NBA Finals 2024 Predictions: Nuggets, Bucks, and Celtics Lead the Charge

It appears that the upcoming NBA Finals 2024 will be the most competitive and exciting in recent history. Several teams have come together to form strong rosters and narratives. The Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics are running 1-2-3 in the standings and odds right now, but it’s still anybody’s chase. So, let’s take a closer look at the favorites and the possible reasons you should be excited about NBA Finals 2024.

Top Favorite of NBA Finals 2024 – Denver Nuggets: +500

Denver Nuggets (+500, DraftKings Sportsbook) managed to re-sign the reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and most of their core players that helped them win the title last year. The Nuggets are incredibly difficult to deal with when facing the Kumbhakarnian playmaking of Jokic, in conjunction with the scoring prowess. The roster is also blessed with good role players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, both of whom are essential in terms of scoring and defense.

Milwaukee Bucks: +550

Not far behind are the Milwaukee Bucks with odds of +550. The best example is the Bucks going big-time in the summer and getting Damian Lillard to form a super-duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo. This provides the perfect balance between Lillard scoring and playmaking and allows more space, inside offensive rebounding, and chippies for Giannis. The Bucks are hella deep though, with Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez behind Giannis, and their top-heavy nature should make them better equipped for the playoffs than last season.

Boston Celtics: +600

The Boston Celtics are also near the top of the NBA Finals 2024 as well at +600 odds. The Celtics have been resilient and deep all year, guided by the duo pair of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The arrival of Kristaps Porzingis solidified their starting lineup and gave them even more scoring options and defensive flexibility to work with. The Celtics are a rare combination of veteran leadership (Horford, Thomas) and an excited young core (Crowder, Smart, the Nets’ pick if it falls right). Watch out for the East’s two seeds to make some noise in the postseason, seriously.

Phoenix Suns: +700

At +700 odds are the Phoenix Suns, who have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal uniting in an offensive juggernaut. The scoring potential of this trio is high, but injuries and fit will also play a crucial role in determining their success. The Suns boast a high ceiling but must show their defensive chops and depth for a championship trek NBA Finals 2024.

Los Angeles Lakers: +1000

The Los Angeles Lakers are posting the 2nd-best odds at +1000, and this comes down to the condition and quality of play they get from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Los Angeles has surrounded LeBron with quality role players that could be vital in those championship runs.

Golden State Warriors: +1200

While expected to drop off, the Golden State Warriors (+1200) are always perennial threats at NBA Finals 2024, given their championship experience plus the one-two punch of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Although the Warriors have not only the experience but the proven playoff track record of a team you should not want to play against, ever. It could be the kind of team that surprises the nation and makes another deep run if it can remain healthy and cohesive.

Other Notable Teams

– Philadephia 76ers: +1500: This comes down to the James Harden situation and how well Joel Embiid can play. Since 2012, the Philadelphia 76ers have arguably had the most talented roster top-to-bottom in the NBA but the team hasn’t won a championship in four years and their best player is on trial.

– Miami Heat: +1800: The grit of the Heat and the leadership of Jimmy Butler tend to make them a tough matchup in the postseason. Their defense-first mentality and veteran savvy could lead to multiple upsets of higher-seeded teams.

Analysis and Predictions 2024 NBA Finals Champions

As much as the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics are the favorites, the playoffs are a crapshoot, anyone of these top teams could easily win the title. Injuries, mid-season trades, an x-factor or two, youth, all these things will play very big parts in how the NBA Finals 2024. Other teams, like the Suns and Lakers, could have high upsides as well but have to close weaknesses to exploit their potential.

Conclusion

It will feature some of the best matchups and drama in the stakes-laden environment of the NBA Finals 2024. Given that it has now been exposed that all of these guys are flawed and can certainly lose to a beatable opponent on any given night, we say fans watch the top contenders closely towards the end of the year, but we should also get ready for the dark horses to come out of the woodwork.