Yes, Joe Mazzulla spent his first two years as an NBA head coach leading a title contender that boasts the league’s eight most talented players.
However, it also helped to maximize its workforce, schematically and in terms of mindsetquickly rising through the ranks to become one of the Association’s top bench bosses.
Mazzulla finished fourth for coach of the year last season. The award went to Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder. While that honor is likely destined for the Johnston, Rhode Island native in the future, bookmakers are skeptical he will be elected for the 2024-25 campaign.
FanDuel Sports Betting Mazzulla has the eighth-best odds to win Coach of the Year this season, at +1600. The candidates ranked 4-8 are in a tight group. The 76ers’ Nick Nurse is fourth at +1000. Daigneault is behind him at +1200. The Timberwolves’ Chris Finch is sixth at +1400. The Magic’s Jamahl Mosley is seventh at +1500.
FanDuel Sports Betting considers former Celtics coach Ime Udoka the favorite for the award at +850.
Udoka’s Rockets finished 41-41, 11th in the West last season, missing the play-in tournament by one spot. They used the third overall pick in this year’s NBA draft to add Reed Sheppard, a standout point guard from Kentucky. They also traded for Steven Adams to bolster their center depth behind top option Alperen Sengun.
Game odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.
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