Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its championship may be the genuine NBA Finals, at least if all the betting money gathering on those teams is any indication.


Of the leading 7 prospective NBA champions that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the lone Eastern Conference group that the book would not be happy see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.


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


Western Conference teams have actually won 3 of the past four 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 (9-1) are next.


"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a huge run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But as of now, they're in fact among our best outcomes. Like constantly, we're expecting the Lakers to be a huge liability. We're expecting the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a great deal of Nuggets money. We're reside in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be a great group too."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to navigate 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) looks on throughout 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," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite constantly two of our greatest liabilities. Just popular teams for people to bank on."


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce said he expects 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 wearing a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be much the same as a year ago."


The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to catch the award once 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 received the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with LeBron James missing out on the first part of the season because of sciatica.


Voters tend to choose to give the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who haven't 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 need to price it as if you're choosing 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 needs to be the favorite," Lieberman stated. "I think there's an argument he most likely should've won last year, however I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no problem with him winning, however I believe there's sort of a prevailing idea that he won due to the fact that the team's record was so excellent."


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 especially 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 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 team to go under. Marshall stated health concerns 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 concerning an endorsement offer for Kawhi Leonard.


"I think the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His schedule, you never ever understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a distraction? I don't understand.


"The Lakers, you can sense change coming. I'm almost 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) last year. They just out-athleted them everywhere."


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 is worthy of to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.


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