Western Conference Teams Dominate NBA Championship Betting With

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so crammed that its champion may be the real NBA Finals, at least if all the wagering cash gathering on those teams is any sign.


Of the top 7 possible NBA champs that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the only Eastern Conference team 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 three of the previous 4 champions, with Boston in 2024 the exception.


The leading 2 favorites at BetMGM are safeguarding champ 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 huge run, our liability grows," Egeland said. "But as of now, they're really one of our best outcomes. Like constantly, we're expecting the Lakers to be a big liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a great deal of Nuggets cash. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be an extremely great team as well."


Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Jr. (7) tries to navigate 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) 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 type of patterns.


"The Nuggets, undoubtedly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," said David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty constantly two of our biggest liabilities. Just popular teams for people to wager on."


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated 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 think they're going to be similar as a year back."


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


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


"That's always the thing with awards," Egeland said. "It does not necessarily go to who had the finest season. You need to price it as if you're opting for who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he must've won last year."


Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.


"I personally believe Jokic needs to be the preferred," Lieberman said. "I think there's an argument he probably must've won last year, however I do think SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good year, I had no problem with him winning, but I think there's sort of a prevailing idea that he won since the group's record was so good."


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 might be all set to take off," Marshall stated. "They had a lot 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 said health issues were a problem for all 3 clubs.


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


Both teams face their share of questions.


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 wage cap regarding a recommendation deal for Kawhi Leonard.


"I believe the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, due to the fact that of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His availability, you never ever learn about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be a diversion? I don't know.


"The Lakers, you can notice change 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 out-athleted them all over."


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 area at -225.


The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.


While acknowledging Flagg deserves to be the preferred, Marshall likewise tempered expectations.


"I ´ m not truly sure how much of an impact Flagg is truly going to make," Marshall said. "I believe Dallas is not a hazard this year. I simply put on ´ t see it with them, and I put on ´ t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody 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 very 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) during the very 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 against 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)