Cracking the top 8 and finishing inside the playoff positions is the ultimate objective for every side in the Eastern Conference.
Whilst the list above details some of the front runners from both conferences to be playing in the playoffs, here are some of the outsiders to look out for with MyBettingAustralia from the East:
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have been on a steady upward trajectory over the past few seasons, and they look well placed to challenge for a playoff place once again this term.
Winning the Eastern Conference in 2021 ultimately turned into no silverware but they haven’t been able to back it up subsequently.
What brings them here?
Few sides in the NBA Eastern Conference are as unpredictable and enigmatic as the Atlanta Hawks and their season so far has been representative of just that. The Hawks came flying out of the traps, with early season wins seeing them highly thought of with many betting sites but there have been a few chinks in their armour displayed recently.
What could hold them off?
History. With just one NBA Championship title in the bank back in 1958, the Atlanta Hawks don’t have much to go off in terms of past winning experience.
Injury Report
Kobe Bufkin and Mouhamed Gueye are two long term injury absentees, but the Hawks have plenty of quality in their roster.
Bet on the Atlanta Hawks to make the Eastern Conference playoffs @ 1.50 with GetSetBet.
Indiana Pacers
There is a growing feeling that the Indiana Pacers are on the brink of something special in the 2024 NBA season and their early performances in the Eastern Conference have their fans dreaming of a return to the glory days.
Having failed to reach the playoffs in the last 3 seasons, few betting apps would have been getting too involved with the Pacers at the start of the season.
What brings them here?
Seven wins from their opening 11 games have propelled the Pacers into early season playoff contention and there does look to be a degree of confidence growing around the franchise. With plenty of young and hungry players in their ranks, multi betting sites are asking how far they could go.
What could hold them off?
Inexperience. For all of the potential within the Pacers camp, having not made the playoffs in the last 3 seasons could transpire to hinder them in the key moments of the regular season.
Injury Report
No injuries of note in the Pacers camp have enabled them to make a great start to the season, something they will be looking to uphold for a good while yet.
Bet on the Indiana Pacers to make the Eastern Conference playoffs @ 1.65 with BlueBet.
Brooklyn Nets
Few franchises in the Eastern Conference get the attention with domestic and international betting sites that the Brooklyn Nets do. Yet for their burgeoning global profile, a lack of success on the court has long hamstrung them.
However, the Nets are hoping that a change in approach can bring about some success in 2024.
What brings them here?
A team with the resources of the Brooklyn Nets should be fully in the mix in the Eastern Conference and they look well placed to challenge this year. Ditching some big-name players and adopting a more collective team strategy could be a masterstroke from the Nets in 2024.
What could hold them off?
Expectation. So much is often hoped for from the Nets and they rarely deliver. They will need to banish the curse of 5 consecutive play-off defeats, and they’d need to upset the form book of sorts.
Injury Report
The Brooklyn Nets will need Ben Simmons back in action soon, whilst Cam Thomas and Dennis Smith Jr also face spells out of the side.
Bet on the Brooklyn Nets to make the Eastern Conference playoffs @ 2.30 with Playup.
Few divisions in world sport are as competitive as the NBA Western Conference and once again all 15 sides will be vying for their place in the playoffs at the end of the year.
Here are some of the sides on the periphery that could force their way into the top 8 in the Western Conference:
Sacramento Kings
Following an incredible regular season campaign last year, the Sacramento Kings fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs – losing in painful fashion to the Golden State Warriors.
Undeterred, they have started the new season well and find themselves fully in contention once again in 2024.
What brings them here?
Consistency. The Kings had been enduring a barren few seasons before the 2022/23 campaign and have been able to string performances together with increased fluency over the past 12 months. Their team ethic is clear for all to see, and they look to have the credentials to challenge again this season.
What could hold them off?
Demons. The Sacramento Kings do seem to be cursed when it comes to NBA Championships and the pain of last year’s playoff defeats could be haunting them still.
Injury Report
Alex Len is the only long-term injury doubt for a Sacramento Kings side that have started the season so impressively.
Bet on the Sacramento Kings to make the Western Conference playoffs @ 1.60 with GetSetBet.
New Orleans Pelicans
For the New Orleans Pelicans, breaking the playoffs would represent an excellent campaign and they look well placed to challenge again in 2023/24. Having not won the NBA Championship in their 20+ year history, there is a feeling that more is expected of the Pelicans and plenty of NBA betting apps are tipping them to have a decent season ahead.
What brings them here?
The Pelicans have often longed for star players and in Zion Williamson, they finally look to have just that. He and his Pelicans team mates are beginning to find form this season and whilst the consistency isn’t there just yet, early signs are good for the campaign ahead.
What could hold them off?
Breaking new ground. A divisional title back in 2008 is the most that the New Orleans Pelicans have in terms of playoff experience, and they have only broke the top 8 once in the past 5 years.
Injury Report
Some injuries to key players have stalled the progress shown by the Pelicans so far this season, with Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III, Larry Nance, and CJ McCollum all out of action currently.
Bet on the New Orleans Pelicans to make the Western Conference playoffs @ 1.90 with BlueBet.
Houston Rockets
Very few domestic or international betting sites saw the Houston Rockets as a side that could challenge at the sharp end of the NBA Championship this season, but they have started the campaign very well. Sitting in the top 8 at this stage is progress for the Rockets, who look well-equipped to mount a decent Western Conference challenge.
What brings them here?
Having hit rock bottom over the past few seasons, very little was expected of the Houston Rockets in 2023/24 and that looks to have given them a sense of freedom. Hanging on in the play-off mix will be the ultimate objective this season and if they end up in the top 8, who knows how far they can go.
What could hold them off?
Reality. The Houston Rockets don’t have the biggest or strongest squad in the NBA and the competition in the Western Conference is famously fierce. They could find it too hot to handle at times and may fall off the pace.
Injury Report
Amen Thompson and Victor Oladipo look to have shaken off their injury concerns, giving the Rockets a full roster to work with currently.
Bet on the Houston Rockets to make the Western Conference playoffs @ 3.50 with Playup.
