2024-25 NBA Championship as well.

The Eastern Conference may not be quite as deep as the Western Conference, but let’s not forget the reigning champion Boston Celtics are still the team to beat out East. They’re hardly the only Eastern Conference squad with the potential to win the title, either.

With several teams looking to secure their place atop the standings, the NBA odds have shifted as the season has unfolded. Below, we take a look at the latest odds, the top contenders, and our predictions for who will win the East.

2024-25 NBA Eastern Conference Odds

Check out the latest NBA Eastern Conference Championship odds, courtesy of the hottest sports betting sites:

The Celtics began the season as the clear favorites, with +130 opening odds, and have since solidified their position with +110 current odds. The Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, have seen a dramatic rise from +2000 to +340, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders despite not garnering much attention from oddsmakers before the campaign began.

The New York Knicks have also improved their Eastern Conference title odds from +450 to +390. Other teams, like the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic, are now seen as potential value bets due to their longer current odds.

NBA Eastern Conference Favorites

Betting on the NBA Eastern Conference winner? Start with the following three teams.

Boston Celtics (+110)

The Celtics remain the dominant force in the Eastern Conference. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge, Boston’s roster is both deep and experienced.

As long as Tatum and Brown are in their respective primes, this team is going to be a challenger in the conference. There’s a reason Boston has made 3 consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, and 2 of those seasons culminated in NBA Finals appearances. They finally won their first championship since 2008 last year.

Several other contenders are making moves prior to the trade deadline, but the Celtics likely don’t need reinforcements. Kristaps Porzingis is still an underrated weapon as long as he can stay healthy, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday combine to form one of the league’s most terrorizing defensive backcourts. Payton Pritchard appears headed for a Sixth Man of the Year trophy, as well.

As always, health will be key. Boston managed to survive a late-season injury to Porzingis last year, but winning consecutive titles is exceedingly difficult. The +110 odds are justifiable, though I wouldn’t be excited to bet on a team at odds barely better than even money with so much time left in the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+340)

The Cavaliers have surged into contention thanks to a young and dynamic roster. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland anchor a potent offense, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen dominate the defensive end. Their significant jump in odds from +2000 to +340 reflects their impressive form and ability to challenge top teams in the playoffs.

Mobley, in particular, has taken a step forward this season. He’s been a useful offensive player through the first few years of his career, but he’s emerged this season as one of the Cavs’ reliable go-to guys on that end of the floor. The 23-year-old earned his first All-Star nomination with averages of 18.3 points, 9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. The USC product has also connected on better than 39 percent of his 3-point attempts, which is easily a career-best.

Do the Cavs have enough wing depth to compete? That’s the one clear weakness on the roster, though the Cavs tried to address it prior to the trade deadline. Cleveland swung a deal with Atlanta for De’Andre Hunter, who’s been one of the league’s best 3-point marksmen this year. Despite an impressive overall record of 41-10, the Cavaliers are 18-7 against teams with winning records. They’ve done a good job of beating up on the league’s dregs, with a record of 23-3 vs. losing outfits.

Cleveland is a better value than Boston given the +340 Eastern Conference title odds, but I’d rather take a stab at a team with longer odds than put money down on a Cavs team that’s struggled in the playoffs in recent years.

New York Knicks (+390)

The Knicks continue to prove their legitimacy as a top Eastern Conference contender. Leon Rose has done a terrific job of reshaping the roster around Jalen Brunson, and that aggressiveness in the trade market has paid dividends. Just over the past year, New York has added all of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Precious Achiuwa via trade.

KAT has proven to be a particularly shrewd addition, especially considering the Knicks got him for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. All Towns has done in his first season in NYC is average 24.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and about a block per game while shooting a blistering 42.3 percent from 3-point country. That’s Towns’ highest scoring average since the 2021-22 season, while he’s rebounding and shooting better than he ever has before.

We’ll see if the Knicks’ lack of depth proves to be their undoing. Tom Thibodeau runs a very thin rotation, which means his core players are often playing upwards of 40 minutes in regulation games. That’s all fine and dandy during the regular season, but injuries and fatigue could be an issue later in the season. We saw this play out last year, when Jalen Brunson and Randle were hobbled by injuries as the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semis.

This team is legitimately dangerous if healthy. I slightly prefer betting the Knicks at +390 to the Cavs at +340 as things stand today.

Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)

The Bucks’ odds have lengthened from +600 to +1000, but they’re a dangerous team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still one of the league’s most dominant players, and if Milwaukee can address their inconsistent supporting cast, they could regain their position as one of the East’s top teams.

Milwaukee swung for the fences prior to the trade deadline by moving rotation mainstay Khris Middleton to Washington in exchange for swingman Kyle Kuzma. Middleton has had major injury issues in recent years, and the Bucks are hoping Kuzma can return to form amid a down season in Washington. He’s shooting just 28 percent from 3-point range, but we can reasonably expect some improvement given his career 33.4 percentage from downtown.

Milwaukee won the title with a similar roster just a few years ago, but they’ve struggled defensively since swapping Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard. Holiday was one of the league’s better defensive guards, and Lillard is much more of a force offensively. The Bucks are still a respectable 10th in defensive efficiency, and it’s a little surprising to see a team with a player as impactful as Antetokounmpo listed with such long odds to win the conference (+1000).

I think you can take a flier on the Bucks. There are still some winning pieces here, it’s just a matter of whether they can overcome Doc Rivers.

