NBA Eastern Conference Winner Predictions, Odds, Betting Lines 2023

• The Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference this season.
• Last year’s East winners, the Miami Heat, fall to fifth in odds to win the conference.
• The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers also project to be in the Eastern Conference title hunt.

The NBA season is soon approaching and the Eastern Conference projects to be its most competitive in years. With team health on the rise and reinforcements among the conference’s strongest teams, NBA fans and bettors are in for a treat this season.

Just five games separated first place from fifth place last season, with the Miami Heat not looking like the Conference Winning favorites they were last year. Keep an eye on the Sixers, Nets, and Raptors who aim to take another leap in their championship aspirations!

Let’s take a closer look at what is one of the most exciting Eastern Conference’s in recent memory!

2023 NBA Eastern Conference Winner Odds

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook.

2023 NBA Eastern Conference Winner Pick

Milwaukee Bucks to Win Eastern Conference (+190)

After a down season to follow their championship campaign, the Milwaukee Bucks are sure to be hungry to return to form. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the league’s best players, but their veteran experience and balance are more than enough to overcome even the East’s strongest.

Milwaukee Bucks

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer

Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday

Prediction: Eastern Conference Title Contender
Since winning an NBA Championship in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks have been trying to recapture that magic. They were disappointed when they fell out of the title race in the second round of the NBA Playoffs last year, but they still tout a talented roster and one of the league’s best players in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks are running it back with most of their roster from last season, with some new faces in MarJon Beauchamp and Joe Ingles. For the Bucks to return to Eastern Conference title contention, they need to find their defensive standards.

After owning a top ten defence in their championship season, the Bucks dropped to fourteenth in the league, despite sporting the league’s third best offence. Their lack of balance and eventual health issues hurt them late in the season, something they can’t afford if they want the conference crown.

Boston Celtics

Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla (interim)

Key Players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart

Prediction: Top Six

The Boston Celtics are out to prove that their run to the NBA Finals in 2021-22 wasn’t a fluke. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are two of the league’s brightest young players, and the Boston front office didn’t fail to add more quality in point guard Malcolm Brogdon. However, their early season is overshadowed by team controversy.

As the Boston Celtics compete for the Eastern Conference title, they’ve lost a step by losing head coach Ime Udoka. After joining the Celtics and revitalizing the team culture, Udoka has been suspended for the season with assistant Joe Mazzulla taking up the interim head coaching role.

Objectively, the Boston Celtics have improved their team after their recent trip to the NBA Finals. Their talent is undeniable, so their success will be based on how well the team can maintain their two-way standards without Udoka at the helm.

Philadelphia 76ers

Head Coach: Doc Rivers

Key Players: Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey

Prediction: Eastern Conference Title Contender
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to bounce back from their embarrassment in the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs. Despite a team that boasted two MVP-level candidates, the Sixers were easily eliminated in the second round with doubts surrounding their future.

Despite their playoff disappointment, the Sixers are still built around some of the NBA’s best talent. Joel Embiid once again projects to be in the thick of the MVP race, while a full training camp with James Harden aboard can only be a positive for the Sixers’ offensive flow.

Head coach Doc Rivers will be on the hot seat this season, as he boasts his most talented team since joining the Philadelphia 76ers. At the end of the day, health may be the biggest factor in their success as both Harden and Embiid have been particularly injury-prone.

Miami Heat

Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra

Key Players: Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo

Prediction: Top Six

The Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference through the regular season in 2021-22, but there are doubts around their ability going into this campaign. While many other teams have improved this offseason, you couldn’t say the same about the Miami Heat.

After losing key veterans in P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris, the Heat failed to make a splash in the free agent market. Instead, head coach Erik Spoelstra will count on the development of young stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo to make up the difference.

Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler still lead the Heat, who are sure to produce one of the league’s most elite defences. However after seeing how the East has improved, you can’t help but think the Heat are a step behind.

Brooklyn Nets

Head Coach: Steve Nash

Key Players: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons

Prediction: Eastern Conference Title Contender
Of all of the teams that are competing for the Eastern Conference title, it is easy to forget about the quality of the Brooklyn Nets. Despite last year’s incredible-looking roster, injuries and controversy led to their failure to qualify for the NBA Playoffs.

The Nets now enter another season under the guidance of Steve Nash, with star point guard Ben Simmons back in the fold. With a full training camp under their belts, it’s difficult to bet against a team that sports the likes of Simmons, Irving, and Durant on its roster.

Much of their success will be decided by how well their role players can adapt, but in terms of talent the Nets certainly aren’t lacking. If their defensive standards are as high as their offensive standards, the Nets could easily reach the top of the Eastern Conference table.

Toronto Raptors

Head Coach: Nick Nurse

Key Players: Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Fred Vanvleet

Prediction: Top Six

The Toronto Raptors enter this season with continuity on their side. While they failed to escape the first round of the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs, their potential was obvious in their loss. Now with 13 returning members from last season’s campaign, Toronto look to be on an upward path.

The return to form of Pascal Siakam, All-Star berth of Fred Vanvleet, and the emergence of Scottie Barnes make them one of the most exciting teams in the East. While they lack a difference-making star, their quality in depth is undeniable.

The Raptors may look like a gatekeeper, but with championship pedigree and the league’s most versatile defence, don’t be surprised to see them near the top of the conference.