The start of a new season in the NBA is right around the corner, and unfortunately we find that many sports bettors fail to take advantage of a tremendous opportunity to cash in on the games during the early part of the schedule. Given all the roster changes through free agency and new additions through a deep college draft, there are some teams poised for a fast start out of the gate. At the other end of the spectrum, there are the teams that seem destined to bring up the rear of the field.

The same could be said when it comes to a particular team's performance against the spread. There are the ones that are shaping up to be a very attractive moneymaker for NBA bettors, and there are the ones that will inevitably be a major drain on the bankroll. To get you ready for the new NBA season, Doc's Sports decided to sit down with expert handicapper Raphael Esparza to get his thoughts on his 'Top Five' NBA teams to bet on ATS as well as his 'Bottom Five' teams to go against once the games get underway later this month.

Top 5 NBA Teams ATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Charlotte Hornets- (LY 50-35-1 ATS)

Charlotte is an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference after going from just 21 straight up wins in 2013 to 43 victories last season. It is one of my front-runners to win the Southeast Division this season and, along with the element of surprise, it is going to pile up a number of wins ATS, especially against some of the weaker squads in the league.

Washington Wizards (LY 49-42-2 ATS)

The Wizards are another one of my favorites to win the Southeast Division along with the Bobcats. They have been putting the right pieces in place over the past few years, and the addition of veteran forward Paul Pierce is going to pay some huge dividends both on the court and in the locker room this year.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Mavericks (LY 50-39 ATS)

Dallas has been a very stable team to bet on over the years, and it has developed a profitable habit of covering in games it is not supposed to. The addition of Chandler Parsons is a huge plus as the Mavericks pick up a much-needed scorer. This should only work to enhance their worth as moneymaker in this league.

Phoenix Suns (LY 53-29 ATS)

The Suns had a very profitable run last year, and with no major free-agent losses they should provide a number of easy wins ATS this season. Phoenix feasted on the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 20-10, and it consistently covered against all the teams it was supposed to beat.

San Antonio Spurs (LY 58- 47 ATS)

The defending champs are poised for a run at another NBA title with their roster basically intact, which means the Spurs should once again be cover machines ATS. Look for a fast start out of the gate after veteran guard Tony Parker rested his legs by not playing summer ball in the offseason.

Bottom 5 NBA Teams ATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit Pistons (LY 36-46 ATS)

The Pistons are a solid team in the East, but the conference as a whole has gotten better from a year ago. Detroit will continue to struggle covering against the elite teams in the league making it a perfect team to go against as an underdog, especially when playing the better teams from the West.

Indiana Pacers (LY 47-53-1 ATS)

The Pacers were one of the worst teams in the league ATS last year during the second half of the season, and I see the same trend dragging over into this year. Paul George is out and Lance Stephenson is gone. With Roy Hibbert reportedly on the trading block, it is going to be a long season for Indiana fans.

Milwaukee Bucks (LY 37-45 ATS)

The Bucks have some nice pieces in place to turn things around, but I am not a big fan of Jason Kidd as a head coach in this league. The Nets got off to slow start with him at the helm, and that team could not cover a game to save a bettor's life. Milwaukee could be a great team to go against through the first half of the season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Los Angeles Lakers (LY 40-40-1 ATS)

Everyone is excited that Kobe Bryant is back in the Lakers' lineup. But at 36 years old how many minutes can you expect him to play? Steve Nash is even older, and Pau Gasol is gone. Los Angeles is shaping up to be one of my top teams to go against early in the season until the oddsmakers adjust accordingly.

Minnesota Timberwolves (LY 39-43 ATS)

The Timberwolves are another team with a number of new faces on their roster, and they are one of the youngest teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, they do not have a go-to guy in the fourth quarter, which oftentimes adds up to both SU and ATS losses on a fairly frequent basis.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Esparza is considered the premier NBA handicapper in the nation with 7 of 8 winning seasons! Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza . Also be sure to follow him on Twitter @VSIDocsports.