NBA Championship 2025 Update: Who’s Favored Ahead of 2024-25 Season?

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been three months since the Boston Celtics won last season’s NBA Championship. Nevertheless, October is nearly here, meaning we’re less than a month away from the start of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Even though the action hasn’t begun, basketball bettors are still thinking about the upcoming betting opportunities — including when it comes to the NBA Finals. Will we see the Celtics repeat? Or will a new champion emerge?

Let’s take a look at how the 2025 NBA Championship odds are shaping up ahead of the upcoming season.

Last 10 NBA Champions

• 2024: Boston Celtics (def. Dallas Mavericks 4-1)
• 2023: Denver Nuggets (def. Miami Heat 4-1)
• 2022: Golden State Warriors (def. Boston Celtics 4-2)
• 2021: Milwaukee Bucks (def. Phoenix Suns 4-2)
• 2020: Los Angeles Lakers (def. Miami Heat 4-2)
• 2019: Toronto Raptors (def. Golden State Warriors 4-2)
• 2018: Golden State Warriors (def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0)
• 2017: Golden State Warriors (def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1)
• 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (def. Golden State Warriors 4-3)
• 2015: Golden State Warriors (def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2)

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NBA Championship 2025 Odds Update & Prediction (Sept. 27)

All NBA Championship odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of 11:20 a.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 27. 

• Boston Celtics (+285)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (+700)
• Philadelphia 76ers (+800)
• New York Knicks (+850)
• Denver Nuggets (+900)
• Dallas Mavericks (+1000)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1100)
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1400)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+2500)
• Memphis Grizzlies (+3300)
• Phoenix Suns (+3300)
• Golden State Warriors (+3500)
• Miami Heat (+4000)
• New Orleans Pelicans (+4000)
• Sacramento Kings (+4000)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500)
• Indiana Pacers (+5000)
• Orlando Magic (+5000)
• LA Clippers (+6000)
• San Antonio Spurs (+6600)
• Houston Rockets (+8000)
• Atlanta Hawks (+25000)
• Chicago Bulls (+75000)
• Brooklyn Nets (+100000)
• Charlotte Hornets (+100000)
• Detroit Pistons (+100000)
• Portland Trail Blazers (+100000)
• Toronto Raptors (+100000)
• Utah Jazz (+100000)
• Washington Wizards (+100000)

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Unsurprisingly, the Boston Celtics are BetOnline’s lopsided odds-on favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA Finals. The defending champions’ +285 odds are clearly the best in the field as they carry an implied win probability of 26.0%. While that’s far from a guarantee, those are much better odds than the next best team.

The Celtics boast elite-level talent at both ends of the court and are led by the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. That’s without even mentioning supporting cast members like Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. Few teams around the NBA are good enough to go toe-to-toe with a lineup like that.

Do the Celtics have what it takes to repeat as NBA Champions? 

The Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold the second-best 2025 NBA Championship odds (+700). The Thunder are one of the fastest-rising teams in the league and have improved their win total in each of the last three seasons. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City reached the postseason’s second round for the first time in nearly a decade this past spring, which will only further motivate the team to try to win basketball’s top prize.

The Philadelphia 76ers come in at third with +800 championship odds. While the 76ers have been one of the better teams in recent NBA regular seasons, playoff success has eluded them. They’re hoping to change that after acquiring the nine-time All-Star forward via free agency this offseason.

Other teams like the New York Knicks (+850), Denver Nuggets (+900), and Dallas Mavericks (+1000) are talented enough to challenge for the championship, too. However, I’m sticking with the Celtics as my early prediction.

Again, the C’s were one of the best teams regarding most team statistics last season. They now have the experience that comes from winning the NBA Finals, which could turn them into an even bigger threat during the 2024-25 season.

Unless key players are injured or they show legitimate signs of regression, the Celtics will likely remain NBA Championship contenders right until the end of the season.

Early 2025 NBA Championship Prediction: Boston Celtics (+285)

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Are you looking to make the most of your NBA betting plays? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for 2024-25 game.

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