The Thunder only dropped slightly after their NBA Cup championship loss
The Celtics have an implied 33.3 percent chance
The Bucks and Nuggets are climbing
The 2024-25 NBA season isn’t anywhere close to halfway over and oddsmakers have already got the race for the upcoming NBA championship down to somewhat of a two-horse race.
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are strong favorites to win their respective conferences and to meet in the Finals, based on NBA championship odds.
The Thunder had a chance at hardware on Tuesday but dropped the In-Season Tournament trophy to the Milwaukee Bucks, who surged in NBA Finals odds following the win.
Here, we will take a look at odds to win the NBA Finals, the top contenders, dark horses, and more.
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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Boston is among the league leaders in offensive and defensive rating and creates a mathematical advantage with its dominance of the three-point line on both ends of the court. Kristaps Porzingis’ return to action means they now have someone who can easily exploit mismatches on defensive switches, which means that opposing defenses have their hands tied trying to chase them around on the perimeter.
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.
Speaking of high-powered offenses, 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.
Overlook the Mavericks at your own peril. They are outstanding on both sides, have a backcourt tandem that can take over any game at a moment’s notice, and are hungry after they lost to the Celtics in the Finals last year. They go deep off the bench unlike years past and can excel at any pace or in any style of game.
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.
Don’t forget about the Suns just because of the recent injuries they suffered. They are taking and making many more threes than they did last year, move the ball with purpose and fervor, and have a newfound defensive focus that even Frank Vogel couldn’t implement. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant can get as hot as anybody in the world and will be terrifying to face in the playoffs.
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
2025 NBA Championship FAQs
Do the NBA Champions Receive a Prize?
NBA champions do not receive a traditional monetary prize for winning the NBA Finals. Instead, they are awarded the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy, a prestigious and symbolic honor. This trophy represents the team's victory and achievement as the NBA champions for that particular season.
While there is no cash prize for winning the NBA Finals, the players, coaches, and other team personnel receive championship rings commemorating their victory.
Additionally, winning the NBA Finals can benefit the players and the team. Players may receive bonuses as part of their contracts for reaching and winning the Finals, on top of those presented to the players from additional television revenues for participating in the postseason. However, the primary reward for winning the NBA Finals is the honor, recognition, and prestige of being crowned the NBA champions.
What Is the Larry O’Brien Trophy?
The Larry O'Brien Trophy is awarded to the team that wins the NBA Finals—named after Larry O'Brien, the league commissioner from 1975 to 1984.
The trophy is made of sterling silver and measures about 2 feet tall, featuring a basketball on top of a hoop. It weighs approximately 14.5 pounds. Each year, the NBA champions are presented with the Larry O'Brien Trophy following their title-clinching game to symbolize their achievement and victory in the National Basketball Association.
What Are NBA Championship Rings?
NBA Championship Rings are commemorative jewelry pieces presented to the winning members of the Championship team. They are customized for each team, featuring logos, accomplishments, player numbers, and more to make the piece unique to each player.
The rings are distributed to members of the NBA Champions during the first home game of the following season. Players who have joined a new team have their ring delivered or presented to them during their first return match against their Championship squad.
Who Were the First NBA Champions?
The first NBA Champions were the Philadelphia Warriors. In the National Basketball Association's (NBA) inaugural season in 1946-1947, the Philadelphia Warriors emerged as the champions by defeating the Chicago Stags in a five-game series. The Warriors were led by notable players such as Joe Fulks and coach Eddie Gottlieb.
Which NBA team Has Won the Most Championships?
The Boston Celtics have the most championships in NBA history, with eighteen.
Which NBA Franchise Was Fastest to an NBA Championship?
The team to win the NBA Championship fastest was the Milwaukee Bucks. Founded in 1968-1969, the Bucks won their first NBA Championship after the 1970-71 season.
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the San Francisco Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Baltimore Bullets en route to their first NBA title.
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Grant is a sports and sports betting journalist who prides himself on delivering breaking news and insightful analyses of the industry. Grant graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021 and is feverishly pursuing his ambitions in the sports betting field.
In his free time, Grant can be found passionately watching sports, doing a workout, or searching for adventure with his friends.
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