LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its championship may be the genuine NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the wagering cash gathering on those groups is any sign.
Of the top seven potential NBA champions that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the only Eastern Conference group that the book would not be happy see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"Seemingly, we're just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," stated Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading technique supervisor.
Western Conference groups have actually won 3 of the previous 4 championships, with Boston in 2024 the exception.
The top two favorites at BetMGM are protecting champ Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.
"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But as of now, they're actually among our finest results. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a big liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a great deal of Nuggets money. We're reside in Colorado, and personally, I think they're going to be an excellent group too."
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to get around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, 2nd from right, as he trails behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on throughout the first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that exact same type of patterns.
"The Nuggets, clearly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite always two of our biggest liabilities. Just popular groups for individuals to bank on."
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he expects this NBA season to end like last season.
"I believe Oklahoma City's plainly the team to beat," Marshall said. "They have actually got excellent depth and even with a couple of cutting edge injuries, they can get over them. They're wearing a larger target this year. I think they're going to be much the very same as a year back."
The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to catch the award once again.
But, he has business.
Denver's Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic are next at each 3-1. Jokic is a three-time MVP. Doncic has actually never ever gotten the award, however he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with LeBron James missing out on the very first part of the season because of sciatica.
Voters tend to choose to offer the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award recently or at all.
"That's constantly the thing with awards," Egeland said. "It doesn't always go to who had the finest season. You have to price it as if you're opting for who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he should've won in 2015."
Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.
"I personally think Jokic should be the favorite," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he most likely must've won last year, however I do think SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good year, I had no issue with him winning, but I think there's sort of a prevailing thought that he won due to the fact that the team's record was so great."
Marshall stated he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to discuss the win overalls.
The Magic were especially intriguing to him.
"I think this is the group that might be ready to remove," Marshall said. "They had a lot of injury issues last year. ... They still made the playoffs."
He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), anticipating those team to go under. Marshall stated health concerns were a concern for all three clubs.
The Lakers are 16-1 to win the championship and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.
Both teams face their share of concerns.
For the Lakers, it James' health along with whether this will be his last season. The NBA is examining whether the Clippers violated the income cap relating to a recommendation offer for Kawhi Leonard.
"I think the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, even more than the Lakers, due to the fact that of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His schedule, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's contract, will that be an interruption? I don't know.
"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm practically persuaded this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, however that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) last year. They just out-athleted them all over."
Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the leading choice in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even lists him in minus area at -225.
The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.
While acknowledging Flagg should have to be the preferred, Marshall also tempered expectations.
"I ´ m not truly sure how much of an impact Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall said. "I think Dallas is not a hazard this year. I simply don ´ t see it with them, and I put on ´ t believe Flagg is going to be the super star everybody thinks."
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) looks on during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doni (77) shoots between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) throughout the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives versus Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)