The NBA season is now nearing its halfway point, with fans and bettors looking ahead to what the rest of the year will bring. Entering 2025, much has been established, so bookmakers have some clear ideas about who the current favourites are.
For bettors looking to wager on the NBA Championship, certain teams are given a clear edge by oddsmakers. Let’s look at the five teams that have been given the highest odds of lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy by betting sites.
Boston Celtics (+200)
If you check a dozen online bookmakers, they will likely all have the Celtics as the clear favourite to win the NBA Finals. It isn’t hard to see why. The Celtics dominated en route to a massive victory in last year’s NBA Finals, and they brought back the exact same roster. There are very few holes to poke in this team, which is arguably the league’s most well-rounded. Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a dynamic 1-2 punch, and players like Payton Pritchard, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis are all top talents.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+350)
Many predicted a big year for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, and they have not disappointed. The Thunder have been dominant with a defence that is one of the best the league has seen in ages. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the league’s top candidates for MVP, averaging more than 30 points per game. Their team has yet to be fully healthy, and they are still steamrolling the competition. If they can maintain their intensity and get healthy for the playoffs, they will present arguably the most unpleasant matchup of any NBA squad. Chet Holmgren, who was mid-breakout, can lift them over the top.
New York Knicks (+1000)
The New York Knicks have managed to become a consistent playoff team but are now looking at their first viable NBA Finals contender since the 1990s. The Knicks have an incredible offence. Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson are as dynamic of a 1-2 punch as there is in the league, and Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart are top-notch high-end complementary contributors. Surprisingly, defense has been a problem, but fans are hoping that the return of Mitchell Robinson will help there. They have higher odds than one would expect at this point in the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+1100)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are this year’s surprise team. They currently hold the NBA’s best record and have been an absolute force to start the season. They have a deep roster led by their big four of Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarett Allen, all of whom are playing at or near career-best levels. They are currently locked into a 70+ win pace, which would make them one of the greatest teams of all time. Consider this ranking by oddsmakers a dampening of expectations. However, no one online could’ve predicted this start, so oddsmakers not jumping on the bandwagon yet does not mean much.
Denver Nuggets (+1500)
The Denver Nuggets are a unique case. They have what is unquestionably the best player on the planet, Nikola Jokic. Jokic is putting together what could be the best season of his career and could win MVP for the 4th time in five years. However, the team around him has been disappointing. The Nuggets do not have a ton of separation in the standings, and his supporting case has not been able to handle the burden when Jokic rests. Players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. need to step up if this team has any shot at making a deep playoff run.
