NBA Championship Odds: Celtics Continue To Stand Alone At Top Of Betting Boards

The 2022-23 NBA season is underway, and there is no better time than the present to place a few early bets on futures markets, including the latest NBA championship odds. The Boston Celtics have been a strong team from the start and stand alone on top of betting boards as the favorite to win the NBA championship this season.

Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks may have something to say about that as well as the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans.

But the season is young and a lot can still happen– so don’t count anyone out just yet. Only time will tell how the season will play out, but this page will keep you up to date on the latest NBA championship odds all season long.

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NBA Championship Odds 2023

The Celtics and Bucks have not disappointed fans and bettors this season. Both have been the best teams in the Eastern Conference (possibly in the NBA) since the season got underway. But the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors, have been one of the bigger disappointments in the league. As of their December 7 loss to the Jazz, they are 13-13; they’ve gone 6-4 in their last ten games,

Brooklyn has been on a roll since Black Friday; they lost that night to the Pacers to fall to 9-11. But since then, the Nets have won five of six games (through December 7) to improve to two games over .500, 14-12.

While the Suns have lost two of their last three, they have won seven of their last ten to improve to 16-8. However, they are no longer on top of the Western Conference; with a win over the Pistons Wednesday night, the Pelicans have five in a row and are tied with the Suns for the top spot in the west.

Dallas had decent odds to start the season (+1400), but a poor start (9-10) has led to their odds rising. So far, the month of December has been good for them. After losing to Detroit on December 1, they’ve won three in a row to improve to two games over .500, 13-11.

However, when we are roughly 25 games into an 82-game season, it is too early to rule anyone out just yet. So, check back here often throughout the season to keep up with the latest NBA championship odds.

	Bet Now	Bet Now	Bet Now	Bet Now	Average Odds	Chance of Winning	7 Day Change	14 Day Change	21 Day Change
BOS Celtics	+300	+350	+350	+340	+335	23.04%	1.75%	4.66%	6.19%
MIL Bucks	+600	+450	+450	+480	+495	16.97%	0.37%	1.14%	0.90%
GS Warriors	+700	+800	+700	+750	+738	11.97%	-0.55%	-0.39%	-0.18%
PHO Suns	+1000	+800	+700	+700	+800	11.30%	-0.27%	-0.16%	-0.27%
LA Clippers	+800	+1000	+1000	+950	+938	9.70%	-0.74%	-2.08%	-2.13%
DEN Nuggets	+1600	+1400	+1600	+1400	+1500	6.27%	-0.29%	0.92%	0.98%
BKN Nets	+1200	+1600	+1800	+1600	+1550	6.18%	-0.20%	0.01%	0.05%
MEM Grizzlies	+1600	+2000	+1800	+2100	+1875	5.11%	0.03%	-0.03%	-0.23%
CLE Cavaliers	+2200	+1800	+2000	+1900	+1975	4.84%	0.00%	-0.07%	-0.01%
PHI 76ers	+2200	+2500	+2500	+2400	+2400	4.01%	-0.23%	-0.90%	-1.19%
DAL Mavericks	+3000	+2500	+3000	+2500	+2750	3.54%	-0.28%	-1.17%	-1.47%
NO Pelicans	+2800	+3000	+2500	+3200	+2875	3.39%	0.29%	0.31%	0.29%
MIA Heat	+3500	+2800	+3000	+2700	+3000	3.26%	-0.15%	-0.59%	-0.82%
TOR Raptors	+4500	+4000	+5000	+3600	+4275	2.32%	-0.07%	0.27%	0.08%
ATL Hawks	+5000	+4000	+5000	+4200	+4550	2.17%	0.00%	-0.12%	-0.12%
LA Lakers	+3500	+5000	+8000	+6000	+5625	1.90%	0.94%	1.04%	0.98%
POR Trail Blazers	+5500	+6600	+8000	+7000	+6775	1.48%	-0.05%	0.01%	-0.22%
MIN Timberwolves	+10000	+8000	+10000	+8000	+9000	1.11%	-0.03%	-0.97%	-1.17%
SAC Kings	+10000	+12500	+15000	+13000	+12625	0.80%	0.11%	0.11%	0.19%
CHI Bulls	+20000	+10000	+15000	+10000	+13750	0.79%	-0.04%	-0.24%	-0.48%
UTA Jazz	+15000	+20000	+25000	+21000	+20250	0.51%	-0.04%	-0.11%	-0.27%
NY Knicks	+30000	+20000	+25000	+21000	+24000	0.43%	-0.05%	-0.18%	-0.20%
WAS Wizards	+30000	+20000	+25000	+21000	+24000	0.43%	-0.01%	-0.05%	-0.04%
IND Pacers	+40000	+40000	+50000	+37000	+41750	0.24%	0.02%	0.03%	0.09%
CHA Hornets	+100000	+50000	+50000	+49000	+62250	0.18%	0.00%	-0.04%	-0.09%
OKC Thunder	+100000	+50000	–	+50000	+66667	0.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ORL Magic	+100000	+50000	+100000	+50000	+75000	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DET Pistons	+100000	+50000	+100000	+50000	+75000	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HOU Rockets	+100000	+50000	+100000	+50000	+75000	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SA Spurs	+100000	+50000	+100000	+50000	+75000	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Where Can I Bet On The NBA Championship Online?

