2024-25 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions

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On April 19, the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs tip off following the conclusion of the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Playoffs will begin with 16 teams fighting for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. Eight teams in each conference will battle for their conference championship and a spot in the NBA Finals, which begin on June 5.  

As of this writing, the OKC Thunder are favored to win the Western Conference as they have been for most of the season. The defending NBA champs, Boston Celtics, still sit as the top betting favorite for the Eastern Conference despite finishing as the #2 seed.

With that said, let’s take a look at the latest NBA odds to win this year’s title and make our NBA Championship predictions.

NBA Finals Schedule

The NBA Finals begin on June 5, and run until June 22 if necessary. The entire series will be televised live on ABC. The following is a breakdown of each scheduled game:

• June 5: Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 8: Game 2 on ABC, 8 p.m. ET
• June 11: Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 13: Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• June 16: Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• June 19: Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• June 22: Game 7 on ABC, 8 p.m. ET (if necessary)

NBA Championship Odds

Check out the latest NBA Championship odds, courtesy of the best sports betting sites:

Since the NBA Trade Deadline, we’ve seen some major movement in betting lines. Most notably, the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers all saw their odds dramatically improve.

Of course, we can’t overlook that incredible turnaround that the Detroit Pistons have made as well. However, they’re not considered a real contender this year like the three teams above.

On the other end, the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks saw their NBA odds plummet as the regular season concluded. The top handicappers are still leaning towards the Oklahoma Thunder and Boston Celts to win the NBA Title. Is there better value elsewhere?

NBA Championship Favorites

The following NBA teams are considered the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Championship:

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has been the best team in the Western Conference all year long. In fact, they’ve been the best team in the NBA from the opening bell to the final bell of the regular season.

Not to mention, this squad has one of the best defenses in the league as they allow 107.6 ppg which is third best in the NBA. Offensively, the Thunder are 4^th in the NBA at 120.1 ppg and are tied for the second-best home scoring mark at 122.8 ppg.

This team is loaded from top to bottom in their rotation. With a healthy Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, I expect this team to be very difficult to beat at any point in the Playoffs. However, will this really be the year that the Thunder finally win an NBA Championship?

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics finished second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavs, but the defending champions remain one of the top two odds-on favorites to win the title. The Celtics still have arguably the best starting five, provided that they’re all healthy.

The Celtics feature the 2^nd best defensive team in the NBA as they allow just 107.4 ppg. They also have the 8^th best offense at 116.6 ppg. Furthermore, Boston had the best Away record on the year at 33-8. That’s an incredible mark heading into the Playoffs where you must win on the opponent’s floor.

When you add their championship experience, depth, and overall level of talent, the Celtics are going to be a nightmare for any team they face along the way.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Nobody expected the Cleveland Cavaliers to rise to the top of the standings the way they have this season. After firing JB Bickerstaff, who went and turned the Pistons around, the Cavs turned to Kenny Atkinson who turned this team around. In fact, Atkinson is the odds-on favorite to win Coach of the Year.

Despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are clearly behind the Celtics with their championship odds according to the sportsbooks.

And, yet, they have the second-best home record, one win behind OKC, and the #1 offense in the league at 122 ppg, which is nearly 12 points more per game than last year.

There’s only one question that remains for the Cavs, and that’s whether or not they can beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference to go to the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Lakers

Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in the steal of the century, the purple and yellow have been one of the best teams in the league. So, it’s no surprise that they’re considered one of the Top 5 betting favorites to win the NBA Championship this year.

In 28 games played with the Lakers, Doncic has averaged 28.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 7.5 apg. Add that to LeBron James and his 24.4 ppg, 7.8 rpb, 8.2 apg, and you have one of the most lethal duos in the league.

If the Lakers can get contributions from other players outside of Austin Reaves, then this squad could make a deep run. And, we all know that the league wants this to happen. So, get ready for some favorable calls, questionable moments, and a ton of controversy as the “Lake Show” aim for an appearance in the NBA Finals.

Golden State Warriors

Just like with the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors made a dramatic shift from Play-In Tournament team to a Western Conference contender after the trade deadline.

The addition of Jimmy Butler made this team special on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the Warriors are 8^th in the league allowing just 110.3 ppg. That’s not something we’re used to seeing from this team. It’s five points better than last year’s squad.

Butler gives the Warriors a reliable scorer alongside Steph Curry who led the team with 24.4 ppg. Butler is also well-known for his Playoff performances, which makes Golden State even scarier this postseason.

The Best NBA Championship Betting Value

The following NBA teams offer the best betting value to win the 2025 NBA Championship:

Denver Nuggets

Can you remember the last time that an NBA Championship winning team, with a perennial NBA MVP contender, has entered the Playoffs in such disarray?

I certainly can’t think of another occurrence, but that’s exactly what happened with the Denver Nuggets to close out the 2024-25 NBA regular season.

Denver enters the Playoffs having fired their championship winning head coach just a few days before the postseason starts. They’ve been a sub .500 team since the All-Star break and the team’s top brass decided Mike Malone was part of the problem.  

