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With the NBA draft concluded, players are finally getting some much needed rest after the grind of two seasons in roughly a year and a half. One team that should be well-rested is Brooklyn. The Nets head into the new season as the overall favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
There are a handful of teams, including last year’s winner Milwaukee that could challenge Brooklyn for the conference crown. Here’s a look at the Eastern Conference futures odds and picks.
Stay Healthy and Win
If Brooklyn (+105) has a mantra this season, it will be “Stay Healthy, Win.” It’s that simple. In last year’s postseason, both James Harden and Kyrie Irving were out leaving Kevin Durant to carry the load. He almost did it himself, but the Nets are practically unstoppable with their Big Three in action.
That didn’t happen very often in 2020-21. In fact, it was fewer than 10 games in the regular season yet the Nets still managed to earn the conference’s No. 2 seed. With all three healthy, the Nets will lead the NBA in scoring once again. They will be hard to stop.
The Challenger
The Nets biggest challenge will come from the defending NBA champions – Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks return two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as well as the bulk of the roster that won the title last season. It was the Bucks first NBA championship in 50 years.
The Bucks are listed at +380 and, like Brooklyn, can score at will. If Milwaukee makes any improvements at all on defense, they will have an excellent chance at repeating as NBA champs.
Teams to Watch
The Philadelphia 76ers (+700) need to figure out what to do with Ben Simmons and then they may be ready to challenge for a conference title. Simmons is a key player for Philly, but his offensive shortcomings make him expendable. The Sixers have reportedly been trying to trade Simmons, but there have been no takers as of yet.
Still, Philadelphia returns 7-footer Joel Embiid (28.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg) who can put the team on his back at times. The Sixers lineup is loaded with Tobias Harris (19.5 ppg), Simmons, Shake Milton (13.0 ppg) and Seth Curry (12.5 ppg). Can they turn that into a conference title?
The same can be said of Miami (+1000) and Atlanta (+1600). Each has a superstar surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Jimmy Butler (21.5 ppg) leads the Heat along with the underrated Bam Adebayo (18.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.4 apg). Role players like Tyler Herro (15.1 ppg) and Duncan Robinson (13.1 ppg) as well as head coach Erik Spoelstra’s defense make Miami a threat.
Atlanta has superstar Trae Young (25.3 ppg, 9.4 apg) and a solid cast around him with John Collins (17.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Clint Capela (15.2 ppg, 14.3 rpg), and De’Andre Hunter (15.0 ppg) to name a few.
The Sleeper
The one team that the entire Eastern Conference should keep its eye on is New York. The Knicks are the best defensive team in the NBA and that will keep them in every game they play this coming season. The Knicks are a longshot at +4000, but Julius Randle (24.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 6.0 apg) is a star. Young players like R.J. Barrett (17.6 ppg) will make the Knicks a tough out come next playoff season.
2022 NBA Eastern Conference Winner Prediction
There is a reason why Brooklyn is such an overwhelming favorite. The key is health. There are going to be load management nights where the Big Three doesn’t play together, but the Nets need to keep Harden, Irving, and Durant healthy. If they do, they win the East and probably the 2022 NBA title.
BEST BET: NETS +105
2022 NBA Eastern Conference Betting Lines
Brooklyn Nets +105
Milwaukee Bucks +380
Philadelphia 76ers +700
Miami Heat +1000
Atlanta Hawks +1600
Boston Celtics +1900
Chicago Bulls +3500
New York Knicks +4000
Indiana Pacers +5000
Toronto Raptors +6000
Charlotte Hornets +7000
Washington Wizards +7000
Detroit Pistons +25000
Cleveland Cavaliers +25000
Orlando Magic +25000
Read our NBA player props betting guide to learn everything you need to know about crushing these betting markets.
