The 2022-23 NBA season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 18, with the usual doubleheader on TNT. The first game will feature the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics (with Kevin Durant?) and the second the Los Angeles Lakers (with Kyrie Irving?) at the defending champion Golden State Warriors. There are odds already out on the second game with Golden State at -5.5 at DraftKings.
Boston is currently the +450 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook to win the 2023 NBA title, and that's oddsmakers essential ly assuming that Durant will end up in Celtics green by the start of the season. The book also gives Boston the highest season win total but only at over/under 54.5. There are no odds on the opener vs. Philly yet because of the KD uncertainty.
“We've had higher win totals in the past, but it's a totally different ballgame now,” said Adam Pullen, Assistant Director of Trading at Caesars Sportsbook. “Load management is a big deal now, more than it's ever been. I just don't think there's that same push anymore for top teams to go all out in the regular season. The Suns won 64 last year, which was quite impressive, but it's tough to put up a win total in that range. A team like the Celtics, they're probably going to make sure they're healthy for the playoffs late in the season compared to chasing 60 wins or so.”
Philadelphia is reportedly interested in Durant as well, but that's considered an extreme long shot as he and James Harden didn't end their relationship with the Nets on great terms.