The top teams in the Eastern Conference took major hits during the postseason. First, the defending Champion Boston Celtics lost Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury which will keep him out all of next season.
Then, in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury which took his team from being the top team in the East, to being a fringe playoff team.
These two injuries have opened things up for other Eastern Conference contenders. Who will take advantage of this opportunity and win the Eastern Conference?
Let’s take a look at the best teams to wager on in order to make a winning NBA Eastern Conference pick.
Picks Summary
- Orlando Magic to Win the Eastern Conference (+425)
- Milwaukee Bucks to Win the Eastern Conference (+2000)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
2026 NBA Eastern Conference Odds
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic saw the hole at the top of the Eastern Conference and made their move. The Magic sent four first round picks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane. Bane fits in perfectly on the Orlando Magic. The Magic need shooting.
The Magic were one of the worst teams from three point range last season. This was quite obvious in their series against the Boston Celtics when they were able to get stops, but could not take advantage and put pressure on the Boston defense. Not only that, Bane is a good defender who will not compromise the Orlando defense.
Many of the offseason targets for the Magic would have resulted in the team not being able to replicate their top level defense. Now the Magic have added shooting without taking away their biggest strength, their ability to lock down on the defensive end.
Don’t Sleep on Orlando
Normally this move would not push the Magic to be true contenders but with the two top teams in the East suffering catastrophic injuries, this conference is open for anyone. The Magic also have the same advantage that the other young teams do in that their best players should improve.
Both Franz Wagner and Paulo Banchero are getting better every season. So the Magic made a roster addition. They can also expect improvement from their best players.
The Magic are the first team to step up and try to take advantage of the opening at the top, and they are currently poised to do so. Also, I will not be surprised to see the Magic make a move during the season to augment their chances. Our first bet will be the Orlando Magic to win the Eastern Conference.
NBA Pick: Orlando Magic to Win the Eastern Conference (+425) at Bet365
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Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best player in the conference in Giannis Antetokounmpo. For that very reason, they will always be worth a look to me. Last season, the talent around Antetokounmpo was poor, and the Bucks were eliminated in the first round. The Bucks have already moved on from Damian Lillard who was eating too much salary cap without being healthy to play.
The Bucks acquired Myles Turner, a great center who will space the floor the way that Brook Lopez has done for the team for years. The Bucks will also be active around the margins trying to add more athleticism and defense. With the best player in the conference, anything is possible.
The Bucks only need to make a few small moves In order to be true contenders because of all the injuries in the East. Because of this reason, the Bucks are a great pick to be a long shot that makes moves and climbs their way up the standings. The Bucks still have two eligible first round picks to trade in 2031 and 2032. Since you cannot trade picks in consecutive years, one would be a pick swap. However, this is still ample ammunition to add another contributing player.
Why One Superstar Can Change Everything
The Bucks will also move on from Kyle Kuzma who is owed $42.7 million over the next 2 years. Kuzma was their big acquisition this season yet he had problems even getting playing time in the playoffs. It is safe to say that the Bucks will move on from Kuzma and will be able to acquire a serviceable player for this waste of a roster spot.
The reason the “Ring Culture” became so prevalent in NBA discourse is because of the impact that one player can have on his whole team. Even though a quarterback is so meaningful in the NFL, nobody can affect their team’s performance on both offense and defense the way a superstar NBA player can. Because of this, having the best player on the floor is so important in so many of these playoff series. Since the Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will have this covered.
Bet this now at top-rated sportbooks, you’ll be able to hedge later! Take the Milwaukee Bucks to win the Eastern Conference.
NBA Pick: Milwaukee Bucks to Win the Eastern Conference (+2000) at Bet365
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