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 wagering cash putting in on those teams is any sign.


Of the top seven possible NBA champs that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the lone 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 method supervisor.


Western Conference groups have won 3 of the past four championships, 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 teams Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.


"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a huge run, our liability grows," Egeland said. "But as of now, they're really among our best 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 reside in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be an excellent group too."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) tries to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, 2nd 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 video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)


Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that exact same sort of patterns.


"The Nuggets, obviously with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite constantly two of our biggest liabilities. Just popular groups for individuals 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 group to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got good depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can get over them. They're wearing a larger 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 favorite at BetMGM at +260 to catch the award once again.


But, he has business.


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 received the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, especially with LeBron James missing the first part of the season due to the fact that 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 constantly the thing with awards," Egeland said. "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 ought to've won in 2015."


Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.


"I personally think Jokic needs to be the preferred," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he most likely should've won in 2015, however I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no concern with him winning, but I think there's kind of a prevailing idea that he won due to the fact that the team's record was so great."


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 totals.


The Magic were especially interesting to him.


"I believe this is the group that may be ready to take off," Marshall stated. "They had a great deal 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 said health concerns were a problem for all 3 clubs.


The Lakers are 16-1 to win the championship and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.


Both groups face their share of concerns.


For the Lakers, it James' health in addition to whether this will be his final season. The NBA is examining whether the Clippers broke the relating to an endorsement offer for Kawhi Leonard.


"I think the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, much more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His availability, you never ever understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be an interruption? I don't know.


"The Lakers, you can notice modification coming. I'm almost convinced 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) last year. They simply out-athleted them everywhere."


Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the top 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 deserves to be the favorite, Marshall likewise tempered expectations.


"I ´ m not actually sure just how much of an effect Flagg is truly going to make," Marshall stated. "I think Dallas is not a danger this year. I simply wear ´ t see it with them, and I wear ´ t believe Flagg is going to be the super star 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 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) throughout 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) throughout the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)