2024-25 NBA Northwest Division Odds and Predictions

The Northwest Division figures to be among the most competitive in the NBA in 2024-25. The Northwest features a trio of legitimate championship contenders in the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are both in the rebuilding phase, so it’s unlikely either team will make a hard push for the postseason.

Below is an in-depth betting analysis for each team in the division. NBA betting sites have a host of futures betting options available, and I’ll offer my favorite way to bet on each of the teams in the Northwest entering the new campaign.

NBA Northwest Division Teams

The Northwest Division features five teams with plenty of star power. In addition to the two-time NBA Champs Denver Nuggets, this division also consists of rising franchises in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. Both squads are expected to make some noise this year. Bringing up the bottom of the division are the Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers. Although each team has some exciting, young stars, these teams are at least a season away from competing for the postseason. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Northwest Division teams:

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Division Odds: -110
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-2500), No (+1100)
• Play-In Tournament: +800
• Win Total: O/U 56.5 (-105/-115)

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2024-25 season as the favorites to win the Northwest Division, and for good reason. After a breakout 2023-24 campaign, this young and talented team is poised to continue its upward trajectory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a legitimate MVP contender, and his all-around game makes OKC one of the most dynamic teams in the league. Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, rising stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams offer playmaking and scoring depth. 

The Thunder will also benefit from the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. comes over from Chicago with a reputation as one of the game’s peskiest perimeter defenders. Hartenstein had a breakout season of his own last year with the Knicks, and he’ll help to boost a frontcourt whose depth was sorely lacking a season ago.

The key for Oklahoma City this season will be maintaining consistency over an 82-game stretch and improving on their defensive weaknesses. While they were an offensive powerhouse, the team had issues protecting the rim and rebounding, areas that Hartenstein can address. The Thunder’s versatility and depth will allow them to compete at a high level, but they must prove they can manage the pressure of being the division favorites. Their youth may also lead to some hiccups, but the ceiling for this group is incredibly high, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way.

Having a capable defensive center is of huge importance in a division that also features Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert. OKC was one of the NBA’s worst rebounding teams a season ago, and they were absolutely dominated on the boards by Derrick Lively in their second-round loss to Dallas in the playoffs.

With a win total set at 56.5, Oklahoma City is expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The Thunder’s dominance in the division and projected improvement makes the Over 56.5 wins (-105) a strong betting option. Given their depth and talent, the Thunder should comfortably clear this number if they stay healthy. Betting on them to miss the playoffs at +1100 offers little value due to their near-certainty of postseason success. The play-in odds (+800) reflect the unlikelihood of them finishing outside of the top six.

Best Bet: Over 56.5 Wins (-105) – The Thunder’s young core is improving rapidly, and the additions of Caruso and Hartenstein 
add much-needed defense. They should surpass this total in a competitive Western Conference.

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Division Odds: +230
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-1200), No (+700)
• Play-In Tournament: +390
• Win Total: O/U 52.5 (-105/-115)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the more intriguing teams heading into the 2024-25 season. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards form one of the most exciting duos in the league, but the big question remains their ability to find consistency. Edwards – now a bona fide All-Star – continues to grow as an offensive force and leader. Meanwhile, Towns remains one of the league’s best offensive big men, but health has been a concern in recent seasons. If the two can stay on the court together and develop chemistry, Minnesota has the potential to not only compete for the division but also make a deep playoff run.

Edwards is a superstar, but KAT’s consistency will be key. Towns has a history of coming up small in big moments, and he was wildly inconsistent in Minnesota’s Western Conference Finals loss to the Mavericks. Towns has also played 62 or fewer games in 4 of the last 5 seasons, so he’s become somewhat injury-prone.

The Timberwolves’ success will also hinge on Rudy Gobert, who remains a polarizing figure in the lineup. The Gobert-Towns frontcourt made huge strides last season, but playoff success has historically eluded Gobert’s teams. 

