NBA Eastern Conference Odds: Celtics Favored To Repeat

The Eastern Conference is much more balanced than the NBA’s Western Conference, which means there’s plenty of ripe value for bettors. With a cluster of good teams in the upper echelon, plus-money value won’t be hard to find.

BetOnline Sportsbook has us covered with the odds to win the Eastern Conference, where the Boston Celtics are chalked at +275.

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NBA Eastern Conference Odds

Odds as of October 12 at BetOnline Sportsbook

NBA Eastern Conference Odds: Why Are The Celtics Favored? (+275)

Boston made it all way to the NBA Finals in 2021-22. While the C’s came close, they couldn’t beat the Warriors, prompting a splurge this summer in free agency. The Celtics’ lack of depth was exposed in the playoffs, so they went out and added guard Malcolm Brogdon and veteran forward Danilo Gallinari.

But here’s where things went south for Boston, bumping them off chalk status in the NBA championship odds. First, Gallinari tore his ACL during a FIBA World Cup qualifier game. Then, the bigger blow arrived when head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for one year by the Celtics after having an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.

Despite all the controversy, Boston is still favored, just not by as much as it was initially. 

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NBA Eastern Conference Odds: Best Long-Shot Bet

Let’s look at a long-shot bet.

Miami Heat (+850)

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+850 is a quality number for a squad that won the Eastern Conference in 2019-20 with basically the same roster it has now. The Celtics weren’t a powerhouse back then, but the Heat went to the NBA Finals with a core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. Those guys are all returning, plus the team now has Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo in the backcourt. 

Miami lost the Eastern Conference final in 2021-22, falling to the Celtics in Game 7. That’s how close they were a year ago. The sportsbooks have faded the Heat in 2022-23, presumably due to their lack of big moves this offseason, but that’s fine since it opens excellent betting value at +850.

NBA Eastern Conference Odds: Best Bet

Here’s our best bet.

Milwaukee Bucks (+325)

There might be some utility in holding off on this bet, as the Bucks were slow starters a season ago (36-24 record before the all-star break), but if you really wanted to place a bet today, go with Milwaukee at +325. 

The Bucks won the East – and the NBA title – in 2020-21 off the back of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains a larger-than-life superstar in today’s NBA. Milwaukee is perpetually in the conversation for the odds to win the Central Division, while also being reliable for cashing the OVER on season win totals.

For 2022-23, Khris Middleton should return from injury near the start of the regular season and provide a spark that was missing in the Bucks lineup late last year. Milwaukee is a franchise with a winning culture. We’ll count on that to continue at +325. 

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Last 10 NBA Eastern Conference Winners

Understanding NBA Eastern Conference Odds

At your NBA betting site of choice, you’ll see Eastern Conference futures odds displayed like this:

NBA Eastern Conference Futures

Similar to a moneyline bet where the favorites are represented with minus signs (-) and underdogs with plus signs (+), the team with the lowest odds is the front-runner. In this scenario, it’s the Bucks and Nets as the favorites, each at +225.

Let’s say you’re loving the 76ers at +550 and you bet they make the NBA Finals. A $100 bet would get you a payout of $650 – you get your original money back coupled with your winnings of $550.

Our Odds Calculator will tell you how much you’d win based on the amount bet and odds offered.