Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its championship may be the real NBA Finals, at least if all the wagering money gathering on those teams is any indication.
Of the top seven potential NBA champs that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the only Eastern Conference team that the book would not be happy see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"Seemingly, we're simply going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," stated Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading method manager.
Western Conference teams have actually won three of the past 4 champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.
The top 2 favorites at BetMGM are protecting 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 currently, they're in fact among our finest results. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a huge liability. We're expecting the Warriors to be up there. We normally take a great deal of Nuggets money. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be a great team too."
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to navigate Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, second from right, as he trails behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) searches throughout 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 very same type of patterns.
"The Nuggets, undoubtedly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," said David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty always 2 of our most significant liabilities. Just popular groups for people to bank on."
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated he anticipates this NBA season to end like last season.
"I think Oklahoma City's clearly the team to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got great depth and even with a number of cutting edge injuries, they can overcome them. They're wearing a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be much the same as a year ago."
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 never ever gotten the award, however he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, especially with LeBron James missing out on the very first part of the season because of sciatica.
Voters tend to prefer to offer the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award just recently or at all.
"That's always the important things with awards," Egeland stated. "It doesn't always go to who had the best season. You have to price it as if you're opting for who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he must've won last year."
Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.
"I personally think Jokic must be the preferred," Lieberman said. "I believe there's an argument he most likely need to've won last year, however I do think SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no problem with him winning, however I think there's kind of a dominating idea that he won since the team'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 go over the win overalls.
The Magic were particularly interesting to him.
"I think this is the group that may be prepared to remove," Marshall said. "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 group to go under. Marshall said health issues were an issue for all three clubs.
The Lakers are 16-1 to win the championship 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 violated the income cap to a recommendation deal for Kawhi Leonard.
"I think the greatest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, since of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His accessibility, you never learn about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a diversion? I don't understand.
"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm almost convinced 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) last year. They just 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 area 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 likewise tempered expectations.
"I ´ m not actually sure how much of an impact Flagg is really going to make," Marshall stated. "I believe Dallas is not a risk this year. I simply put on ´ t see it with them, and I don ´ t believe Flagg is going to be the superstar everyone believes."
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 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 against Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)