The Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics are leading the way as favorites to win the NBA title this season, with +180 and +190 odds, respectively, according to ESPN BET. The Los Angeles Lakers, following their acquisition of Luka Doncic, have garnered significant betting interest despite being listed at +1300 for the 2025 NBA Finals, ranking fourth on the odds board.
The Lakers have attracted a substantial amount of betting action, with 16.7% of bets and 19.5% of handle at ESPN BET. ESPN BET's director of North American sports trading noted that the Lakers have become a significant liability for the sportsbook, with a surge in betting support since the Luka trade. The Cleveland Cavaliers, with the third-best odds at +575, are also in the mix after finishing the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Other notable contenders include the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons, who have seen their odds improve throughout the season.