With the 2023-2024 NBA season tipping off on Tuesday, October 24th. I wanted to take a look at the expected starters, key bench players and key question(s) for each team.
I have also included team win totals with betting lines as well as some of my picks (All Odds are from BetUs). Use the following link to get 125% match on your first deposit: https://bit.ly/BetUS-CoachCraigSports. Also be sure to check out our sponsor BettorVision to get access to the best odds across all the major sportbooks.
Boston Celtics
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Kristaps Porzingis
C: Al Horford
Key Bench Players:
Derrick White (G), Sam Hauser (F), Payton Pritchard (G) and Svi Mykhailiuk (G/F)
Key Question:
Can the Celtics stay healthy and have enough depth to make another finals run?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
55.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: Over
Brooklyn Nets
PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: Cam Johnson
PF: Ben Simmons (Point Forward)
C: Nic Claxton
Key Bench Players:
Royce O’Neale (F), Dorian Finney-Smith (F), Cam Thomas (G), Lonnie Walker (G), Day’Ron Sharpe (C)
Key Questions:
How far can this group of players go? Will the Nets turn some of their young assets and picks into a Superstar player?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
37.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
New York Knicks
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Key Bench Players:
Josh Hart (G/F), Donte DiVincenzo (G), Immanuel Quickley (G), Isaiah Hartenstein (C)
Key Question:
Can this team get over the hump?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
45.5 Wins -110 Over, -120 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Philadelphia 76ers
PG: James Harden
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Joel Embiid
Key Bench Players:
Kelly Oubre Jr. (G/F), De’Anthony Melton (G), Patrick Beverley (G)
Key Question:
Does James Harden play for the 76ers this season?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
48.5 Wins -110 Over, -120 Under; My Pick: Over
Toronto Raptors
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: OG Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes (Point Forward)
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Bench Players:
Gary Trent Jr. (G/F), Gradey Dick (G/F), Chris Boucher (F/C), Precious Achiuwa (F/C)
Key Question:
What does this team look like under new head coach Darko Rajakovic?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
36.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Chicago Bulls
PG: Alex Caruso
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic
Key Bench Players:
Coby White (G), Jevon Carter (G), Ayo Dosunmu (G), Torrey Craig (F), Andre Drummond (C)
Key Question:
When do the Bulls start to tear down and rebuild?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
37.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: Over
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Key Bench Players:
Caris LeVert (G/F), Max Strus (G/F), Emoni Bates (G/F), Georges Niang (F), Dean Wade (F)
Key Question:
Do the Cavs have enough complimentary pieces and shooting to make a real playoff run?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
50.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Detroit Pistons
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Jaden Ivey
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
PF: Isaiah Stewart
C: Jalen Duren
Key Bench Players:
Ausar Thompson (G/F), Killian Hayes (G), James Wiseman (C), Marvin Bagley III (F/C), Alec Burks (G), Monte Morris (G), Joe Harris (G/F)
Key Question:
Can all these young players come together and reach their potential?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
28.5 Wins -110 Over, -120 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Bruce Brown Jr.
PF: Obi Toppin
C: Myle Turner
Key Bench Players:
Bennedict Mathurin (G/F), Andrew Nembhard (G), Jarace Walker (F), Isaiah Jackson (F/C)
Key Question:
Can the young nucleus of the Pacers take the next step?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
38.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: Under
Milwaukee Bucks
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Pat Connaughton
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Key Bench Players:
Bobby Portis (F/C), Cameron Payne (G), Jae Crowder (F), Mlaik Beasley (G)
Key Questions:
Can Dame, Giannis and new head coach Adrian Griffin take the Bucks back to the Finals? Can Khris Middleton stay healthy this season after an injury plagued 2022-23 season?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
54.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Atlanta Hawks
PG: Trae Young
SG: Dejounte Murray
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: Saddiq Bey
C: Clint Capela
Key Bench Players:
Bogdan Bogdanovic (G), AJ Griffin (F), Onyeka Okongwu (C)
Key Question:
Can this team get over the hump in Year 2 of Murray and Young playing alongside each other?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
42.5 Wins -120 Over, -110 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Charlotte Hornets
PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: PJ Washington
C: Mark Williams
Key Bench Players:
Cody Martin (G/F), Nick Richards (C), Brandon Miller (F)
Key Question:
Can LaMelo Ball stay healthy and lead this team?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
31.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Orlando Magic
PG: Markelle Fultz
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Paolo Banchero
C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Key Bench Players:
Cole Anthony (G), Jalen Suggs (G), Joe Ingles (G/F), Jonathan Isaac (F), Anthony Black (G)
Key Question:
Can this team of young players take the next step and make the playoffs?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
36.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Washington Wizards
PG: Tyus Jones
SG: Jordan Poole
SF: Deni Avdija
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Daniel Gafford
Key Bench Players:
Bilal Coulibaly (G/F), Landry Shamet (G), Corey Kispert (G/F), Johnny Davis (G), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (F)
Key Question:
How do the Wizards go about their rebuild?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
24.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: Under
Miami Heat
PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Caleb Martin
PF: Jimmy Butler
C: Bam Adebayo
Key Bench Players:
Kevin Love (F/C), Thomas Bryant (C), Duncan Robinson (G/F), Josh Richardson (G), Haywood Highsmith (F)
Key Question:
Can the Heat repeat their magic?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
45.5 Wins -105 Over, -125 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Denver Nuggets
PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Michael Porter Jr.