Every online sportsbook that operates in the US will carry odds on the NBA Finals. Your ability to bet will depend on which state you live in and whether the state permits sports betting.

You are better off sticking with one of the major online sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetMGM, or Caesars for the most reliable service and competitive odds. 

But every book is not available in every state:

• DraftKings: New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Iowa, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, and Michigan
• BetMGM: Michigan, Arizona, New York, Wyoming, Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Nevada, West Virginia, Indiana, Washington D.C., Tennessee, Colorado, Iowa, and Pennsylvania
• Caesars: Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, and Michigan
• BetRivers: Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, New York, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and New Jersey (PlaySugarHouse.com)
• FanDuel: Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, and Michigan

Because the odds will be competitive no matter who you decide to bet with, it can be hard to determine which sportsbook you should bet with. That is where you can/should factor in the site’s bonus offer. 

Who is going to give you more if you bring your business to them?

DraftKings

• Welcome Bonus: Visit DraftKings Sportsbook and claim a 20% first deposit match up to $1000 + $50 free bet with $5 deposit
• Play through requirement is one of the stricter in the industry but can be met playing in the casino and DFS along with the sportsbook; for every $25 played, the user will receive $1 of bonus money
• One of the most trusted and respected sportsbooks in the US

BetMGM

• Welcome Bonus: Visit BetMGM Sportsbook and claim a risk-free bet with a max value of $1,000 using  promo code TODAY
• For bets over $50, refunds in the form of free bets get issued in 20 % increments of what you wagered.
• Free bets must be used within seven days of them being credited to your account.
• Risk-free bet not available in NY.

Caesars

• Welcome Bonus: Get up to $1,250 + 1000 Tier Credits + 1000 Reward Credits® at Caesars Sportsbook Using Promo Code: TODAYFULL
• You must make your first bet within 30 days of opening your account.
• Your account will be credited with a free bet equal in value to your first bet up to $1,250 (if you lost) and must be used within 14 days.

BetRivers

• Welcome Bonus: Use Bonus Code: SHARPRIV and claim a 2nd Chance Free Bet Up to $500
• 1X play-through requirement
• You have 30 days upon receipt of bonus money to satisfy the play-through requirement.

FanDuel

• Welcome Bonus: Visit FanDuel Sportsbook and claim a risk-free bet with a max value of $1000
• Funds from lost wager are returned as site credit and must be used within 14 days.
• 1X play-through requirement.

How NBA Championship Bettings Odds Are Calculated

Betting odds for the NBA Finals can be a little tricky, but not because they are confusing or anything. It is because there are several things you can bet on. 

There is the overall winner (futures), the outcome of each game played (point spread, moneyline, totals), and various prop bets related to the Finals (i.e., MVP, how long the series will be, and who wins, etc.).

Futures are available as early as prior to the previous season’s Finals and throughout the season. But those odds will often change once teams start making moves in free agency, because of any trades, and the draft.

