NBA Championship Odds, Predictions & Picks 2025: Thunder Almost on Top, Nuggets Back in Top Five

• The Celtics are about to fall out of first place for the first time

• The Mavericks are hanging strong despite injuries

• The Grizzlies and Bucks lead the chase pack

The race for the 2024-25 NBA championship is officially in full force with the calendar turning ahead to the New Year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s outstanding performances have almost allowed them to usurp the Boston Celtics for the first time all year. Meanwhile, two recent champions, the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks, are making headway, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are in freefall.

Here’s where the odds to win the NBA Finals stand.

2025 NBA Championship Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Head over to FanDuel to place your bets on the NBA Championship: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

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2025 NBA Championship Pick

• My Pick: Boston Celtics (+220) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Boston epitomizes modern basketball with their unrelenting three-point shooting and ability to defend all levels of the court. They have the most versatile defensive lineup in the sport, are great off the bench, and are committed to the philosophies of their coach. They also have the experience of winning a championship last year, but both of their star players are motivated after tumultuous offseasons.

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2025 NBA Finals Favorites

Boston Celtics (+200) at FanDuel

• Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla 

• Key Player: Jayson Tatum

• Player to Watch: Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics combine all of the elements of modern basketball, including size and length, defensive versatility, individual creation, and three-point shooting, into one beautiful orchestra. They live and die by the three, but their ability to defend the perimeter means that they usually live. Kristaps Porzingis’ return to the lineup also allows for easier exploitation of mismatches.

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Oklahoma City Thunder (+350) at FanDuel

• Head Coach: Mark Daigneault 

• Key Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

• Player to Watch: Jalen Williams

OKC is the best defensive team in the sport and is winning games despite losing starting center Chet Holmgren to an injury. Isaiah Hartenstein has provided them with an interior presence they desperately needed, while they managed to post the best net rating in the sport despite shooting significantly worse from three than they did a year ago. The team is young, but they have chemistry and belief in one another and are slowly coming of age.

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Cleveland Cavaliers (+750) at FanDuel

• Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson

• Key Player: Donovan Mitchell

• Player to Watch: Darius Garland

The Cavs’ record-setting start has seen them find success on the back of their offense rather than their defense, which is a stark contrast to last year. Atkinson took a bunch of players who seemingly were not needle-movers and blended them into one of the most cohesive units in the league that generates great offense, plays for one another, and is almost always on the same page. Their defensive pieces also mean they have untapped potential in slower playoff series.

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New York Knicks (+1400) at FanDuel

• Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau

• Key Player: Jalen Brunson

• Player to Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns

What the Knicks have done this season is nothing short of astounding. Their combination of physicality, athleticism, shot creation, spot shooting, and slashing makes them nearly impossible to defend, as evidenced by them leading the league in offensive efficiency. The defense is still a major work in progress, but that won’t be an issue if they always outscore their opponents.

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Denver Nuggets (+1600) at FanDuel

• Head Coach: Michael Malone

• Key Player: Nikola Jokic

• Player to Watch: Michael Porter Jr.

The Nuggets are heavily reliant on the brilliance of Nikola Jokic every time they take the court. They have a weak defense and a terrible bench, both of which are strong indications of future postseason struggles. That said, they have the best player in the world, and Jamal Murray played at an all-time level the last time Denver went on a run to the NBA Finals.

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2025 NBA Finals Dark Horse Picks

Dallas Mavericks (+1800) at FanDuel

The Mavs fell out of the top five in odds due to Luka Doncic’s injury, which means that they can now officially be labeled as a dark horse. Doncic’s injury could be a blessing in the long run since he will be more rested for the playoffs, where he’ll rejoin a team that was ranked in the top seven in offense and defense at the time of his injury. The Mavs have a deep roster with tremendous versatility and potency and will be a tough out for anyone. 

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Who Won the 2024 NBA Championship?

The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals over the Dallas Mavericks 4-1. The C’s did not lose more than one game in any of their playoff series and brought back their entire starting five, along with important bench contributors such as Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. 

The title was Boston’s first since 2008 and broke a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in NBA history.

Who Won the 2024 NBA Finals MVP?

Jaylen Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP after he averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals on 44 percent field goal shooting. Brown received seven of 11 first-place votes, while Jayson Tatum (22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists) received four.

Which NBA Teams Have Not Won the Finals?

10 of the NBA’s 30 franchises never won an NBA Finals trophy. The list of teams includes the following:

• Brooklyn Nets

• Charlotte Hornets

• Indiana Pacers

• Los Angeles Clippers

• Memphis Grizzlies

• Minnesota Timberwolves

• New Orleans Pelicans

• Orlando Magic

• Phoenix Suns

• Utah Jazz