Every Team's Odds to Win the NBA Championship Entering the Postseason
By Peter Dewey
The NBA postseason is set!
After a thrilling final week that saw a ton of different playoff scenarios finally get decided, we have the final seeding set up entering the play-in tournament.
While there are still four first-round matchups that have yet to be decided, the odds to win the NBA Finals can give us some insight into who oddsmakers expect to advance through the play-in tournament, and who has the best chance to win it all.
The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are the respective favorites in their conferences, but are their teams that are undervalued -- or that we should target -- before the play-in begins on Tuesday?
Here's a break down the standings, latest NBA Finals odds and a promo to bet on the NBA playoffs this season!
NBA Finals Odds for Every Team in the Postseason
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Eastern Conference Playoff Standings
Seed | Team | First Round Matchup/Play-In Matchup |
|---|---|---|
1 | Boston Celtics | Winner of No. 8 seed in play-in tournament |
2 | New York Knicks | Winner of MIA vs. PHI |
3 | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers |
4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Orlando Magic |
5 | Orlando Magic | Cleveland Cavaliers |
6 | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks |
7* | Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Heat |
8* | Miami Heat | Philadelphia 76ers |
9* | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
10* | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls |
*subject to change based on play-in tournament results
Western Conference Playoff Standings
Seed | Team | First Round/Play-In Matchup |
|---|---|---|
1 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Winner of No. 8 seed in play-in tournament |
2 | Denver Nuggets | Winner of LAL vs. NOP |
3 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Phoenix Suns |
4 | Los Angeles Clippers | Dallas Mavericks |
5 | Dallas Mavericks | Los Angeles Clippers |
6 | Phoenix Suns | Minnesota Timberwolves |
7* | New Orleans Pelicans | Los Angeles Lakers |
8* | Los Angeles Lakers | New Orleans Pelicans |
9* | Sacramento Kings | Golden State Warriors |
10* | Golden State Warriors | Sacramento Kings |
*subject to change based on play-in tournament results
Boston Celtics Heavily Favored to Win NBA Finals
Boston is +190 at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the NBA Finals, by far the shortest odds of any team in the postseason.
Only Boston and Denver have shorter odds than +1200 to win it all, and it makes sense given Boston's dominance over the Eastern Conference this season. Still, the C's could be looking at a first-round matchup with either the Miami Heat or the Philadelphia 76ers, who are the current No. 7 vs. No. 8 seeds in the play-in tournament.
That would make Boston's path a little tougher, but the team avoided a potential matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks -- who nearly slipped into the No. 4 seed on Sunday -- in the second round. Given the Eastern Conference's lack of elite contenders, it makes sense Boston is a heavy favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers Have Best Finals Odds Among Play-In Teams
Out of the eight teams in the play-in tournament, the Philadelphia 76ers (+1900) have the best odds to win the NBA Finals.
Could this be a view of disrespect for the New York Knicks, who Philly would face if it wins No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game?
It's quite possible, and oddsmakers are clearly high on this team with Joel Embiid back in action. With Embiid in the lineup this season, Philly is an impressive 31-8. It is just 16-27 without him.
New York Knicks Disrespected in Latest NBA Finals Odds
Despite earning the No. 2 seed in the East, the New York Knicks aren't getting much love from oddsmakers in the futures market.
New York won't have Julius Randle (out for the season with a shoulder injury), but he missed 36 games from Jan. 27 through the end of the season and the Knicks still earned a top-two spot. In fact, New York didn't have Mitchell Robinson for 51 games and OG Anunoby for 27 games yet it still won 50 games.
The Knicks (+3300) have the same odds as the No. 8-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who haven't even earned a playoff spot yet, which is shocking given the team's standing in the East. It's possible oddsmakers are expecting a Sixers upset of New York in the first round.
Denver Nuggets Heavily Favored to Come Out of West
Denver sits at +300 to win the NBA Finals, by far the best odds out of the West. The Los Angeles Clippers (+1200) are second behind Denver.
The defending champs blew a game on Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs which cost it the No. 1 seed, but the Nuggets are still in the No. 2 spot and primed to make a deep playoff run with the core that won a title in 2023.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.