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NBA Eastern Conference Betting Power Rankings

Mark Strotman for Bookies.com

Mark Strotman  | 4 mins

NBA Eastern Conference Betting Power Rankings

It feels like a two-team race between Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. But the Boston Celtics are legitimate, and the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets could make noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference. There’s parity after the top two teams.

Click on each team in the rankings to get a complete betting guide, including a top player prop bet, for that team’s 2019-20 campaign. Odds listed from 888sport are to win the conference. You can check out the Western Conference preview here.

1. Philadelphia 76ers (+150)

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are All-Stars, and Al Horford and Josh Richardson will cement their defense as one of the league’s best. They’re as complete a team as there is in the East.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (-139)

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his supporting cast will play with a chip on their shoulder after coming up short last season. They’re strong favorites in the East and have the inside track to the Finals.

3. Boston Celtics (+1200)

Can Kemba Walker do what Kyrie Irving couldn’t? Will Jayson Tatum make a leap to stardom? Will the supporting cast show up in the postseason? This team has talent but plenty of question marks, too.

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4. Indiana Pacers (+1600)

They’ll need to tread water until Victor Oladipo returns, but once he’s back the Pacers become a sneaky contender in the East. Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon make for a solid supporting cast.

5. Toronto Raptors (+2500)

The post-Kawhi era is here, but Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol give this group a chance to compete in the East. That is unless they decide to tear it all down.

6. Brooklyn Nets (+2500)

Kyrie Irving helps a ton, but without Kevin Durant it’s tough to consider them a contender. Guys such as Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris need to make significant jumps if they want to become elite.

7. Miami Heat (+6600)

Jimmy Butler gives them relevancy, and Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic are legitimate pieces around him. Still, this roster has plenty of holes that limits their potential.

8. Orlando Magic (+10000)

They quietly have one of the best defenses in the NBA, and Aaron Gordon or Jonathan Isaac could become a solid No. 2 to Nikola Vucevic. This is a playoff team.

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9. Detroit Pistons (+10000)

Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin are good enough to push the Pistons to the playoffs, but their ceiling is capped by limited talent in the backcourt and on the wing.

10. Atlanta Hawks (+10000)

Trae Young and John Collins might be the best young 1-2 punch in basketball. They’re building perfectly around those two, and while their defense is ugly, they could have one of the league’s best offenses.

11. Chicago Bulls (+20000)

They’ve got a promising young core and added key veteran role players in Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young. The bench is still a question, but they’re a sneaky postseason pick in the East.

12. New York Knicks (+25000)

After striking out in free agency, the Knicks are now an island of misfit toys and a few promising young wings. Their future may hinge on R.J. Barrett becoming a star.

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13. Cleveland Cavaliers (+50000)

Collin Sexton and Darius Garland could be the backcourt of the future, and Kevin Love is finally healthy, but this roster is void of any depth and talent past those three.

14. Charlotte Hornets (+50000)

After failing to max out Walker, the Hornets could now wind up as the league’s worst team. They have bad contracts and not much young talent. It’s a rough combination.

15. Washington Wizards (+25000)

It’s Bradley Beal and not much else. The Wizards are on the brink of a rebuild and could deal their star shooting guard before it’s all said and done. The franchise has no real direction.

About the Author

Mark Strotman for Bookies.com
Mark Strotman
Mark is a veteran sports betting journalist who has covered the Bulls and the NBA since 2012. His work has appeared on ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, The Chicago Tribune and Yahoo Sports. He regularly provides NBA betting picks, as well as in-depth sportsbook reviews and the latest promo codes for all the major sports gambling operators, including Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and more.