Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so crammed that its champion might be the genuine NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the wagering money pouring in on those groups is any indicator.
Of the top seven prospective NBA champs that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, 6 reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the lone Eastern Conference group that the book would not be delighted see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"Seemingly, we're just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," stated Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading technique manager.
Western Conference teams have actually won three of the previous four champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.
The top 2 favorites at BetMGM are safeguarding champion Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York City (9-1) are next.
"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But as of now, they're actually among our finest outcomes. Like constantly, we're expecting the Lakers to be a huge liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We generally take a lot of Nuggets cash. We're reside in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be a great team as well."
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, second from right, as he routes behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that same sort of trends.
"The Nuggets, undoubtedly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," said David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite always two of our greatest liabilities. Just popular teams for people to bank on."
CBS Bruce Marshall stated he expects this NBA season to end like last season.
"I believe Oklahoma City's plainly the group to beat," Marshall said. "They've got good depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can get over them. They're using a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be much the very same as a year back."
The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to capture the award again.
But, he has company.
Denver's Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic are next at each 3-1. Jokic is a three-time MVP. Doncic has actually never ever gotten the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with LeBron James missing the first part of the season since of sciatica.
Voters tend to prefer to provide the benefit of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award just recently or at all.
"That's always the thing with awards," Egeland said. "It doesn't necessarily go to who had the very best season. You have to price it as if you're choosing who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he must've won in 2015."
Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.
"I personally believe Jokic should be the favorite," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he most likely should've won last year, but I do think SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good year, I had no issue with him winning, however I think there's sort of a dominating idea that he won because the group's record was so good."
Marshall stated he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to discuss the win overalls.
The Magic were particularly appealing to him.
"I think this is the team that might be all set to take off," Marshall stated. "They had a lot of injury problems last year. ... They still made the playoffs."
He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), expecting those group to go under. Marshall stated health concerns were an issue for all 3 clubs.
The Lakers are 16-1 to win the champion and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.
Both teams face their share of concerns.
For the Lakers, it James' health along with whether this will be his final season. The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers broke the salary cap concerning an endorsement offer for Kawhi Leonard.
"I believe the most significant X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, since of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His accessibility, you never ever know about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be an interruption? I do not understand.
"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm nearly encouraged this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, but that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) in 2015. They simply out-athleted them all over."
Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the leading pick in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even lists him in minus territory at -225.
The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.
While acknowledging Flagg deserves to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.
"I ´ m not actually sure how much of an effect Flagg is really going to make," Marshall said. "I believe Dallas is not a danger this year. I simply don ´ t see it with them, and I put on ´ t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody thinks."
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) searches throughout the first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doni (77) shoots between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) during the very first half of an NBA basketball video game, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives versus Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)