The NBA playoffs are set to begin and the reigning champion Boston Celtics are not the odds on favor to win the 2025 title.
The Thunder (+165) are slightly ahead of the the Celtics (+180), per the odds at HardRock Bet in South Florida and the majority of books around the United States.
The Celtics signals that the the competition in the East could be more fierce this postseason than it was last and the Cavaliers lead the list of teams that are looking to deny Boston from back-to-back Eastern Conference championship and NBA Finals crowns.
Cleveland (+575) has distanced itself in the odds standings from other so-called contenders in the East. The Knicks, at +2500, have the third best odds among Eastern Conference teams, though it’s hard to take Karl-Anthony Towns & Co. as serious contenders.
More Notes on 2025 NBA Championship Odds
- The Warriors are decent-sized favorites to advance past the Rockets at -200 and their +1300 championship odds (fifth-best) suggests that the team is viewed as a real threat to deliver another title to Northern California after showing promise following the Jimmy Butler trade.
- Oddsmakers have a rosier outlook for the James Harden‘s squad to win the title (+2500) than the Nikola Jokic‘s (+3000) despite the two teams each being listed at -110. This suggests that while Denver and Los Angeles are evenly matched, oddsmakers believe the Clippers have a better chance to win four straight series – if – they advance past the Nuggets vs. what the Nuggets’ chances would be at winning four straight series – if – they advance past the Clippers.
- While this piece is being written before the Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat’s final play-in game, +50000 odds for the Miami are even with the Magic, who clinched the seventh seed earlier in the play-in tournament. Should the Heat beat the Hawks, expect their odds to surpass the Pistons’ odds, which are listed at +25000.
Full List of 2025 NBA Championship Odds
- Thunder: +165
- Celtics: +180
- Cavaliers: +575
- Lakers: +1000
- Warriors: +1300
- Knicks: +2500
- Clippers: + 2500
- Nuggets: +3000
- Timberwolves: +6000
- Pacers: +7500
- Rockets: +7500
- Bucks: +7500
- Pistons: +25000
- Magic: +50000
- Heat: +50000
- Grizzlies: +50000
- Hawks: +100000
- Mavericks: +100000
Lakers Enter Playoffs With Better Odds Than All But NBA Three Teams
It wouldn’t be a full championship odds preview without specifically mentioning the Lakers.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic faces a tough matchup in the first-round, battling the Timberwolves.
Here’s what ChatGPT spits out when you ask it about what the Lakers chances’ of winning the 2025 NBA Championship are:
Key Factors Influencing Their Title Chances
Health and Depth: The Lakers’ success heavily depends on the health of LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Additionally, the team’s depth, particularly in the frontcourt, will be crucial in sustaining their playoff run.
Defensive Adjustments: While the Lakers’ offense has been potent, their defense will need to match up against other top teams in the West, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
Playoff Experience: With veterans like LeBron James and emerging stars like Dončić, the Lakers possess a blend of experience and youthful energy that can be pivotal in high-pressure playoff scenarios.