Best Eastern Conference Betting Value

The following teams are our NBA picks for the best betting value to win the NBA Eastern Conference:

Indiana Pacers (+3000)

It’s easy to forget now, but the Indiana Pacers are fresh off of a very successful season. Not only did Indiana reach the final round of the NBA Cup in 2023-24, but they also made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana was ultimately ousted by the Celtics in a 4-game sweep, but there was still reason for optimism heading into the new campaign.

As we near the break, the Pacers are sitting at 28-21, which is good for the No. 4 spot in the conference standings. In spite of that, the Pacers are generating next to no buzz when it comes to their chances to contend. Tyrese Haliburton – last year’s breakout star – has taken a step back statistically this season, but Indiana still boasts a solid roster full of capable NBA talent.

Last year’s splashy trade for Pascal Siakam made the Pacers better, but it wasn’t enough to get them past the Celtics. While they are in front of teams like the Bucks and Miami Heat in the standings, Indiana is still facing wildly long +3000 odds to win the East. I wouldn’t necessarily advocate for betting on this team to reach the NBA Finals, but you can do worse if you’re hunting for a long shot with potential.

Orlando Magic (+4500)

The Magic are a true dark horse, but at +4500 odds, they could offer significant returns. Young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have shown flashes of brilliance, and Orlando has the potential to pull off surprises if they continue to develop chemistry and consistency.

Banchero and Wagner have both missed significant time this season with oblique injuries – oddly enough – but both are now healthy. Orlando was one of the league’s stingiest defensive teams earlier in the year, and they’ll likely return to form once Jalen Suggs gets back on the floor. Suggs has been in and out of the lineup in recent weeks with a back injury, but he’s been one of the league’s best on-ball perimeter defenders this season.

Do the Magic have enough offense to beat a team like Boston in a playoff series? That’s the question. Banchero and Wagner are terrific talents, but the Magic are just 29th in the league in offensive rating so far this season. They’re scoring fewer points per 100 possessions than teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz. They say defense wins championships, but you can’t win a title in the NBA these days without at least an average offense.

Still, Orlando is better than their +4500 Eastern Conference title odds would lead you to believe.

Top NBA Eastern Conference Longshot

The Detroit Pistons (+20000) probably won’t win anything of substance, but their improvement so far this season is still worth mentioning. Remember last year when Detroit endured a 29-game losing streak and finished the season just 14-68? Well, they’ve already won 25 games so far this season, and they’d be the No. 7 seed in the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today. Their leap from last season to this season is remarkable.

Cade Cunningham sure looks like a superstar, while Detroit has gotten useful contributions from guys like Jalen Duren and veterans Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley. The long-term injury to Jaden Ivey stinks, but this Pistons team is one to be reckoned with. I don’t think they’re all that likely to make a deep playoff run, but they won’t be an easy out if they’re lucky enough to punch a ticket to the postseason.

At +20000 odds to win the Eastern Conference, oddsmakers seem to think the Pistons are still one of the worst teams in the NBA. That quite clearly is not the case, so they’re not the craziest long-shot wager if you’re aware of the obvious risk.

NBA Eastern Conference Predictions

The Boston Celtics are clearly the most likely team to win the Eastern Conference, thanks to their depth, star power, incredible 3-point prowess, and playoff experience.

However, teams like the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks are fully capable of giving Boston a sweat. Boston is the most likely team to win the conference for the 2nd year in a row, but I’m not a fan of the +110 odds. Instead, give me New York as the best value here at +390.

Best Bet: New York Knicks (+390)

NBA Eastern Conference Prop Bets

Want more options when betting on the Eastern Conference this year? Consider the following props:

Eastern Conference Top Seed

• Boston Celtics -125
• New York Knicks +475
• Philadelphia 76ers +500
• Milwaukee Bucks +700
• Cleveland Cavaliers +1800

You can bet on which team will earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. A tad concerned Boston will eventually succumb to injuries or get upset in the playoffs? It’s not impossible, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense that they wouldn’t have the best record in the conference.

Philly, New York, Milwaukee, and perhaps the Cleveland Cavaliers are all in the mix, to be sure. If I had to make a secondary bet, it’d be between the 76ers and Bucks. But much like the original wager, I am sticking with the Celtics here.

Bet: Boston Celtics -125

Eastern Conference 2nd Seed

• Boston Celtics +300
• New York Knicks +350
• Philadelphia 76ers +375
• Milwaukee Bucks +450
• Cleveland Cavaliers +900

Here is where you can start hunting for some value. The annoying thing about value is that it always looks good, but it often pulls you away from the bet that is actually the best.

That isn’t the case here, as Boston isn’t a good bet to finish outside of the #1 seed. That has me eyeing the Knicks, 76ers, or Bucks here. You could argue for any of them, but the one with the most formidable talent and proven regular season dominance is Milwaukee.

They also happen to offer the best package of realistic ability and value. Philly isn’t far behind, but I can’t bring myself to trust Joel Embiid.

Bet: Milwaukee Bucks +450

Eastern Conference 3rd Seed

• New York Knicks +375
• Philadelphia 76ers +425
• Milwaukee Bucks +450
• Cleveland Cavaliers +550
• Boston Celtics +600

Lastly, you can bet on who will wrap up the 3rd overall seed in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25.

With the Celtics feeling like a lock up top and the Bucks my pick to be second, I think this one comes down to the Knicks and 76ers. Philly has a little more star power, so I wouldn’t be shocked if the Knicks slid a tiny bit and Embiid and co. held onto the third seed.

Cleveland won 48 games a year ago and is still in play, but there are trade rumors circling Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, so I personally want to avoid the Cavs.

Bet: Philadelphia 76ers +425

Recent NBA Eastern Conference Winners