At BetMGM, bettors appear willing to assume that risk, given the upside the team has presented this season. The Clippers account for 6. If the season ended today, all three teams would be in the Play-In Tournament.

Last year, they became the first No. This year, the Heat have focused on reshaping their roster, working in rookie guard Jaime Jaquez Steph Curry turns 36 in March, and Klay Thompson is transitioning into more of a role player. But Jonathan Kuminga is emerging as a key piece in San Francisco, averaging The Warriors are even reported to have taken a shot at a LeBron trade at the deadline.

Golden State is since Jan. NBA championships are notoriously difficult for young teams to win, with many bettors correctly observing that most teams have to lose several times before they can learn how to win — if they ever do. Minnesota and OKC both lie outside of this top grouping of established contenders.

However, both teams have only captured 3. In other words, the big odds adjustments are a reaction to their play on the court and positioning in the playoff conversation, not necessarily a rush of betting action.

Despite the fact that Minnesota has led the Western Conference for most of the season, very few bettors are interested in Timberwolves tickets. Basketball betting is always available at the online sportsbook! Are you a diehard NBA fan?

Or are you seeking college basketball betting opportunities? In addition to futures like national championship odds, you can build parlays, bet on moneylines, and more. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos. Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else.

He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Boston Celtics Denver Nuggets. Share This Share. Odds to Win NBA Championship, Who Won the NBA Finals? The Celtics are now anchored by star forward Jayson Tatum, and they came close to Championship territory again, losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Founded in as the New Jersey Americans, the Nets franchise has undergone many facelifts over the years. The Nets relocated to Brooklyn in and immediately became contenders through building a roster of young talent.

The Nets have had promising players Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving come and go from their roster, but they're expected to be competitive in the Eastern Conference for years to come. The Knicks are one of the oldest and most iconic franchises in the NBA, established through the Basketball Association of America in The s are generally considered the golden era for the Knicks, having been led by the legendary Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Bill Bradley.

The team experienced its most significant success during this time, securing two NBA championships in and Although New York hasn't seen a championship since then, the Knicks remain one of the most beloved and followed teams in the NBA.

Despite challenges in recent decades, their passionate fan base and storied history continue to be celebrated in both the NBA and sporting world as a whole.

The 76ers were founded in , eventually becoming one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. Led by Wilt Chamberlain, the team won their second NBA championship in A few years later, in , the 76ers won their third NBA championship thanks to a formidable lineup including Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks.

In fact, the 76ers boast some of the strongest NBA alumni across the league, having been home to legendary players like Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley for the majority of their careers. In recent years, the team underwent a rebuilding phase, which has since paid off.

Through tough defence and crafty play, the 76ers have returned to prominence as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. With a roster led by star center Joel Embiid, the team aspires to bring Philadelphia their first NBA trophy in almost fifty years. The Raptors are Canada's only NBA team, established alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies now relocated to Memphis in as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada.

Carter's high-flying dunks and scoring prowess helped the Raptors achieve their first-ever playoff appearance in , garnering widespread attention and support that helped keep the NBA in Toronto. After Carter's departure, the team earned their first Atlantic Division title in , subsequently going through an extensive rebuilding phase that culminated in the acquisition of Kyle Lowry in Under the guidance of president Masai Ujiri and coach Nick Nurse, the Raptors achieved their greatest success in the season.

The team, led by Kawhi Leonard, made history by winning their first-ever NBA championship, defeating the two-time defending Golden State Warriors in a six-game series. The Atlantic Division has been around since the inception of the league in From the Celtics' unparalleled 17 NBA championships to the 76ers' memorable title run in , the Atlantic Division has seen fierce rivalries, legendary players, and historic moments that have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Over the years, the division has showcased intense competition and captivating matchups, making it a cornerstone of the NBA's legacy and shaping the course of basketball history. The Milwaukee Bucks need to get their act together with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and new-look Indiana Pacers after acquiring Pascal Siakam hot on their tail in the Central Division.

