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2025 NBA Title Prediction: Safe, Value and Longshot Bets
- The Celtics and Thunder have the shortest odds to win the NBA title
- But who are the best NBA championship picks? Our expert examines them in tiers
- Make bank with our top NBA picks today! Join with our promo code HUDDLE125.
With the NBA All-Star break, it’s a good time to give an update on the NBA championship odds. Let’s separate the real contenders from the teams just vibing like Kevin Hart as the new emcee of the All-Star game (who asked for it?).
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder lead the odds, but dark horses like Golden State could shake things up. Meanwhile, some teams are not even worth a bar.
Best Bets To Win 2025 NBA Title?
The Favorites: Short Odds, Little Value
- Boston Celtics +225
- Oklahoma City Thunder +225
CELTICS WIN THE NBA FINALS 🔥
BOSTON IS BACK ON TOP 🏆☘️ pic.twitter.com/ZuUDqntFN1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 18, 2024
The Celtics have the shortest NBA betting lines to repeat as champions alongside the Thunder, who are setting several NBA records and could be the third NBA team to hit the 70-win mark. We pegged Oklahoma City to be a sharp pick to win the title last November and its odds have shortened to tie Boston.
OKC leads the NBA with 36 wins by 10+ points, and it is 20-8 against teams at .500 or better. It also beat Boston and split the season series with Cleveland (1-1), per NBA betting trends. We can still make a profit by betting on both teams, assuming both make the NBA Finals, as most expect.
The Contenders: Moderate Odds, Some Value
- Cleveland Cavaliers +750
- New York Knicks +1200
- Denver Nuggets +1400
- Los Angeles Lakers +1400
Boston is the pick … unless Cleveland or these other contenders crash the party. The Cavaliers, like the Thunder, appeared like a shrewd NBA pick to win the title during the offseason. Cleveland was a 50/1 longshot to win the title and cut to 30/1 just before the regular season. The team is now down to +750, which still has value.
New York is the other Eastern Conference team that has a shot to beat Boston. At 12/1, the Knicks may be a nice pick unless their starters go down with injuries, as is common with Tom Thibodeau-coached teams.
Over in the West, either the Nuggets or Lakers are alternative bets to beat the Thunder. But the former lacks the depth to support Nikola Jokic, while the latter has no true “big man” on top of needing health and chemistry from its shiny new superstar – an acquisition that has dominated NBA news.
Value Bet: New York Knicks (+1200)
Shannon Sharpe: “Let us get OKC in the Western Conference Finals. I guarantee it! … If the Lakers get the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference, we are going to the NBA Finals!”
Stephen A. Smith: “Shannon need to be drug tested.” 😂pic.twitter.com/PXFNy1Rb8y
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2025
The Dark Horses: Long Odds But Enticing
- Memphis Grizzlies +2800
- Milwaukee Bucks +3300
- Los Angeles Clippers +3300
- Dallas Mavericks +4000
- Golden State Warriors +4000
- Houston Rockets +5000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +5000
This is our favorite NBA title tier since we have to get our creative juices flowing to envision reasons for how they can win. But if we convert these NBA futures odds, the implied probabilities range from 3.4% (Memphis) to 2%. These teams are unlikely to win the title. But these odds are insulting, so a bet may be warranted.
Of these dark horses, we like the Warriors at 40/1 or the Timberwolves at 50/1. They just need to make the playoffs, and it’s getting dicey given how competitive the Western Conference is. But both Golden State and Minnesota have superstars and championship-caliber defenses to contend.
If you’re a fan of either team, bet online on them now while they have long odds.
Longshot Bet: Golden State Warriors (+4000)
Everyone Else: Not Worth Betting Even at These Odds
- Phoenix Suns +6500
- Orlando Magic +8000
- Philadelphia 76ers +8000
- Indiana Pacers +9000
- San Antonio Spurs +15000
- Miami Heat +20000
- Sacramento Kings +20000
- Detroit Pistons +50000
- Atlanta Hawks +100000
- Portland Trail Blazers +100000
- Chicago Bulls +100000
- Charlotte Hornets +100000
- Brooklyn Nets +100000
- Toronto Raptors +100000
- Utah Jazz OTB
- New Orleans Pelicans OTB
- Washington Wizards OTB
Save your money. No amount of lines makes it worth betting online on any of these teams. We’re obligated to make a pick so we’ll do the Magic at 80/1 (could be longer next week given their losing skids). You’d best use the change for a Happy Meal at McDonalds.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Question of the Day
Which team has won the most NBA championships?
The Boston Celtics have the most NBA titles with 18 followed by the Los Angeles Lakers with 17.
