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, a minimum of if all the wagering cash putting in on those groups is any indicator.


Of the top 7 possible NBA champions that would be bad monetary 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 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 strategy supervisor.


Western Conference groups have won three of the previous 4 champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.


The top 2 favorites at BetMGM are safeguarding champion Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference groups Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.


"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But currently, they're actually one of our finest results. 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 believe they're going to be an excellent group too."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, second from right, as he trails behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) searches during 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 kind of patterns.


"The Nuggets, certainly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite always 2 of our most significant liabilities. Just popular teams for individuals to bet on."


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


"I believe Oklahoma City's clearly the group to beat," Marshall stated. "They have actually got excellent depth and even with a number of front line injuries, they can overcome them. They're using a larger target this year. I believe 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 catch 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, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, particularly with LeBron James missing the first part of the season due to the fact that of sciatica.


Voters tend to choose to provide the benefit of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award recently or at all.


"That's constantly the thing with awards," Egeland stated. "It doesn't necessarily go to who had the finest 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 think he should've won in 2015."


Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.


"I personally believe Jokic should be the favorite," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he probably should've won in 2015, but I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no concern with him winning, however I think there's type of a prevailing thought that he won since the team's record was so good."


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 totals.


The Magic were particularly interesting to him.


"I think this is the team that may be ready to take off," 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), anticipating those group to go under. Marshall stated health issues were a problem for all 3 clubs.


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


Both teams face their share of questions.


For the Lakers, it James' health along with whether this will be his last season. The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers violated the wage cap regarding a recommendation deal for Kawhi Leonard.


"I believe the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, since of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His availability, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be an interruption? I do not understand.


"The Lakers, you can sense change coming. I'm nearly 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 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 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 preferred, Marshall likewise tempered expectations.


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