The NBA is extremely competitive as a whole in 2024-25. There are tons of good teams playing at a high level and their records reflect that. However, there’s not much parity in divisional races right now. Several teams had made significant improvements since last season, but the divisional leaders in available markets have what seem to be firm holds over the rest of their competition. One race is particularly interesting, though. The reigning champion Boston Celtics have some serious competition right behind them in the Atlanta Division.
Boston (-500) is favored to win the Atlanta Division at BetMGM but is sliding fast. The Celtics are 32-15 after going 64-18 last season and have struggled with consistency as of late. They opened the year 16-3 straight up through October and November but have gone 16-14 since then. Their offensive production has dropped with their three-point shooting, and that’s allowed one Eastern Conference rival to climb back into the race.
The New York Knicks (31-16) are just one game back from the Celtics and have the second-best odds to win their division at +375. They’ve rattled off four straight wins and have really come into their own since being routed 132-109 by the Celtics in their season opener. Karl-Anthony Towns has blossomed into arguably the Knicks’ best offensive threat alongside Jalen Brunson while Mikal Bridges has settled in after causing an uproar when his new shot mechanics appeared to be affecting his validity as an elite 3-and-D player. New York has a chance to even the score in a head-to-head matchup in the back half of the regular season and might be ahead in the standings by the time that game rolls around.
Best Bet: Knicks (+375, BetMGM)
The Knicks aren’t necessarily a shoo-in to win the Atlantic Division, but they’re closer to this version of the Boston Celtics than oddsmakers think. They have a comparable offense and defense and are running hotter ahead of the All-Star break. Boston could snap back into reality and surge forward with better perimeter shooting, but it’s also reasonable to think that New York might hold at least a one-game lead over the Celtics by the time the NBA returns from the All-Star break. There’s tremendous value in betting on New York right now. Especially since the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets are nowhere close to competing.
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