2022-23 NBA Previews – Atlantic Division Odds
Looking for 2023 NBA Atlantic Division Predictions? We’ve got your back. The Atlantic Division is arguably the toughest and most competitive division in the Association. Four teams made the postseason in 2022 and are expected to return and if you buy RJ Barrett’s prediction the Knicks will shock the world this season then all five could be in the mix.
2023 NBA Handicapping
Atlantic Division Season Preview
Division Favorite: Boston Celtics +134
Boston Celtics
Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla
2021-22 Record: 51-31
Odds To Win Division: +134
Odds To Win Conference: +290
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +620
Three teams finished with a 51-31 record (Bucks, 76ers) but based on tiebreakers the Celtics took the second seed ahead of Philly and Milwaukee which proved to work in their favor. They played the team everyone was trying to avoid (the Nets) and were the only club to sweep in the first round in the East.
Some say the Celtics got a bit lucky with their playoff draw. After easily dispensing of the Nets, Boston faced two squads both of which weren’t at full speed.
The Bucks’ Khris Middleton missed the entire series while the Heat navigated injuries to each of their core three (Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo) and still was just one missed Butler bucket from moving onto the finals.
That said, the Celtics did what was necessary to reach the Finals and were the prohibitive favorite coming into the season to get back to the dance, especially after adding Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Gallinari, and Blake Griffin to bolster their depth.
BUT… then a trio of events occurred that could rock the foundation of the club. Gallo tore his ACL plus Robert Williams had to undergo another knee surgery which will sideline him for at least 12 weeks.
And then the team was hit with the sobering news that head coach Ime Udoka had been suspended for the season.
The question is how will this club respond to adversity with Mazzulla being a more soft-spoken individual (similar to Stevens) as opposed to Udoka who was more aggressive and challenged his stars to be better which was the turning point last season.
Brooklyn Nets
Head Coach: Steve Nash
2021-22 Record: 44-38
Odds To Win Division: +199
Odds To Win Conference: +360
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +720
This position for the Nets seems logical if you base everything solely ‘on paper’ but stop for a second and rewind the past few months. Kevin Durant demanded ownership fire both head coach Nash and GM Sean Marks. When Joe Tsai refused KD demanded a trade.
Kyrie Irving’s exit interview highlighted the fact that HE, Durant, and Joe Tsai would make the necessary decisions for the squad seemingly relegating himself to the upper echelon of management.
And this followed a season where he refused to be vaccinated and upon his return would conduct his own practices AFTER Nash completed his.
Irving then did the tour seeking an alternate team but found few interested parties. His desire was to reunite with LeBron James but the Lakers couldn’t offer him much more than the veteran minimum and the Nets had no incentive to orchestrate a sign-and-trade based on what the Lakers could/would offer.
Inevitably, Irving opted into the final year of his contract and KD elected to set aside his feelings and return with hopes the team could move past all the hard feelings and contend.
If preseason is a harbinger of what’s to come this team needs work defensively and until they face adversity with Irving not adding to the issue I’m not buying what they’re selling.
AND – I still wouldn’t rule out Marks moving one or both of Irving and KD at the trade deadline especially if the troubles continue.
Philadelphia 76ers
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
2021-22 Record: 51-31
Odds To Win Division: +300
Odds To Win Conference: +670
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +1325
A bit surprised the 76ers land third on this ranking given how much they did to bolster their depth in the offseason. Embiid specifically cited PJ Tucker as the type of grit the Sixers were missing.
Lo and behold Daryl Morey took his star seriously and made Tucker an offer he couldn’t refuse in free agency.
In addition, the team added DeAnthony Melton, Montrezl Harrell, and Danuel House. That quartet offers Doc Rivers a combination of grit, defense, 3-point shooting, and much more depth than he had last season.
As for the returnees, James Harden took the criticism of being out of shape seriously and invested quality time in the lab this offseason while Embiid remains a perennial MVP contender and the hope is Tyrese Maxey will continue his ascent via consistent performances.
I’m guessing the 76ers will be top-10 both offensively and defensively (wouldn’t surprise me if they are top-5 defense). With more weapons, Embiid should have an easier regular season and if he stays healthy could finally win that elusive MVP trophy.
Toronto Raptors
Head Coach: Nick Nurse
2021-22 Record: 48-34
Odds To Win Division: +990
Odds To Win Conference: +1700
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +3500
Does Vegas even watch the Raptors? Seriously – I wonder because the oddsmakers keep underestimating this club year after year and the Raptors just keep overperforming.
Last season, most pundits called them a lottery team and despite dealing with copious injuries that resulted in their core three missing between 14 and 34 games they finished fifth in the East posting a 34-17 record from December 31st forward.
Constancy and growth are the keys for this iteration of the squad with 12 returnees along with rookie Christian Koloko, veteran Otto Porter Jr. and Juancho Hernangomez.
The team also added player development coach Rico Hines to their staff which is already paying dividends with the most notable being Dalano Banton. The Raptors are known as the best development team and Hines has worked with Pascal Siakam since he became a pro.
The latter set a goal of becoming a top-five player and worked hard this offseason to improve the skillset that witnessed him produce 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game making All-NBA in the process.
Although Nurse is intent on getting his stars more rest this season so they’ll be fresh for the postseason, I like this team to do what they’ve done 10 of the last 11 seasons and over-perform their projected win projections.
That said, this division is the reason the East is considered the stronger conference and I suspect the Raptors will fall shy of taking the Atlantic but play well enough to win a home-court seed.
New York Knicks
Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau
2021-22 Record: 37-45
Odds To Win Division: +6000
Odds To Win Conference: +4800
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +10000
Two seasons ago the Knicks shocked via a precipitous rise in their rebuild winning a home-court seed. Then they lost to the Hawks who went to the Conference Finals.
Both clubs seemingly forgot what earned them those rewards as they returned looking like a shadow of the teams who succeeded in 2020.
Coach Thibs hasn’t shown trust in his youngsters which is part of the dilemma for the fanbase. If they’re going to lose then extend the minutes of youngsters Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes to let them learn from their mistakes.
If Barrett’s prediction is right then Jalen Brunson and RJ will achieve success this season and shock the NBA world.
I’m more inclined to expect Thibs to get fired especially if the team isn’t winning prior to the halfway mark. Besides, it seems logical for the Knicks to enter the Wembenyama sweepstakes.
Also of note, fans should keep an eye on the placement of the Mavericks (1-10), Wizards (1-14), and Pistons (1-18) because the Knicks own all their first-round picks albeit with the noted protections. The Mavs should easily convey and possibly the Wizards to add to their own pick.
NBA Atlantic Division Prediction
Getting out to a hot start will be key. With that in mind, the Celtics are adapting to Mazzulla calling the shots, the Nets are still adjusting to the turmoil of walking back their demands/statements and the Raptors have the toughest starting schedule. Everything points to the 76ers getting out to a hot start and building upon that momentum all season to take the division.
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Atlantic Divisional winner odds we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
