NBA Handicapping Articles

2025-26 Detroit Pistons Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 10/1/2025

The Detroit Pistons won a playoff game for the first time since 2008 last season and have a promising group of prospects ready to usher in the next generation of NBA superstars. After five straight seasons of bottom-three finishes in the Eastern Conference, last season was a refreshing taste of success for the Pistons fanbase. Detroit is one of several emerging contenders in a wide-open Eastern Conference, and could this be the year they finally take the next step towards a deep playoff run?

2025-26 Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/30/2025

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season for the first time since the LeBron James era. However, after being unable to follow it up with postseason success, the Cavaliers are hungry once again to claim the top spot. This is an incredibly talented team with minimal other polished contenders to deal with in the Eastern Conference.

2025-26 Chicago Bulls Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/29/2025

The Chicago Bulls have finished ninth or tenth in the Eastern Conference in three straight seasons before getting bounced in the play-in tournament. A wide-open Eastern Conference means the Bulls could rise into the postseason with a .500 record, but a lack of offseason moves has left the fan base scratching its heads. Do the Bulls have enough talent in Chicago to make a surprising playoff run, or will it be an 11th straight season without a playoff win in Chicago?

2025-26 Charlotte Hornets Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/29/2025

The Charlotte Hornets were bitten by the injury bug last season, and there is suddenly optimism brewing with the Hornets fanbase heading into the new season. Charlotte has the star talent needed to make the playoffs, but keeping their stars healthy is the biggest concern heading into the new season.

2025-26 Brooklyn Nets Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/26/2025

The Brooklyn Nets have been dwelling in the basement of the Eastern Conference since trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but they are beginning to reap the rewards of a patient rebuild. There is no shortage of young talent entering the Nets' development pipeline, but is this season too early to expect tangible results? The oddsmakers aren’t giving the Nets much of a chance to make waves in April, but let’s dive into how bettors can best attack this lucrative betting market.

2025-26 Boston Celtics Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/25/2025

The Boston Celtics have been the team to beat in the Eastern Conference for the last few seasons, but the tides are shifting after their roster was flipped upside down this offseason. The Celtics finished in the top two in the East in four straight seasons, reaching the Finals twice and winning one championship in that span.

2025-26 Atlanta Hawks Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals
by Spencer Toth - 9/25/2025

The Atlanta Hawks appear poised to break out of mediocrity after a series of crafty summer signings. They have hovered around the .500 mark with a 201-199 record over the last five seasons, and now have the supporting cast around Trae Young for a deep playoff run. Young’s defense has improved, the Hawks are healthy, and a wide-open Eastern Conference has the Atlanta fan base buzzing for the new season.

5 NBA Draft Picks Everyone Laughed At Until They Became A Star
by Jeremy Block - 8/22/2025

The NBA Draft can be a bit of a gamble. Every year, a few players get overlooked, and somehow, they end up becoming stars while the top picks struggle to live up to expectations. Sure, we all get excited about the top prospects, but it’s the ones who slip through the cracks that often surprise us the most.

NBA Coaches Who Were Better Players
by Jeremy Block - 7/25/2025

Being a former player doesn’t automatically make someone a great coach. It usually just means they’ve been around long enough to fake a convincing gameplan and know how to survive a film session without putting anyone to sleep. The league is full of former players who were brought in as a head coach, because they once had a reliable jumper or played next to someone who did.

NBA Players Who Choked in the Playoffs
by Jeremy Block - 7/24/2025

Every year, the NBA playoffs roll around and someone’s hype train crashes into a wall of double teams, stupid mistakes, and uncomfortable questions about whether they’re actually built for the big stage or not. Look, regular season dominance is one thing. But when the lights get bright and team defenses actually try, some guys have the tendency to fold like a lawn chair at a family reunion.

Seven NBA Players Who Were Universally Loved
by Jeremy Block - 7/24/2025

NBA fans love to argue. Top five this, GOAT that, championship rings versus stats—every opinion gets chewed up and spit out in the group chat. But somehow, a few players managed to duck all that nonsense and be liked by any fan of the sport.

Most Unlucky Injuries That Altered NBA Careers Forever
by Jeremy Block - 6/27/2025

Some injuries hit so hard, they change the player forever. It’s a brutal mix of bad luck, timing, and physical toll that turns rising stars into “what if” stories. Here’s a look at seven NBA players whose careers were altered by some of the worst unlucky injuries in league history.

Seven NBA Players With Better Careers Overseas
by Jeremy Block - 6/26/2025

Every basketball player dreams of the NBA, until the NBA doesn’t exactly dream back. Whether it’s due to bad fits, bad timing, or just flat-out not being that good in the world’s top league, some players find their groove in other places with less ESPN coverage.

Top 7 NBA Draft Busts Who Actually Had Solid Careers
by Jeremy Block - 6/25/2025

Getting tagged a “draft bust” in the NBA usually means your career didn’t live up to the hype. However, sometimes that label misses the bigger picture. You hear the word “bust,” and your brain jumps to players who couldn’t even hang in the league past their rookie deal. But not every so-called bust was a total disaster.

Seven Most Overrated NBA Centers
by Jeremy Block - 6/23/2025

Being a center used to mean owning the paint and dominating with size and brute force. Now, the game’s changed, but some big men still get more credit than they deserve(d), thanks to inflated stats, selective memory, or just old-school hype.

Most Overrated NBA Coaches in History
by Jeremy Block - 6/19/2025

There’s no shortage of overhyped coaches in the NBA. Some rode coattails like a city bus, others got career boosts just by showing up at the right time, and plenty stood there coaching teams that barely needed direction thanks to rosters already stacked to the ceiling.

7 Best Dunkers of All Time
by Jeremy Block - 6/2/2025

Some moments in basketball make you clap. Others make you stand. And then there are the dunks. The ones that make you yell at an empty room like someone just got slapped. Dunking is basketball’s most satisfying middle finger, and the guys on this list threw it down like they had personal beef with the rim.

Top 6 Most Hated NBA Players
by Jeremy Block - 6/1/2025

The NBA is a league full of heroes, but every now and then, a player somehow manages to combine incredible talent with a disliked personality. Whether it’s their antics on the court, their over-the-top confidence, or some questionable decisions off the court, certain players have built a story of hate with them throughout their career.

Top 6 NBA Role Players Who Would Be Stars in Today’s Game
by Jeremy Block - 5/24/2025

The NBA has evolved. And now more than ever, role players are crucial to the game’s success. Gone are the days where a role player was someone who just took up space. In today’s game, those underappreciated guys are just as likely to have a key impact as the superstars. Whether it's defense, shooting, or pure versatility, role players who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and make smart decisions are in high demand.

Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Series Predictions and Best Bets
by Spencer Toth - 5/20/2025

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers pulled off massive upsets to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, setting up a rematch of their second-round meeting last season. Indiana was a +500 underdog to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the New York Knicks were +525 underdogs to beat the Boston Celtics. The Pacers have yet to win a championship in franchise history and will look to take their postseason run one step further after their ECF exit last year.