The odds for the NBA Finals are constantly moving. That’s especially true with big trades happening for some teams. Whether you want to know the favorites for the NBA championship or how to bet on NBA games, we’ve got you covered with analysis, tips, and the top picks for this season.
There are still plenty of regular-season games to bet on, including an exciting clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb 22. At this stage of the season, it still feels like it’s all to play for, but the moves that the teams make next can make or break their chances of getting to the NBA Finals.
Teams to Watch
Betting on NBA games gives you lots of options, including live bets, whose odds change as the action on the court does. However, if you want a different style of betting, then consider a future wager. These picks look at who’ll win the championship.
Lots of people place bets at the start of the season, which often delivers more risk and potentially a bigger reward. However, anyone yet to bet can use a bit more information to guide their choice. It’s time to weigh up which franchises are looking quietly confident and which are not.
Oklahoma City Thunder
At the time of writing, the Thunder are the favorites to win the NBA championship at most sportsbooks. We’ve seen that their stats are looking good, standing at 40-12 for now, following their loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Feb 4. They’re the confident leaders of the pack, and the 24-25 season winners, of course.
Denver Nuggets
We’ve got our eye on the Nuggets, who are also fresh off a loss to the New York Knicks on Feb 4 in a game that went to overtime. However, sportsbooks are listing them as second favorites, with Nikola Jokic putting in some good performances. Keep in mind that the Nuggets won the 22-23 NBA title and are looking for a repeat performance.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Third on the list of favorites are the Cavaliers. There has been a lot of buzz around them and the LA Clippers. That’s not just because they beat the Clippers 124-91. They’ve also traded their star point guards, with the Cavs picking up James Harden. Their recent performances have seen them push up the rankings.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Another team high up on sportsbook lists is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their current stats are 32-20. Following a narrow victory over the Raptors. If Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle stay fit and keep performing well, the Timberwolves look promising. Their defense will also play a crucial role if they’re to beat the Thunder.
Other Teams to Watch
Looking at the sportsbook odds, we can see that not far behind these four teams are the New York Knicks. They’re hoping for some long-awaited postseason action. We think it’s also worth keeping an eye on the Boston Celtics, the team that won the 23-24 championship. At the moment, the only other true hopefuls that we’re watching are the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets. We think every other team is a long shot.
What’s Affecting the Odds
We’ve mentioned the teams that are the current favorites. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that odds change. If we’d created this list a few weeks ago, it would have looked a little different. The trade deadline news certainly plays a role. The Cavs getting James Harden has caused a stir, that’s for sure.
Performance and fitness are the other two factors that will affect the odds in the coming weeks. For now, several teams still have playoff hopes, and their championship window is still open. As the wins and losses rack up, the sportsbooks will rule some teams out and adjust the odds accordingly.
Key Dates for the 25-26 Season
If you’re thinking of wagering on NBA future bets or the games, it’s a good idea to keep some key dates in mind. The NBA trade deadline was Feb 5, so the odds should calm down a bit from now on. March 1 is the playoff eligibility waiver deadline, and the regular season ends on April 12. After that, the excitement ramps up with the playoffs starting on April 16. The NBA Finals are from June 3 to June 19.
