2025 NBA Finals Odds Report, Trends: Everything You Need To Know

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

NBA Finals for 2024-25 have been percolating for a few months, since the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in last season's championship series. And bookmakers slightly favor a repeat title as the season begins.

Boston sits atop odds to win the NBA Finals, with the Oklahoma City Thunder close behind. Then the New York Knicks check in as the No. 3 choice.

Here's everything you need to know about 2024-25 NBA Finals odds: action, line movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

2025 NBA Finals Odds

Back for More

No surprise, the Boston Celtics are +300 favorites in BetMGM's NBA championship futures odds. The Celtics beat Dallas 4-1 in last season's NBA Finals to nab their 18th championship.

Boston plowed through the postseason with a 16-3 SU mark. And early bettors in this season's NBA Finals odds market are rightly impressed.

"The Celtics are our most-bet team in terms of both tickets and handle," BetMGM trader Hal Egeland said. "We’re still in a good position with them being so short, though."

Try our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code!

Despite their runner-up finish last season, the Mavericks are the +1200 co-sixth choice at BetMGM.

"The Mavs are our fifth-most bet team in tickets and ninth in handle. That’s solid interest for the Mavericks, in my opinion, since we aren’t live in Texas," Egeland said. "But I don’t think the betting public views them in the upper tier of teams.

"If you were to take a guess on the eight teams ahead of the Mavericks in terms of handle, you’d likely get most, if not all, correct."

Thunder Rumbling, Knicks Knocking

The Oklahoma City Thunder made it to the West semis last season, bowing out to Dallas in six games. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. made a firm impression on oddsmakers.

OKC opened as the +950 co-third choice in BetMGM's 2025 NBA Finals odds. The Thunder are now the +500 solo second choice, trailing only Boston.

"The Thunder, who are not always viewed as a public team, are our third-most-bet team in terms of handle and fourth in tickets," Egeland said. "The hype behind the Thunder is warranted, in my opinion. They’re the most complete team in the West, and the only doubt I have is their youth.

"They were an awesome team last year and made fantastic additions. SGA will likely be in the MVP conversation all year, the perimeter defense is outstanding, Chet Holmgren is a year older."

Those factors and more have Egeland believing in OKC.

"If you can’t tell, I’m extremely high on the Thunder. The West is very competitive, but I’d be surprised if they finish outside of the top three seeds." 

The New York Knicks made a big preseason move, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Back in June, New York opened +1600 to win the title. Now, the Knicks are the +800 third choice.

"I don’t think the Knicks need much of an explanation. We’ll always take a good amount of action on the Knicks," Egeland said, noting that New York, like OKC, has more tickets and money than Dallas. "With the run the Knicks made in the postseason and the additions they made in the offseason, it’s no surprise they’re fourth in terms of handle."

However, Egeland said Knicks backers in NBA futures odds might need to be patient.

"I think the Knicks may take a bit to get going due to the roster turnover. But once the playoffs come around, I anticipate they’ll be a force to be reckoned with," he said. "I do think DiVincenzo is a big loss, but KAT is a ceiling-raiser.

"If he fits with their system, they’ll probably be the toughest matchup for the Celtics in the playoffs."

Tickets, Money, Liability

In ticket count, the Celtics, Nuggets and Lakers are Nos. 1-2-3, respectively, in BetMGM's odds to win the NBA Finals. As noted above, Boston is also No. 1 in money, followed by Minnesota and Oklahoma City.

Risk-room concern is similar to previous years.

"Stop me if you’ve heard this before: We’ll be cheering against the Lakers and Warriors," Egeland said. "The Timberwolves wouldn’t be great for us either, but a lot can change throughout the season. But the Lakers and Warriors aren’t going anywhere at the top of our liabilities."

Use our DraftKings promo code this NBA season!

Los Angeles opened +2500 and has already slid out to +4000. Golden State made a similar move, opening +2500 and now at +3500.

On the flip side, a few outcomes are just fine with BetMGM.

"In terms of teams with a legitimate chance, we’d love anyone in the East other than the Knicks. If the Magic or Cavs can make a run, that would be great for us," Egeland said. "In the West, we’d actually like the Grizzlies to return to form. I thought the Grizzlies would take more action with the return of their stars, but bettors are staying away."

Orlando opened +5000 and is now +4000, while Cleveland has gone from +5000 to +3500. Memphis has slightly adjusted, from +4000 to +3500.

Flying Under the Radar

Egeland pointed to two teams that might be worth an early-season look: the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets. Milwaukee opened as the +1000 co-fifth choice with Minnesota, and the Bucks are now the +1400 eighth choice.

"Some may say the Bucks are old, some may say they’re experienced. Most importantly, though, they have Giannis Antetokounmpo," Egeland said. "There are a lot of very talented players in the league. But there are stretches when Giannis is the most dominant player in the league."

Houston opened a distant +10000 (100/1) and is now +8000.

"The Rockets are admittedly a long shot. But where's the fun in giving out all the best teams in the league?" Egeland said. "Houston has been active in trade markets recently and was apparently looking to add a superstar.

"They may have a couple eventual stars in Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. But they have assets to trade if an established superstar becomes available."

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson