2025-26 NBA Finals Odds: Thunder Pulling Away as Favorite
NBA championship odds for the 2025-26 season are getting more attention, as the regular season nears the new year. The Oklahoma City Thunder, coming off their first title, are a growing favorite to repeat as champs.
Following OKC in odds to win the NBA Finals are the Denver Nuggets. Beyond those two, no other team is shorter than 11/1 at the moment.
Below are current 2025-26 NBA Finals odds from an array of sportsbooks, including bet365, followed by oddsmaker insights through three weeks. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action on 2026 NBA futures odds.
(Feature image credit: Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
Nba Champion Odds
| Time | Bet365 | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | HardRock | RiversCasino | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |  › |  › |  › |  › |  › |  › |  › | |
| +100 | +120 | +110 | +100 | -115 | +100 | -110 | ||
| +700 | +750 | +600 | +600 | +900 | +700 | +700 | ||
| +1200 | +1200 | +1000 | +1200 | +1300 | +1000 | +1200 | ||
| +1200 | +1300 | +1300 | +1100 | +1100 | +1300 | +1200 | ||
| +1400 | +1400 | +1500 | +1300 | +2000 | +1300 | +1400 | ||
| +2200 | +2000 | +1800 | +1800 | +2200 | +2000 | +2500 | ||
| +2200 | +2200 | +3000 | +1800 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | ||
| +3300 | +3500 | +3000 | +2800 | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 | ||
| +2500 | +2000 | +3000 | +3000 | +1900 | +1400 | +2500 | ||
| +3300 | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 | +4000 | +3000 | +3000 | ||
| +3300 | +3000 | +3500 | +2800 | +4500 | +2500 | +3000 | ||
| +3300 | +3500 | +3500 | +4500 | +3500 | +3000 | +3000 | ||
|
| ||||||||
2026 NBA Finals Odds
Thunder Rumbling
LATEST UPDATE: The Oklahoma City Thunder went a ridiculous 24-1 through 25 games this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. opened the season on an 8-0 run before their first loss, then went on a 16-game winning streak.
Finally, in their 26th game, the Thunder suffered loss No. 2 in a 111-109 setback vs. the Spurs. Through games of Dec. 18, Oklahoma City is 25-2.
BetMGM opened OKC as the +240 favorite in 2025-26 NBA Finals odds, a rather short price. As the season began, the Thunder were out a touch to +260. As of Dec. 3, with the win streak at 13, the Thunder were +240 again.
But now, Oklahoma City is nearing minus-price territory, as +110 chalk.
"I think the obvious comparison in terms of regular-season NBA teams is the 2015-2018 years of the Warriors," BetMGM senior trader Hal Egeland said. "Some quick research shows the Warriors opening up as minus favorites in the 2016 and 2017 preseasons.
"As dominant as the Thunder have been, I don't think general consensus has them rated as highly as those teams, particularly that first year with Kevin Durant, and I agree with that."
But OKC is certainly worth mentioning in that kind of rarified air.
"There's no denying the current Thunder dominance," Egeland said. " The construction of the team is far superior to everyone else in the league, and I don't think it's particularly close.
"As great as SGA is, if he was to go down with an injury, I still think this Thunder team is a top 3-5 team in terms of outright odds."
The Denver Nuggets (20-6) are the closest pursuer as the +700 second choice, after opening +1600 and getting as short as +525 heading into this season.
As noted above, no other team is shorter than +1100. The Houston Rockets (16-8) sit at that number, followed by the New York Knicks (19-7) at +1300 and Los Angeles Lakers (19-7) at +1400.
Then there's a gap to the co-sixth choice Cleveland Cavaliers (15-13) at +2000, along with the Detroit Pistons (21-6).
The top five in ticket count in BetMGM's NBA championship odds:
- Nuggets
- Thunder
- Lakers
- Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs (+3500)
And the top five in money in BetMGM's NBA Finals futures odds:
- Thunder
- Nuggets
- Lakers
- Spurs
- Golden State Warriors (+2500)
The Thunder are slightly behind Denver in tickets, but are lapping the Nuggets in money, taking more than twice as many dollars.
"We're definitely still seeing interest in the Thunder," Egeland said. "We're a relatively small winner on them due to the short price, but it's not scaring bettors away.
"There will be a decent chunk of parlay liability on the Thunder, as well. They're a popular pick for some long-term parlay action."
More Trending Teams
The Knicks and Spurs (19-7) met in the final of the NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament. New York won 124-113 in Las Vegas on Dec. 13, but both teams' success is leading to more attention in NBA futures odds.