One potential issue is the Wolves haven’t gotten noticeably better this summer. While they didn’t need to make many moves after a trip to the conference finals, this is still largely the same team we saw last season. Rookie Rob Dillingham will replace Monte Morris as Mike Conley’s backup point guard, and there’s no telling how he’ll fare in his first season. The Wolves’ most exciting free agent signing was Joe Ingles, which…yeesh.

Minnesota’s win total is set at 52.5, indicating that oddsmakers expect another terrific season. While the Timberwolves are capable of hitting the over, the potential for injury and chemistry issues makes this a more uncertain bet. 

The Play-In Tournament odds (+390) offer decent value, as the Wolves could find themselves in the 7th-10th seed range if things don’t come together smoothly after finishing 3rd in the division last season. The high expectations for the team make this a strong possibility, particularly in a crowded Western Conference.

Best Bet: Play-In Tournament (+390) – The Timberwolves have the talent to push for the top seed, but the competitiveness of the West could see them fall into the Play-In range.

Denver Nuggets

• Division Odds: +300
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-1200), No (+700)
• Play-In Tournament: +390
• Win Total: O/U 51.5 (-105/-115)

The Denver Nuggets enter the 2024-25 campaign with high expectations following a second-round playoff exit at the hands of Minnesota last season. Denver is still only 2 years removed from a title, but there are questions about whether this team is capable of reaching those same heights once again.

Led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets boast one of the most complete teams in the league. Jokić’s unparalleled ability to score, pass, and control the tempo of games makes Denver an incredibly difficult team to stop. Jamal Murray put pen to paper on a new lucrative contract extension earlier this month, while the frontcourt foundation remains intact with Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. still in the fold.

As always, the question for the Nuggets has been depth. The loss of Bruce Brown prior to last season proved costly, as Denver was unable to get similar production out of the likes of Christian Braun off the bench. The Nuggets have taken a flier on Russell Westbrook, who’s expected to come in and lead the second unit. Westbrook is well past the prime of his career, however, and I’m skeptical he can still be a useful piece on a team with championship hopes.

Jokic is the best player on the planet.

As long as he stays healthy, this team is going to win 50-plus games and remain in the title chase. The team will still need to find consistent production from their bench to alleviate some of the pressure on the starters. Defensively, Denver can be vulnerable, especially on the perimeter. They’ll need to tighten up defensively and avoid slumps during the long regular season to secure a high seed in the playoffs. Still, with Jokic at the helm, the Nuggets have one of the highest floors in the league and should remain among the elite.

The Nuggets’ win total is set at 51.5, and given their championship pedigree, the Over 51.5 wins (-105) looks like a solid bet. Even with some depth issues, the talent and cohesion of Denver’s core should lead them to one of the top records in the West. 

The Play-In Tournament odds (+390) are also intriguing, but Denver’s track record suggests they are more likely to secure a top-six spot, making this less attractive. I feel better about the Nuggets’ chances of remaining near the top of the conference than I do about the Wolves’.

Best Bet: Over 51.5 Wins (-105) – Denver’s elite core and Jokic’s consistency should push them to one of the top records in the 
league, surpassing this win total.

Utah Jazz

• Division Odds: +60000
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+1800), No (-6000)
• Play-In Tournament: +1000
• Win Total: O/U 29.5 (+100/-120)

The Utah Jazz are also in rebuilding mode, though they surprised many with a better-than-expected 2023-24 season. They took a step back last term, however, finishing just 31-51 and 12th in the Western Conference.

Lauri Markkanen has emerged as an All-Star and the team’s go-to scorer, giving the Jazz a key piece to build around. Markkanen signed a contract extension this offseason, which was a bit of a surprise amid some trade rumors.

The rest of the rebuild is still coming along. Utah drafted ex-Colorado standout Cody Williams with the No. 10 overall pick in July’s draft, while they grabbed former USC standout Isaiah Collier toward the end of the first round. The Jazz have a few other intriguing young pieces in Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Walker Kessler, and their development will go a long way toward determining whether the team will exceed expectations.

