Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its championship might be the real NBA Finals, at least if all the wagering money gathering on those teams is any indicator.
Of the leading 7 possible NBA champs that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the only Eastern Conference team that the book would not be happy 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 manager.
Western Conference teams have won three of the previous 4 champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.
The leading 2 favorites at BetMGM are protecting champ Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York City (9-1) are next.
"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a huge run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But currently, they're actually among our finest outcomes. Like always, we're expecting the Lakers to be a big liability. We're expecting the Warriors to be up there. We typically take a lot of Nuggets cash. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be an excellent team as well."
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Isaiah Hartenstein, 2nd from right, as he tracks behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) searches during 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 same kind of patterns.
"The Nuggets, certainly 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 greatest liabilities. Just popular teams for individuals to bet on."
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he expects this NBA season to end like last season.
"I believe Oklahoma City's plainly the team to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got good depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can overcome them. They're using a larger target this year. I think they're going to be much the exact same as a year earlier."
The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ruling MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to capture 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 gotten the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, particularly with LeBron James missing the very 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 haven't won the award just recently or at all.
"That's constantly the important things with awards," Egeland stated. "It does not always go to who had the finest season. You have to price it as if you're going for who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I think he must've won in 2015."
Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.
"I personally believe Jokic ought to be the favorite," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he most likely ought 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 type of a prevailing thought that he won since the group'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 review the win overalls.
The Magic were particularly appealing to him.
"I believe this is the team that might be all set to remove," Marshall said. "They had a great deal of injury issues 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 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 investigating whether the Clippers broke the salary cap regarding a recommendation deal for Kawhi Leonard.
"I believe the greatest X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, since of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His schedule, you never learn about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be a diversion? I do not know.
"The Lakers, you can notice modification coming. I'm nearly persuaded 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 top choice 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 should have to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.
"I ´ m not truly sure just how much of an effect Flagg is truly going to make," Marshall stated. "I believe Dallas is not a hazard this year. I simply put on ´ t see it with them, and I wear ´ t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody thinks."
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) looks on 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 between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) during the very 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 game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)