"We've seen an NBA Cup bump in our Finals markets. The Thunder are the most bet team in December by a pretty significant margin, but No. 2 is the Knicks and No. 3 is the Spurs, in bets and handle," Egeland said.
Interestingly, BetMGM's worst outcomes in 2025-26 NBA Finals odds aren't the usual.
"In a rare occurrence, the Lakers or Warriors don't take the top spot in liability for us," Egeland said. "That belongs to the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs. They're actually our biggest liability by a decent amount."
The Spurs are the +2200 eighth choice in BetMGM's NBA championship odds, in slightly from their opening price of +2500 back in June. But as recently as Dec. 10, San Antonio was +3500.
The Lakers opened +1500 and, as noted above, are now +1400. Golden State (13-15) opened and is currently +3000.
"We still won't be cheering on the Warriors or Lakers of course. They're the next-two worst results for us, among teams with a realistic chance."
And who would BetMGM like to see lift the trophy next June?
"We would love the Magic or Cavs to take home the title. But we would be happy with the Knicks or Rockets, among teams toward the top of our odds board."
Flying Under the Radar
The Minnesota Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals each of the past two seasons. But with a 17-10 mark so far this season, Anthony Edwards & Co. are out to +3000 in BetMGM's 2026 NBA Finals odds.
Egeland believes that price might be worth a look.
"If I were to call out a team that isn't really taking a ton of action, that I feel has an outside shot, it would have to be the Timberwolves," Egeland said. "This is somewhat of a trend, where they don't get the credit they deserve early on, and then they're a feared team come playoff time."
Opening Odds to win 2025-26 NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champions and opened as the +240 betting choice to repeat as champions. Below are BetMGM's opening odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals.
- Oklahoma City Thunder +240
- New York Knicks +900
- Cleveland Cavaliers +1000
- Indiana Pacers +1300
- Houston Rockets +1300
- Orlando Magic +1400
- Minnesota Timberwolves +1400
- Los Angeles Lakers +1500
- Denver Nuggets +1600
- Boston Celtics +1800
- San Antonio Spurs +1800
- Golden State Warriors +2500
- Philadelphia 76ers +3500
- Dallas Mavericks +3500
- Los Angeles Clippers +3500
- Detroit Pistons +5000
- Milwaukee Bucks +8000
- Miami Heat +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies +15000
- Toronto Raptors +20000
- Atlanta Hawks +25000
- New Orleans Pelicans +25000
- Phoenix Suns +30000
- Sacramento Kings +30000
- Brooklyn Nets +50000
- Chicago Bulls +50000
- Portland Trail Blazers +50000
- Charlotte Hornets +100000
- Washington Wizards +100000
- Utah Jazz +100000
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How To Bet On NBA Futures
Betting on the NBA is widely popular in the United States and the NBA Futures Odds market continues to cater to both novice and professional bettors. The NBA championship is decided very June with a best-of-seven matchup known as the NBA Finals.
This Future Odds market is open year-round and the oddsmakers will adjust their numbers when trades, injuries, free agent signings, or other changes affect the NBA championship odds. The opening odds come out at the end of the current season or just after it ends, with NBA Future Odds posted on all 30 teams in the league.
For extra value betting on NBA games, use our BetMGM bonus code and get bonus bets as a new user welcome.
Betting on NBA Futures may not always provide big payouts due to the nature of the league, where dynasties are often created by player movement in free agency. However, betting on the right team early can provide better results, as seen in 2019 when the Toronto Raptors won with +1850 odds to win the NBA championship in August 2018. Compare that to the +750 odds the Raptors had in December 2018 and you can see how the NBA Futures odds could offer less value as the season progresses and the player talent is on display.
The NBA championship futures betting market takes in the most volume of wagers and money at sportsbooks. But there are other wagering opportunities in the NBA Futures market, including conference and division winners.
Sportsbooks also offer up NBA futures odds on specific player awards, usually just for Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. These wagers are a little tricky since those bets and their results are based off subjectivity. Both awards are determined by votes from sports writers and we all know that everybody has an opinion.
Where Can I Bet On The 2025 NBA Championship?
There are several legal sportsbook options in the United States. One sportsbook that we are particularly excited about is Fanatics Sportsbook. Be sure to check out our review and take a look at their NBA betting options!
What Types Of Bets Can I Make ON The NBA?
In addition to betting on how teams will finish in the NBA playoffs, there are multiple angles you can bet on individual games. Check out our NBA Las Vegas odds page for the standard betting odds on each game.
Where Can I Learn How To Bet On Basketball?
To learn more about betting on basketball, check out our basketball betting tutorial.
Remember, you can also bet the NBA finals with the bet365 bonus code!