Markkanen isn’t going anywhere, but the Jazz do still have a couple of potential trade chips in veterans Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. You can bet contenders will kick the tires on both before the deadline, and I’d be surprised if either winds up spending the full season in Salt Lake City. 

While they have several players capable of contributing on both ends of the floor, Utah lacks a true superstar to carry them in crunch time. Additionally, their backcourt remains a question mark, as they will need reliable playmaking to create efficient offense. Utah’s defense, led by Kessler, should be solid, but their offense could stagnate against stronger Western Conference teams. This season will likely be a transitional one for the Jazz, as they aim to develop their young players while positioning themselves for the future.

With a win total set at 29.5, betting on the Over 29.5 wins (+100) offers good value. Utah showed last season that they can be competitive, but nothing they’ve done this offseason likely improves their short-term outlook. I still think the plus-money odds on the over are appealing, however. 

The Play-In Tournament odds (+1000) are another intriguing option, especially if Markkanen and Collins play at a high level. However, betting on the Jazz to make the playoffs at +1800 is a long shot given their current rebuild.

Best Bet: Over 29.5 Wins (+100) – The Jazz have a solid young core and could surprise teams, making this win total an 
attainable goal in a development-focused season.

Portland Trail Blazers

• Division Odds: +60000
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+3000), No (-20000)
• Play-In Tournament: +1800
• Win Total: O/U 22.5 (+100/-120)

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the early stages of a full rebuild following last year’s Damian Lillard trade, making them significant long shots to contend in the Northwest Division. Their current roster is built around young prospects, including the likes of Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson, who will be expected to carry the team this season. 

Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is an exciting prospect but still largely unproven at the NBA level. Henderson averaged 14 points and better than 5 assists per game last season as a rookie, but he shot just over 32 percent from 3-point range. He’s still only 20, however, and he dealt with injuries last season. His stock isn’t has high as it was coming into his rookie year, but it’s far too early to say he’s a bust.

Portland’s main issue this season will be competing with established teams in the Western Conference. While their young core is promising, they are likely to struggle defensively and will face growing pains as they adapt to their roles. The Blazers did add former lottery pick Deni Avdija this offseason, though veterans Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton are trade candidates. If Portland can get something of value for either player before the deadline, they’ll have a chance to accelerate their rebuild.

Simons and Henderson will provide scoring and playmaking, but the lack of veteran leadership and defensive presence will make it difficult for Portland to win consistently. The Trail Blazers’ main objective this season is to give their young players experience and position themselves for future success. 

In case you couldn’t tell based on the win total set at 22.5, expectations are extremely low. The Under 22.5 wins (-120) could be the safest bet, given their inexperience and the strength of the teams they’ll be facing in the West. 

Portland’s Play-In Tournament odds (+1800) also reflect the unlikelihood of the Blazers being competitive enough to reach the 7th-10th seed. While the odds for making the playoffs at +3000 are tempting, the chances of this rebuilding team making a postseason push are slim to none.

Best Bet: Under 22.5 Wins (-120) – The Trail Blazers are in full rebuild mode and will likely struggle to win more than 22 games 
as they focus on developing their young talent. This team sucks, folks.

NBA Northwest Division Predictions

This is a terrific division, and you can make a compelling case for any of the Thunder, Timberwolves, or Nuggets to win it. The team I’m most bearish on is the T-Wolves after a relatively inactive offseason, while Denver could be undervalued after falling short of their championship goal a season ago. 

Still, it’s hard to overlook Oklahoma City. This team was far better than advertised last season, and they’ve made a couple of massive upgrades to the roster with the additions of Caruso and Hartenstein. The Thunder are still incredibly young, but they’re also clearly in win-now mode.

While the better value bet is arguably the Nuggets, I think this is the Thunder’s division to lose. Give me OKC to win the Northwest for the second consecutive season at -110 odds.

Best Bet: Oklahoma City Thunder (-110)

Recent NBA Northwest Division Winners