In-season, the odds will change depending on how well a team is playing, how well other teams may be playing, injuries, and any in-season acquisitions (like when the Nets acquired James Harden).

Generally speaking, odds are subject to change leading up to the Finals depending on how well a team is playing, injuries, and who they are facing.

As for the spread, moneyline, and totals, those will be dependent on how well each team is playing heading into the Finals and how well they play as the Finals progress. Injuries will, of course, factor in as well.

The same can be said for the various prop bets sportsbooks will offer heading into the Finals and as they progress.

How to Bet on NBA Championship Odds

There are several ways in which you can bet on the NBA Finals such as the outcome of each game (moneyline, point spread, and totals), futures, and prop bets. 

You can’t bet on the outcome of each individual game until the moneyline, point spread, and totals are posted. For Game One it will be shortly after each participant has been decided. Odds for each subsequent game will come out after the conclusion of the previous game. 

Futures, or who is going to win the NBA Finals, is something fans can bet sometimes during the previous Finals (or shortly after). Sportsbooks usually do not waste time posting odds for the next season. 

Odds will shift throughout the year up until each conference championship is decided. Once it is down to the last two teams, betting typically shifts to the prop bets and game outcomes.

As for the prop bets, those will typically be posted when the point spread, moneyline, and totals are. Fans can usually bet on them right up until game time.

Check out our complete Guide To NBA Betting with live betting odds. 

What Is An NBA Futures Bet?

An NBA futures bet is a wager made on the outcome of a future event—like the NBA Finals. Fans can bet on the winner of the NBA Finals throughout the offseason, regular season, and playoffs. Until the matchup is set, those odds are considered futures.

Other examples include the regular season MVP, Coach of the Year, and the other awards handed out at the end of the season. Sportsbooks take bets on these as early as the previous offseason (MVP) and throughout the regular season.

What Is An NBA Finals Prop Bet?

Prop bets are bets not related to the outcome of a game or series. They are more so related to what goes on in-game. There really is not a shortage of prop bets for the NBA Finals. The Finals MVP is considered a prop bet.

Sportsbooks will have many based on player production—how many points will LeBron James score, how many rebounds will Anthony Davis have, etc. Prop bets will often be offered on team production by quarter and half as well.

Where Can I Bet On The NBA Championship In Vegas?

If you decide you want to head to Vegas to bet on the NBA Finals, your options are going to be wide open to you. Sports betting is, of course, legal in Nevada, both in-person and online. However, to bet online, you will have to register for an account in person first.

As for where to go, take your pick from one of the many casinos in Las Vegas. Just about every casino there will have a sportsbook located on the premises. If you happen to be in one that does not have one, there will probably be several that do nearby.

Because odds can vary from one book to the next, it may not be a bad idea to check out the odds in Vegas before traveling to Sin City. You can check out several websites to see what the odds are like in Vegas (i.e., VegasInsider.com, Vegas.com, etc.). You can also check some of the sportsbooks that operate in Nevada. 

Strategies For NBA Finals Betting

Everyone has their own betting strategy. Some will have more detailed, intricate plans than others, and some may have no real plan at all—and that is okay. But the basis of every strategy should involve a few basic things:

• Set limits and stick to them. 
• Stay calm and do not overreact to anything.
• Listen to your friends and the ‘experts’ all you want, but always do your own homework (which is also a must).
• If you are going to be drinking, place your bets first. That way, you can make decisions with a clear head/mind.
• Do not bet money you do not have or cannot afford to lose.

As for the NBA Finals, there are different avenues you can take, but they all involve one thing—you must do your homework. If you are going to bet on alternate lines, you will need to have as much knowledge as possible to decide how many points you can give or take.

Fading the public can be another strategy. When the public starts to bet heavily on one team, sportsbooks will adjust the odds to discourage further bets on that team and to encourage betting on the other team. It is how they protect themselves from heavy losses.

But it can also be how you hit a bigger payday.

Then there is the safe route—betting on the favorite. In four of the last five years, the winner of the NBA Finals was a preseason favorite. The only outlier was in 2019 when the Toronto Raptors won (preseason odds +1850).

NBA Championship Odds FAQ