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Let’s discuss our 2025 NBA Championship picks while determining if any team can dethrone the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics are the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA championship this upcoming season. For the first time in several years, experts have reached a strong consensus on this.
Last season, the Celtics clinched their league-record 18th title after defeating the Dallas Mavericks. They defeated the Mavs in a five-game NBA Finals series.
They dominated with a combined 80-21 record across the regular and postseason.
Before we examine the 2025 NBA Finals Odds, be sure to check out the best NBA Basketball Betting Sites.
2025 NBA Championship Odds
| To Win 2025 NBA Championship |  |  |  |
| Boston Celtics | +300 | +320 | +315 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +600 | +650 | +550 |
| New York Knicks | +750 | +800 | +750 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +900 | +900 | +800 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +1100 | +1000 | +1200 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Phoenix Suns | +2500 | +2500 | +2800 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +2800 | +4000 | +3500 |
| Golden State Warriors | +3300 | +3300 | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +3300 | +3300 | +2500 |
Boston Celtics
It’s easy to see why the Celtics are overwhelming favorites for the 2025 NBA Championship.
Unlike most champions who typically lose key players in the following offseason, the Celtics have retained nearly the same roster for their title defense. The top 11 players in minutes played per game from last season are set to return for the 2024-25 campaign.
With a strong roster, including key players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, the Celtics are poised to compete for more titles.
The wait is over.
It's time to raise Banner 18 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/9V1cvrJ5j5
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 22, 2024
Despite Porzingis’ injury, which will keep him out for four months, the team is still expected to perform well.
While they face tough competition from the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are confident in their ability to maintain their status as the reigning champs.
The best odds on the Celtics repeating as champions is +320 odds which is an implied probability of 23%.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The top contender to prevent the Celtics from repeating is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last season, the Thunder achieved the best record in the Western Conference despite having the youngest team in the league.
They successfully selected several promising players in the draft. They also had a standout MVP contender in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team.
OKC’s aggressive drive-and-kick style enabled them to play disruptive defense and set up efficient scoring opportunities near the rim and beyond the three-point line.
Your 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder ⚡️#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/8SICzZQv1X
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 22, 2024
Jalen Williams notably displayed remarkable progression and development. In addition the Thunder have emerging talents like Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe. They all made significant contributions to the team’s rotation.
Adding to their successes, OKC made impactful moves in the summer by signing Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Caruso, a former First-Team All-Defense member, aligns with their defensive approach, while Hartenstein’s skill set, particularly his rebounding ability, addresses a key area of improvement for the team.
The best odds for backing the OKC Thunder are +650 to win it all an implied probability of 13%.
Philadelphia Sixers
Joel Embiid has announced that he will be taking regular “rest” periods and will not participate in back-to-back games during the regular season.
This decision has sparked debates about his ability to handle the physicality of the 90s. However, many agree that it’s a wise plan for a player who has been considered the best in the world for the past two years when healthy.
As for newcomer Paul George, despite concerns about being past his prime, he achieved a career-best 41.3 percent from three-point range last year.
#MadeForThis pic.twitter.com/9Fpi2PLyI4
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 21, 2024
With the support of Embiid and newly-crowned star guard Tyrese Maxey, he is expected to face the least amount of defensive pressure in his NBA career.
The Sixers have rounded out their rotation with experienced players like Caleb Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry. All players have extensive playoff experience and are known for making crucial plays when needed.
The best odds for backing the Sixers is +900 odds. The implied probability of the Sixers dethroning the Celtics is 10%.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks not being favored to win the Finals isn’t a knock on their ability. It’s more a reflection of the tough competition in the Western Conference.
The doubts about whether the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving duo could thrive on the court have been quickly dispelled. Both superstar ball-handlers have found their groove in their respective roles without diminishing each other’s strengths.
The road to the Finals will be challenging for any team in the West due to the level of parity in the conference. Dallas aimed to improve its outside shooting, to provide more support for the Doncic-Irving duo.
During Dallas’ 22-game playoff sprint, they were two of only three players on the roster to average 10 or more points.
Adding Klay Thompson, one of the greatest shooters of all time, will significantly enhance the team’s playoff performance. He should bring a new dimension to the Mavericks’ offense, which already ranked seventh in the league with 113.3 points per 100 possessions.
Added another one to the rafters ⭐#MFFL pic.twitter.com/P4grjAATmh
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 22, 2024
However, recent history doesn’t favor the Mavericks’ chances, as no team in the West has competed in consecutive Finals since the Golden State Warriors’ five-year streak from 2015 through 2019.
The odds on the Mavericks dethroning the Celtics in a Finals rematch is +1000 at every sportsbook.
Denver Nuggets
Some oddsmakers still consider Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets the best team in the west. The Minnesota Timberwolves were able to knock out them out in a classic 7-game series, ending their quest for back-to-back titles.
This belief is supported by the fact that Denver’s core players, including Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, are all under contract.
Which Nuggets jerseys do you have in your collection 🧵 #NBAJerseyDay pic.twitter.com/qC59TLdnhI
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 21, 2024
However, the Nuggets suffered a setback in the offseason with the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Pope was the team’s best guard defender. They’ve since acquired Russell Westbrook as his replacement.
Can the Nuggets return to the NBA Finals and become champs once again? Picking the Nuggets to win the 2025 NBA Championship is +1000 odds at Bovada.
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