Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its champion might be the genuine NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the wagering cash gathering on those groups is any indication.


Of the top 7 prospective NBA champs that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the lone Eastern Conference group that the book would not be delighted see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.


"Seemingly, we're just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," said Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading method supervisor.


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


The leading 2 favorites at BetMGM are defending 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 stated. "But currently, they're actually one of our best outcomes. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a big liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We typically take a great deal of Nuggets cash. We're reside in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be an excellent team 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 tracks behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) searches throughout the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)


Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that exact same type of patterns.


"The Nuggets, undoubtedly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty constantly two of our most significant liabilities. Just popular teams for people to bank on."


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


"I believe Oklahoma City's clearly the group to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got good depth and even with a number of cutting edge injuries, they can get over them. They're wearing a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be similar as a year earlier."


The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to record 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 actually never gotten 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 because of sciatica.


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


"That's always the important things with awards," Egeland said. "It does not necessarily go to who had the very 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 needs to've won last year."


Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.


"I personally believe Jokic must be the preferred," Lieberman stated. "I think there's an argument he most likely ought to've won last year, but I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good 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 group's record was so excellent."


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 overalls.


The Magic were particularly appealing to him.


"I think this is the group that may be all set to remove," Marshall stated. "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), expecting those team to go under. Marshall stated health concerns 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 teams face their share of questions.


For the Lakers, it James' health in addition to whether this will be his final season. The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers violated the salary cap relating to an endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.


"I believe the most significant X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His schedule, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a diversion? I don't know.


"The Lakers, you can sense change coming. I'm practically encouraged 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 all over."


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


"I ´ m not truly sure how much of an effect Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall stated. "I think Dallas is not a threat this year. I just don ´ t see it with them, and I don ´ t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody believes."


Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) looks on 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 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)