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic
Key Bench Players:
Christian Bruan (G), Reggie Jackson (G), Zeke Nnaji (F/C)
Key Question:
Can the Nuggets repeat as Champs?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
53.5 Wins -105 Over, -125 Under; My Pick: Over
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Rudy Gobert
Key Bench Players:
Kyle Anderson (F), Shake Milton (G), Wendell Moore Jr. (G/F), Naz Reid (C)
Key Question:
Where do the Timberwolves go from here?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
44.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: Under
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Lu Dort
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Chet Holmgren
Key Bench Players:
Aleksej Pokisevski (F/C), Cason Wallace (G), Kenrich Williams (F)
Key Questions:
Will this be the year the Thunder become a legit threat in the Western Conference? What can they get out of Chet Holmgren this season?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
44.5 Wins -130 Over, Even Under; My Pick: No Bet
Portland Trail Blazers
PG: Scoot Henderson
SG: Anfernee Simons
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Deandre Ayton
Key Bench Players:
Kris Murray (F), Malcolm Brogdon (G), Shaedon Sharpe (G), Robert Williams (C)
Key Questions:
Can the Blazers continue this so far successful rebuild? When will they move on from Chauncey Billups as Head Coach?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
No Odds Listed
Utah Jazz
PG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Collin Sexton
SF: Lauri Markkanen
PF: John Collins
C: Walker Kessler
Key Bench Players:
Talen Horton-Tucker (G/F), Ochai Agbaji (G), Kelly Olynyk (F/C), Taylor Hendricks (F)
Key Question:
What is the next step for the Utah Jazz?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
35.5 Wins -120 Over, -110 Under; My Pick: Under
Golden State Warriors
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Stephen Curry
SF: Klay Thompson
PF: Andrew Wiggins
C: Draymond Green
Key Bench Players:
Gary Payton II (G/F), Kevon Looney (C), Jonathan Kuminga (F), Dario Saric (F/C)
Key Questions:
How does Chris Paul fit in with this team? Do the Warriors have one last run left?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
47.5 Wins -120 Over, -110 Under; My Pick: Over
Los Angeles Clippers
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Paul George
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Key Bench Players:
Norman Powell (G/F), KJ Martin (F), Mason Plumlee (C), Nic Batum (F), Marcus Morris Sr. (F)
Key Question:
Can both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard stay healthy and lead this Clippers team on a deep playoff run?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
46.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Los Angeles Lakers
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: LeBron James (Point Forward)
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Anthony Davis
Key Bench Players:
Gabe Vincent (G), Rui Hachimura (F), Christian Wood (C), Jaxson Hayes (C), Cam Reddish (G/F), Taurean Prince (F)
Key Question:
Can the Lakers repeat their late season and playoff success?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
47.5 Wins -110 Over, -120 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Phoenix Suns
PG: Devin Booker
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Josh Okogie
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Jusuf Nurkic
Key Bench Players:
Grayson Allen (G), Keita Bates-Diop (F), Yuta Watanabe (F), Eric Gordon (G)
Key Question:
Can this trio of superstars lead the Suns back to the Finals?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
51.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: Under
Sacramento Kings
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Keegan Murray
C: Domantas Sabonis
Key Bench Players:
Malik Monk (G), Chris Duarte (G/F), Sasha Vezenkov (F), Trey Lyles (F/C)
Key Question:
What is the true ceiling of this team?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
44.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Dallas Mavericks
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Kyrie Irving
SF: Josh Green
PF: Grant Williams
C: Dwight Powell
Key Bench Players:
Jaden Hardy (G), Tim Hardaway Jr. (G/F), Maxi Kleber (F/C), Dereck Lively II (C), Seth Curry (G)
Key Questions:
Can Luka and Kyrie work together for a full season? Does this team have the necessary role players to contend alongside their 2 superstars?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
45.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Houston Rockets
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Jalen Green
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
C: Alperen Sengun
Key Bench Players:
Amen Thompson (G), Cam Whitmore (F), Tari Eason (F), Jae’Sean Tate (G/F)
Key Question:
Which young players will step up for the Rockets this season?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
31.5 Wins -120 Over, -110 Under; My Pick: No Bet
Memphis Grizzlies
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Ziaire Williams
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Xavier Tillman
Key Bench Players:
Luke Kennard (G/F), David Roddy (F), Santi Aldama (F), John Konchar (G/F), Ja Morant (G, Suspended to start the season*)
Key Question:
What do the Grizzlies get out of Ja Morant this season?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
45.5 Wins -125 Over, -105 Under; My Pick: Under
New Orleans Pelicans
PG: CJ McCollum
SG: Brandon Ingram
SF: Herbert Jones
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Jonas Valanciunas
Key Bench Players:
Trey Murphy III (F), Larry Nance Jr. (F/C), Jose Alvarado (G), Dyson Daniels (G)
Key Question:
Can the Pelicans actually stay healthy?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
44.5 Wins -110 Over, -120 Under; My Pick: No Bet
San Antonio Spurs
PG: Jeremy Sochan (Point Forward)
SG: Devin Vassell
SF: Keldon Johnson
PF: Victor Wembanyama
C: Zach Collins
Key Bench Players:
Tre Jones (G), Malaki Branham (G), Cedi Osman (G/F), Charles Bassey (C)
Key Question:
How will this young nucleus play and grow together?
Season Wins Odds Per BetUS:
29.5 Wins -115 Over, -115 Under; My Pick: Over
Look out for more NBA Content from myself on both this site and my personal YouTube Channel – Coach Craig Sports. Feel free to message me on Twitter/X @CoachCraigSport with any NBA Questions as well!
The Sports Affiliation 