A war between Malone and GM Calvin Booth also tore this franchise apart. Both men are done with the team. Will this help the on-court problems with unity and effort? That remains to be seen.

However, when you have Nikola Jokic then you still have a chance to win in the Playoffs. Let’s see how far the heart of a champion can take this team.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks might have backed their way into the Playoffs, but you can’t dismiss the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference just because they put it in cruise control at the end of the regular season.  

Their lack of urgency in the final weeks of the season means that the Knicks have to face the remarkable Detroit Pistons. Nevertheless, I believe the Knicks offer the best value in the Eastern Conference and the second-best value in the Playoffs behind my longshot pick below.

The Knicks have one of the best starting fives in the league with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart.

The additions of Towns and Bridges have helped New York become a Top 10 offense (115.8 ppg) and defense (111.8 ppg). It’s also given this squad a number of go-to scores from the post to the perimeter.

Brunson is going to win the Clutch Player of the Year award, and rightfully so. However, Towns has been a force for the Knicks with 24.4 ppg and 12.8 rpg.

I fully expect New York to remind everyone why they’re a legit NBA Championship contender by dominating the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Playoffs.

Top NBA Championship Longshot

The Los Angeles Clippers (+4000) are my pick for the top longshot to win the NBA Championship. I’m stunned that LA’s second team has odds this large, especially considering how much depth and high-quality talent that the Clips have on their roster.

Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell have been remarkable this season as two of the best players on this team. Zubac has been dominant in the paint at 16.7 ppg and 12.6 rpg. He’s been a anchor on the #4 ranked defense that allows 108.1 ppg, which is four points better per game than last year.

Of course, James Harden is leading the team in points (22.6 ppg) and assists (8.7 apg), but he’s also played almost every game this year.

Kawhi Leonard is looking great after missing the first half of the season. He’s scoring 21.2 ppg and appears to be trending upwards heading into the Playoffs.

The additions of Bogdan Bogdonavic and Ben Simmons has given this team more depth and scoring as well. The Clips can roll at least eight deep and will be better than most other teams.

I think this team will surprise many. The Clips are a real contender in the Playoffs. The only thing that can stop them is an injury or two. And, unfortunately, that’s plagued this team for the last few years. Yet, they look healthy right now and dominant on both sides of the court.

NBA Championship Predictions

Until someone beats the Boston Celtics, you have to ride with Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, White, and company. This is a battle-tested squad with championship experience.

There’s been very little drop off on this team from last year. In fact, Payton Pritchard makes this team even more dangerous than last year.

Pritchard is average 14.1 ppg off the bench and will win the 6^th Man of the Year award. Porzingis is finally looking healthy as well, which makes Boston’s “Big 3” one of the scariest in the league.

I’m taking the Celtics to win the NBA Championship for a second straight season. However, I have a little less confidence in them this year than I did last year. I think the competition is better in the East with teams like the Cavs and Knicks.

I also think the West has comparable talent in the Lakers, Clippers and Thunder. In fact, oddsmakers still have OKC as their NBA pick to win the championship.

Bet: Boston Celtics (+205)

NBA Championship Prop Bets

Check out the following NBA Championship prop bets, courtesy of Bet365:

NBA Championship Winning Conference

• Western Conference (-135)
• Eastern Conference (+105)

Over the last 10 years, the Western Conference has won six championships including two of the last three. However, the Eastern Conference offers great value for this prop bet.

We’re getting the defending champs Boston and the team with the second-best record in the NBA, the Cavs, for plus-money odds. That’s an incredible deal especially considering the Knicks are just as good as any team in the West outside of the Thunder.

I really like the Eastern Conference option in this prop bet.

Bet: Eastern Conference (+105)

NBA Championship Divisional Winner

• Northwest Division (+140)
• Atlantic Division (+190)
• Central Division (+500)
• Pacific Division (+500)
• Southwest Division (+5500)
• Southeast Division (+25000)

The Pacific Division has won five of the last 10 NBA Championships with the Warriors winning four and the Lakers winning one. The Pacific offers the best value for this prop bet and would be a great way to hedge our bets with the wagers above.

The favored option is the Northwest Division, which includes the Thunder, Nuggets and Timberwolves. However, I’m ride or die with the Atlantic Division due to the Celtics and Knicks.

Until someone beats Boston, I’m sticking with them, their Division and their Conference to win the NBA Championship for a second consecutive season.

Bet: Atlantic Division (+190)

State of NBA Championship Winner

• The Field (-650)
• California (+550)
• New York (+3000)
• Texas (+8000)
• Florida (+40000)

It’s clear that California has the most NBA teams: Lakers, Clippers, Warriors and Kings. We also could see all four of them in the Playoffs. However, this prop bet is clearly The Field.

Although there’s no value, The Field option covers top teams like the Thunder, Celtics, Nuggets, and Cavs. It also includes potential upset artists like the Pacers, Bucks and Timberwolves as well.

Now, if all four of California’s teams advance from the opening round of the Playoffs, then we will have to reconsider our wager depending on the value we can get with a California betting option.

Bet: The Field (-650)

NBA Finals Winners

The following is a list of the most recent NBA Champions: