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<br>LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its championship might be the real NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the wagering cash gathering on those teams is any indication.<br> <br><br>Of the leading seven potential NBA champs that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, 6 live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the lone Eastern Conference team that the book would not be pleased see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.<br><br><br>"Seemingly, we're just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," stated Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading technique supervisor.<br><br><br>Western Conference teams have actually won 3 of the past four championships, with Boston in 2024 the exception.<br><br><br>The top two favorites at BetMGM are protecting champ Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference groups Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.<br><br><br>"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 always, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a big liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a lot of Nuggets cash. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be a great team as well."<br><br><br>Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) [https://www.ohovideo.com/@demetriusbiven?page=about attempts] to get around [http://wiki.die-karte-bitte.de/index.php/Benutzer_Diskussion:DongWarfield81 Oklahoma City] Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, second from right, as he routes behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on throughout the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)<br><br><br>Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that very same type of [http://code.sz-chaohui.cn/ygkeugene86846 patterns].<br><br><br>"The Nuggets, clearly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, [https://metazoowiki.com/index.php/User:ChaseBaxley878 Caesars' NBA] sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty constantly 2 of our most significant liabilities. Just popular groups for individuals to bank on."<br><br><br>CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he expects this NBA season to end like last season.<br><br><br>"I think Oklahoma City's clearly the team to beat," Marshall said. "They have actually got excellent depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can overcome them. They're wearing a bigger target this year. I think they're going to be much the same as a year back."<br><br><br>The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ruling MVP and is the preferred at BetMGM at +260 to [https://lectionary.wiki/w/User:Kirk02O6212963 capture] the award again.<br><br><br>But, he has business.<br><br><br>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 gotten the award, but he [http://ebwel.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=9 figures] to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with LeBron James  out on the very first part of the season because of sciatica.<br><br><br>[http://gitea.snailtrack.cn/brittanythornb Voters tend] to choose to give the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award just recently or at all.<br><br><br>"That's constantly the thing with awards," Egeland stated. "It doesn't necessarily go to who had the best season. You have to price it as if you're choosing who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he should've won last year."<br><br><br>Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.<br><br><br>"I personally believe Jokic needs to be the preferred," Lieberman said. "I believe there's an argument he probably ought to've won last year, however 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 sort of a dominating idea that he won since the team's record was so good."<br><br><br>Marshall said he liked Orlando (50 1/2), [http://153.122.53.106/anastasiaavu86/the-bet9ja-promo-code-this-2026-is-yohaig/-/issues/1 Indiana] (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to discuss the [https://demo.pixelphotoscript.com/rhyst388306874 win totals].<br><br><br>The Magic were particularly interesting to him.<br><br><br>"I think this is the group that may be all set to take off," Marshall stated. "They had a lot of injury issues last year. ... They still made the playoffs."<br><br><br>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 said health issues were an issue for all three clubs.<br><br><br>The Lakers are 16-1 to win the champion and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.<br><br><br>Both groups face their share of questions.<br><br><br>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 income cap relating to an [http://43.143.142.387001/kurtishosking6 endorsement] deal for Kawhi Leonard.<br><br><br>"I think the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall said. "His schedule, you never know about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a diversion? I do not understand.<br><br><br>"The Lakers, you can sense modification 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 just [https://biolink.sdbr.app/porfirio59 out-athleted] them everywhere."<br><br><br>Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the leading pick in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even notes him in minus area at -225.<br><br><br>The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.<br><br><br>While acknowledging Flagg is worthy of to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.<br><br><br>"I ´ m not really sure just how much of an effect Flagg is really going to make," Marshall stated. "I believe Dallas is not a danger this year. I just wear ´ t see it with them, and I put on ´ t think Flagg is going to be the super star everyone believes."<br><br><br>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 very first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)<br><br><br>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)<br><br><br>Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives versus Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)<br>