As one of the fastest-moving sports, the NBA is a frequent source of excitement. Each season, fans gear up for plenty of action on the court—and off, with many eagerly following the intriguing stories that accompany the top flight of basketball.
One of the biggest changes in the 2022-23 season for Canadian fans has been the availability of NBA odds, especially in places like Ontario. With the availability of sportsbooks, fan engagement has boomed for local teams like Toronto.
Many enjoy betting on the league because it brings with it a focus on statistics, or in other words—it lets them put their knowledge to the test.
For example, two of this year’s top teams, the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, are set to face off on December 25, 2022. As of November 17, the Celtics are the -175 favourite against the +147 Bucks. But as two of this year’s most competitive teams, predicting a winner requires studying matchup histories, lineups, and offensive and defensive power.
And the Celtics-Bucks rivalry is just one of many stories to follow in an already-riveting 2022-23 NBA season.
All Eyes on the Celtics and Bucks
As two of the most likely candidates for an NBA Finals appearance, analysts have been closely studying the early-season performances from the Celtics and Bucks. As of Week 5, the Celtics narrowly nudged past the Bucks for a No. 1 ranking in the league.
The Celtics have rising superstar Jayson Tatum to thank for their current win streak. He’s averaging just over 32 points per game, while his shooting percentage is on-par with Steph Curry. Tatum aside, the Celtics are also leading in terms of points per 100 possessions across the league. In other words, they’re offensively dominant.
The Bucks, on the other hand, are still struggling to nail their offensive rhythm. Their turnover rates are up and their free throws are down. Still, they have plenty of time to reclaim No. 1 with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Jevon Carter, and Jrue Holiday in the lineup.
Studying Harden and Embiid in Philadelphia
Everyone knows James Harden is a super star. During his time with Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets, he helped steer the sport in a totally new direction. But he’s not known for being the most consistent of players—and all eyes are on Harden to reboot his career and style in Philadelphia.
His playmaking abilities are still elite—especially with Joel Embiid at his side. However, a recent injury means that Harden won’t be on the court for close to a month. That has shifted the focus more on Embiid. In a recent game against the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers center notched up 42 points in only 40 minutes of play.
So far, Embiid has received nothing but praise from Harden—who’s never shy about being prickly. Given the camaraderie between the stars, it looks like the 76ers may have a dynamic duo on their hands.
Brooklyn is Burning (Again)
The Brooklyn Nets have outperformed every other NBA team in the last few years when it comes to wasting an unstoppable lineup. Prior to the Ben Simmons trade, the Nets had Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Durant on the court. But a series of injuries (and, later on, personal decisions) clipped the Nets before they could take off.
The lineup meant nothing, and 2021-22’s promise of new hope didn’t pan out thanks to playing restrictions on Irving. This year, things were set to take off once more, just as the news hit that Durant was requesting a trade during this last offseason. Meanwhile, it looks like Irving will be a target for the Lakers when his contract ends after this season.
Once again, this is especially frustrating for fans of the team that can sense how close they are to a Finals run. After all, Durant just became the first player since MJ to kick off the season by scoring at least 25 points in his first 13 straight games.
