We are a few weeks away until the chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy begins! Seeding for the 2025 NBA Playoffs and 2025 NBA Playoff Projections are both now taking their final shape. The odds show how the betting public does not have much confidence outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Lets take a closer look at the favorites along with some possible upsets.
2025 Championship Betting Lines – What the Numbers Say
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+175) – The team is riding a 10-Game Winning streak and a 14.5 game stranglehold on the Western Conference.
- Boston Celtics (+185) – Last year’s champions sit four games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Regardless they remain the favorite to emerge as conference Champions.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (+500) – Currently boasting a 60-15 record but is only 5-5 in their last 10.
This is where the NBA Odds get interesting. Take a look at the significant gap between the Cavs and the next grouping of teams. For those willing to place a wager on a team outside of the big three, the payout can be significant. However, the early 2024-25 NBA Championship betting lines are not reflecting much confidence outside of Oklahoma City, Boston & Cleveland.
- Denver Nuggets (+1400)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+1400)
- Golden State Warriors (+1600)
- New York Knicks (+3000)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+6000)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+6000)
- Indiana Pacers (+10000)
Eastern Conference: Will The Boston Celtics Get Dethroned?
Perhaps the Boston Celtics will be taken down. The better question to ask is if the Cleveland Cavaliers can knock off the Boston Celtics. The reason for this is because no other team will be able to do so! The tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a force and will be around for years to come.
All arguments for Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are welcomed.
Those who feel that the team with the 3rd best NBA finals odds from the Eastern Conference can compete, we are advising you to proceed with caution. The New York Knicks are unreliable. The NYK will be a better team with the return with of Jalen Brunson. However, let’s take a look at how the Knicks faired with Brunson when playing against the best of the Eastern Conference:
- OCT 22 @ Boston (L) 132-109
- OCT 28 Vs Cleveland (L) 110-104
- FEB 8 Vs Boston (L) 131-104
- FEB 21 @ Cleveland (L) 142-105
- FEB 23 @ Boston (L) 118-105
The New York Knicks have lost all games against Boston and Cleveland by an average of 21 points. Not necessarily the resume of a conference champion. Until proven otherwise, Boston remains the team to beat in the East!
Western Conference: Can Anyone Knock Off OKC?
Basketball content creators are already weighing in on this topic with plenty of speculation. With the NBA regular season still unfolding, numerous variables could come into play, keeping the discussion both dynamic and unpredictable.. Injuries can happen and we are not looking to put a hex on stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his league leading 33 PTS per game. Barring any major setbacks, the Oklahoma City Thunder have positioned themselves as a formidable contender in the Western Conference, with no team yet proving capable of dethroning them.
For those placing NBA Finals bets you can see that there is a huge difference between betting OKC at +175 and the #2 team (Denver Nuggets) at +1400. The LeBron James & Luka Doncic storyline will generate some buzz. The fantasy of Playoff Jimmy Butler teaming up with the old Warriors like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green is interesting. However, they may not have the endurance necessary to justify a serious wager.
2025 NBA Playoff Projections: Looking Ahead to the Ultimate Showdown
Choosing the favorites when making championship picks can often feel uninspiring, especially when they align with widespread predictions. Exploring alternative selections with longer odds can add excitement and uncover overlooked contenders..
- Denver Nuggets +200 to surpass the Houston Rockets and claim the #2 seed in the Western Conference.
- You can still get the Chicago Bulls at +310 to make the NBA Playoffs
Have fun watching the remainder of the regular season and enjoy the upcoming playoff season!
