As expected, the NBA returned last week to all of the usual fanfare, with some fascinating matchups kicking off the 2024 season.
All of the biggest and best NBA online betting sites are engaging with the new campaign and the prospect of the Boston Celtics travelling to the Washington Wizards is an attractive one this week.
Elsewhere, the highly fancied Milwaukee Bucks host the dangerous Miami Heat, whilst Golden State Warriors head to Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Pelicans.
31st October – Capital One Arena, Washington
Boston Celtics to win the match @ 1.85 (PlayUp)
Few rivalries in the Eastern Conference of the NBA as fierce as the Washington/Boston one and the prospect of the Wizards taking on the Celtics so early on in the season is a fascinating one.
For the Wizards, getting the most out of the enigmatic Jordan Poole will be their key objective this season, following a relatively quiet campaign in 2023. Should they get him firing though, the Wizards could be a side to keep an eye on with NBA betting sites and this game should be perfect for someone like him.
However, the Boston Celtics juggernaut seems to get more efficient every season and whilst it is of course early days, the Celtics do look as if they will be one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference this term.
Calling this one is tough but the Boston Celtics should just have too much about them here.
31st October – Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Point Spread: Milwaukee Bucks -6.5 @ 2.25 (GetSetBet)
Two sides that could well be in the mix for NBA Championship glory face off in the early stages of the season, with the Miami Heat heading to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks.
Much of the pre-season narrative surrounding the Bucks has been that this is indeed their year and with Giannis Antetokounmpo raring to go, betting against them would be a bold call.
For the Miami Heat, building on the obvious positives of last season will be their focus and they will feel that they have more than a chance of ruffling a few feathers in the Eastern Conference.
This is a game that will be decided by tight margins, with the Bucks potentially able to go up a gear in key moments.
31st October – Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans
Golden State Warriors to win the match @ 1.75 (BlueBet)
Following an unassuming start to the season, Golden State Warriors are a side in need of a pick-me-up. They travel to the New Orleans Pelicans, a side that looked good in pre-season and who made light work of Orlando Magic in their opening fixture.
The New Orleans Pelicans have slowly been going about their business in recent seasons and they are now being seen as a team that could mount a play-off challenge with many domestic and international betting sites.
However, Golden State Warriors have proverbially been there and done it, with their opening game loss to the Phoenix Suns proof that every NBA game is decided by small marginals.
Whilst the New Orleans Pelicans will be bang up for this contest, Golden State Warriors should have enough in the tank to pick up the win.
Sport has always been an integral part of Sam’s life, with his youth spent pursuing a playing career in both cricket and tennis, where he was fortunate enough to represent his native Wales at junior levels. Upon graduating from the University of Worcester, UK in 2011, Sam combined his two greatest passions – sport and travel, forging a freelance career as a tennis coach and a freelance journalist, visiting all 7 continents in the process. Having lived in Australia for over 2 years, Sam has a burning passion for AFL and follows every game he possibly can.
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