Start the countdown, folks! The 2023-2024 NBA season is quickly approaching and it's time to buckle down for another entertaining race for the Bob Cousy Trophy which is given to the annual Eastern Conference champions. Let's check out our NBA odds series where our Eastern Conference winner prediction and pick will be revealed.

Last season saw many twists and turns out east, including this year's co-favorite to win the conference in the Milwaukee Bucks go down in shocking fashion to the eventual east title winners in the eight-seeded Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the Celtics are fresh off of a conference title appearance to share odds with the Bucks while the Cavaliers and 76ers are lurking in the shadows. Who has what it takes to take home the hardware and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals in '23-'24?

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: 2023-24 Eastern Conference Winner Odds

Milwaukee Bucks: +175

Boston Celtics: +175

Cleveland Cavaliers: +750

Philadelphia 76ers: +1000

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Why The Bucks Will Win The Eastern Conference

Outside of their massive disappointment in the first round of the playoffs, the Bucks withholding the highest odds to win the East makes a lot of sense. Remember, this was a team that was the one-seed with a 58-24 overall record and *cough cough* just made a blockbuster move to acquire superstar sharpshooter Damian Lillard in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Indeed, that is the biggest reason why the Bucks will win the Eastern Conference. With reason.

However, don't forget about plenty of role players that will serve as the backbone of this roster. Be on the lookout for Khris Middleton to be a solid veteran presence as the #3 scoring option and Robin Lopez to be a considerable force down low.

The cherry on top? A solid bench unit that rookie head coach Adrian Griffin will be pleased to inherit. Without a doubt, the Bucks lost some of their defensive prowess after having to deal Jrue Holiday in the Lillard trade, but the possible production on that bench is there.

Why The Celtics Will Win The Eastern Conference

Out of the four teams that are included on this list, it was the Boston Celtics that made it the farthest throughout the 2022-2023 NBA Playoffs. Despite some incredibly clutch moments that led them on a pathway to the conference finals, ultimately it ended in heartbreak after a game-seven loss to the Miami Heat.

On paper, the Celtics are quite the popular pick to win this conference and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since facing off with the Golden State Warriors in 2021-2022. Despite not needing a proper introduction, Boston is led by the do-it-all small forward Jayson Tatum who has superstar written all over him. Without stating the obvious, his clean bill of health and basketball excellence on the floor this season will be a big part of the Celtics winning the East.

Finally but just as importantly, the overall team chemistry will be something interesting to watch with the addition of Kristaps Porzingis. With Boston's acquisition of a guy like Porzingis who is coming off averaging 23.1 points per game, one of the more talented teams in the league just got even scarier.

Simply put, it's hard to see this team underperforming. The tenacity on both sides of the court is more than alive, and the necessary superstars exist on this roster to make another deep run in the postseason.

Why The Cavaliers Will Win The Eastern Conference

Long gone are the days when LeBron James was the sole heart of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ever since James decided to leave “Believeland” for the second time, the Cavs have landed on their feet rather smoothly. Led by superstar Donovan Mitchell who was dealt for before the start of last season, Cleveland showed flashes of their promising play by capturing the fourth seed in the conference with a 51-31. Although they did happen to fizzle out in a lousy first-round exit to the New York Knicks, Cleveland us eager to prove that they are a better team than what they showed in the postseason.

To start it off, the Cavaliers' best shot of taking home all of the marbles in the Eastern Conference is to focus on playing a brand of basketball that is exciting youthful, and game. Remember, this is a collective squad that is only 26 years of age on average and is still going through the growing pains of the NBA game. However, another year of maturing and season at the professional level could be just what the doctor ordered for the Cavs to embark on a deep run in 2023-2024.

Not to mention, the Cavaliers made moves to get a dynamic duo of sharpshooters in the form of Max Strus and Georges Niang to increase their three-point attempts which were down a year ago. As a whole, Cleveland ranked 24th in attempts from beyond the arc despite shooting a 37% clip from deep.

Why The 76ers Will Win the Eastern Conference

What in the world is going on with this team? Sure, the talent is there in many forms, but the James Harden drama has made things complicated to say the least.

As it stands, Philadelphia boasts a generational center in their grasp with Joel Embiid as he should be in for another monstrous campaign. Even Tyrese Maxey has shown what he is capable of as a member of this team. However, the chances of them standing alone out east is restrained considering no one truly knows what is going to end up with Harden. Regardless, head coach Nick Nurse and his masterful scheme could end up saving this team if the worst comes to worst.

For Sixers fans and avid Philly bettors alike, it seems that this team's best possible ceiling is to trade Harden as soon as possible. It seems inconceivable that they are to be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference while Harden is still on this roster. It's a now-or-never moment for this organization having Embiid in his prime. Can they capitalize on the moment or will they be left asking themselves what could've been?

Final 2023-24 Eastern Conference Winner Prediction & Pick

With all the talk that the Western Conference has been receiving during the offseason, don't overlook the Eastern Conference and a handful of contending squads in the process. In regards to who will end up coming out on top, making the best bang for your buck will be siding with the new look Milwaukee Bucks to end up being too difficult to handle.

Final 2023-24 Eastern Conference Winner Prediction & Pick: Milwaukee Bucks (+175)