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 money putting in on those teams is any sign.


Of the top 7 potential NBA champions that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, 6 live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the only Eastern Conference team that the book would not be delighted 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 technique manager.


Western Conference groups have won 3 of the past four champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.


The top two 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 currently, they're in fact among our best outcomes. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a huge liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We generally take a great deal of Nuggets money. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be a great group as well."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, 2nd from right, as he routes behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee 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 very same sort of trends.


"The Nuggets, certainly 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 groups for individuals to wager on."


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he anticipates this NBA season to end like last season.


"I think Oklahoma City's plainly the team to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got good depth and even with a number of front line injuries, they can overcome them. They're wearing a larger target this year. I think they're going to be similar as a year back."


The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ruling MVP and is the preferred at BetMGM at +260 to capture the award 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, however he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with LeBron James missing the very first part of the season since of sciatica.


Voters tend to prefer to offer the benefit of the doubt on close races to those who haven't won the award recently or at all.


"That's constantly the important things with awards," Egeland said. "It doesn't always go to who had the very best season. You need 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 favorite at Caesars.


"I personally believe Jokic ought to be the favorite," Lieberman said. "I believe there's an argument he most likely need to've won last year, but I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no issue with him winning, but I believe there's type of a dominating idea that he won since the team's record was so good."


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 particularly interesting to him.


"I think this is the team that may be ready 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 group to go under. Marshall stated health issues were a concern 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 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 salary cap regarding a recommendation deal for Kawhi Leonard.


"I think the most significant X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, since of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His accessibility, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be a diversion? I do not understand.


"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm nearly 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) in 2015. They simply 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 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 preferred, Marshall likewise tempered expectations.


"I ´ m not really sure how much of an effect Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall said. "I think Dallas is not a hazard this year. I simply wear ´ t see it with them, and I wear ´ t believe 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 during 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 between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) throughout the very first half of an NBA basketball 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)