Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so crammed that its championship might be the genuine NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the betting cash putting in on those teams is any indicator.


Of the leading seven potential NBA champs that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the only Eastern Conference group that the book would not be pleased 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 strategy 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 defending champion Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference groups Cleveland (+750) and New York City (9-1) are next.


"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland said. "But as of now, they're really among our finest outcomes. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a big liability. We're expecting the Warriors to be up there. We normally take a lot of Nuggets cash. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be an extremely excellent group too."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, 2nd from right, as he tracks behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on throughout the first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)


Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that same type of trends.


"The Nuggets, clearly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty constantly 2 of our biggest liabilities. Just popular teams for individuals to wager on."


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated he expects this NBA season to end like last season.


"I think Oklahoma City's clearly the group to beat," Marshall stated. "They have actually got excellent depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can overcome them. They're wearing a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be similar as a year back."


The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the preferred at BetMGM at +260 to record the award once 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 never ever received the award, however he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, particularly with LeBron James missing the very first part of the season since of sciatica.


Voters tend to choose to give the 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 stated. "It does not necessarily go to who had the best season. You need to price it as if you're choosing who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I think he should've won last year."


Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.


"I personally believe Jokic ought to be the favorite," Lieberman said. "I think there's an argument he probably should've won last year, however I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such a great year, I had no problem with him winning, however I think there's kind of a dominating thought that he won because the group's record was so good."


Marshall said he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to discuss the win totals.


The Magic were especially appealing to him.


"I think this is the team that might be prepared to remove," Marshall stated. "They had a lot of injury problems in 2015. ... They still made the playoffs."


He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), anticipating those team to go under. Marshall stated health issues 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 groups face their share of questions.


For the Lakers, it James' health as well as whether this will be his final season. The NBA is examining whether the Clippers broke the income cap regarding a recommendation offer for Kawhi Leonard.


"I believe the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His accessibility, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be a distraction? I do not know.


"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm practically persuaded this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, however that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) in 2015. They just out-athleted them everywhere."


Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the leading choice in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even notes 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 should have to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.


"I ´ m not really sure just how much of an impact Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall said. "I believe Dallas is not a danger this year. I simply wear ´ t see it with them, and I wear ´ t think Flagg is going to be the super star everyone 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 very 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 in between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) during the 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)