NBA betting: Best bets on team and player props, win totals - ESPN

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us, and before things tip off Tuesday, we asked our betting experts about their best bets and favorite futures picks for the season ahead.

Erin Dolan, Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick andSteve Alexander provide the bets they are making this season.

Note: All odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Oct. 22.

The Lakers made it to the Western Conference finals last season, yet find themselves fourth in the Western Conference odds market. I'll happily play the Lakers +700 to win the West. Rob Pelinka brought back all the key pieces acquired at the deadline last year that spurred their late-season surge. L.A. also added G Gabe Vincent from Miami and big man Christian Wood as some depth behind Anthony Davis. This team is still led by LeBron James. As long as he's playing, his team is capable of winning it all. Great value on the Lakers. — Fulghum

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The Lakers (+700) are a great value. Post-trade deadline, Los Angeles played like a completely different team and reached the Western Conference finals. LeBron James is still a very capable player despite being 38 years old, and Anthony Davis is one of the best big men in the game. In the offseason, the Lakers upgraded their role players, with Gabe Vincent being a significant addition. In what will most likely be James' last chance to win a championship, Los Angeles enters this season with improved shooting and adequate depth in the wide-open Western Conference. — Moody

Denver Nuggets (+245). This is both chalky and boring, but until someone knocks them from their throne, I think it makes sense to roll with them. Nikola