With roughly a month until NBA players report to training camp, it’s time to start getting serious about the 2024-25 season. Most of the important offseason business has been conducted, allowing fans to start looking at how teams measure up against one another. While it’s great to talk about the ultimate 2025 NBA champion, let’s not forget that five of the six divisions last year were decided by two games or less. The league could be set up for similarly compelling division races this year.
Handicapping each NBA division can be a fun activity for fans in the lead-up to the season. This is particularly true given the number of trusted betting sites that exist, all with unique features and promotions available. Before you think about placing a preseason bet on an NBA division winner, let’s take a closer look at all six NBA divisions ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Atlantic: 76ers
On paper, the Celtics look like the obvious choice to win this division. Boston won it last season with a 14-game cushion on its way to the NBA title. But repeating that next season will be difficult with the 76ers having the best chance of unseating the champs. Keep in mind that Philly didn’t have a healthy Joel Embiid for much of last season. The Sixers also have a bona fide star in the backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and added Paul George during the offseason. If those three can stay healthy and gel together, Philadelphia could challenge the Celtics, who could be a little tired and complacent after last year’s championship, opening the door for the Sixers or possibly the Knicks to capture the Atlantic Division.
Central: Cavaliers
Milwaukee barely won this division last year, beating out the Cavaliers by one game and the Pacers by two games. Unless Indiana suddenly gets serious about playing defense, it’ll be hard to take them seriously as division champs. However, it’s a different story with the Cavs. The tandem of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell is something special. Meanwhile, Cleveland is strong inside with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. They don’t have the same star power as Milwaukee with Giannis and Damian Lillard, but the Cavs might be deeper and more balanced, which can win out during an 82-game season.
Southeast: Magic
Once again, this should be a two-team race between the Magic and Heat. The Magic eked out the Southeast Division crown by a single game last year and could be even stronger in 2024. Orlando’s core is still young and getting better. The Magic are also strong defensively, allowing them to win games on bad offensive nights. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler is getting old and struggling to stay healthy, which will make it hard for Miami to match Orlando’s win total.
Northwest: Nuggets
Three teams were separated by a single game last season with the Thunder, Nuggets, and Timberwolves having the three best regular season records in the Western Conference. Anything could happen in this division, but when in doubt, go with Nikola Jokic. He’s among the biggest stars in the league and will have something to prove after an early playoff exit last season. Plus, the Nuggets won’t be as tired as they were after winning the NBA title in 2023, which should allow them to outplay the Thunder and T’Wolves for the division crown.
Pacific: Suns
Just five games separated the five teams of the Pacific Division last season, so this division is anybody’s guess. But when you look closer, the Lakers and Warriors are too old to triumph over 82 games while the Kings still aren’t at that level. Despite the Clippers having playoff success last season, Phoenix should be better over the regular season this year. The trio of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant have had a year to get used to each other and should be a lot more formidable moving forward, helping to deliver the Pacific Division for the Suns.
Southwest: Pelicans
New Orleans was just one game behind Dallas at the end of the 2023-24 season, but this could be the year that the upstart Pelicans get over the hump. Of course, if Brandon Ingram ends up getting traded, that could change the equation. On the other hand, if trading Ingram gets New Orleans another big man to pair with Zion Williamson while CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III star in the backcourt, the Pelicans might be better off trading Ingram. With or without Ingram, New Orleans has a talented young core that could be ready to reach another level, which means winning the Southwest Division.