The Central Division was established during the NBA season as part of the league's expansion and realignment efforts. It currently houses the Chicago Bulls , the Cleveland Cavaliers , the Detroit Pistons , the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Established in as an expansion franchise, the Bucks quickly found success under their first-ever draft pick, Lew Alcindor later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , who became one of the greatest players in NBA history. In , only their third season in the league, the Bucks clinched an NBA Championship victory, establishing their place in basketball lore.

The season marked a historic moment for the Bucks as they secured their second NBA championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, solidifying his status as a generational talent, if not the second-best to ever play in Milwaukee.

Having won the Central Division four years in a row, the Bucks are a massive threat for years to come. Founded in , the Cavaliers struggled out of the gate — rough performance and shoddy ownership decisions paved the way for a game losing streak in the 80s, the second-worst in NBA history.

Thankfully, the tides turned with the NBA Draft, using their first overall pick to select LeBron James, a native of Ohio and a once-in-a-generation talent. With LeBron leading the way, the Cavaliers reached new heights and made their first NBA Finals appearance in In an unforgettable media event , LeBron left the Cavs in in favor of the Miami Heat.

The team's fortunes changed once more when he returned in , leading the Cavaliers to four straight conference titles and their first-ever NBA championship in , overcoming an unprecedented deficit against the Golden State Warriors.

The Bulls were established in , with a historic legacy that makes them one of the most iconic franchises in the league. Led by the legendary Michael Jordan, Chicago became a dominant force in the s, achieving six NBA championships throughout the decade , Under the guidance of head coach Phil Jackson, Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman all future Hall of Famers formed an unstoppable trio that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Throughout their history, the Bulls have seen other notable players grace their roster, such as Derrick Rose, who became the youngest MVP in , Zach LaVine, and Jimmy Butler.

After years of rebuilding, the Bulls have formed a roster of young talent and reliable vets, still searching for their first Jordan-less NBA title.

The Pacers transitioned into the NBA after the ABA-NBA Merger, when they continued to be a formidable force. Despite facing perennial contenders like the Chicago Bulls in the s, the Pacers consistently made deep playoff runs.

Their rivalry with the New York Knicks — and artist Spike Lee — during this period remains legendary. Dependable stars like Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo are leading the modern-day Pacers, fighting for their first divisional title since Founded in as a semi-professional team from Fort Wayne, Michigan, the franchise joined the NBA in , adopting the Pistons name with a move to the Motor City in in The franchise rose to prominence in the late s and early s during the infamous "Bad Boys" era, led by Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and coached by Chuck Daly.

The Pistons employed a rugged and defensive-minded playing style that earned them back-to-back NBA championships in and In , the team captured its third NBA championship with a hard-fought victory over the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, epitomizing the Pistons' resilient spirit.

Founded in , the Central division has been highly competitive, boasting several iconic players and teams that have left a lasting impact on the league, including Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls of the s and the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons of the late s.

The Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder are trading spots atop the Northwest Division on a nightly basis, making betting on an overall winner beyond a tedious task. Denver has the slight mental edge as the winners last year en route to becoming NBA champions, but the Timberwolves' defense and surprise regular season are a fun pick to dethrone them this go around, at least in the division.

The NBA Northwest Division is one of the six divisions in the Western Conference, featuring a host of teams that make it the most geographically diverse division in the league.

It includes five teams: the Denver Nuggets , Portland Trail Blazers , Utah Jazz , Oklahoma City Thunder , and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Founded in , the Nuggets joined the league in after the ABA-NBA merger. Following their arrival, they qualified for playoffs for nine seasons in 80s but failed to take home a title.

Recently, the Nuggets re-emerged as a formidable force in the NBA's Western Conference. Led by star center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have showcased their versatility and offensive prowess, earning multiple playoff berths and becoming a tough contender for the championship.

Eventually, Jokic and the Nugs broke through, winning the franchise's first NBA Title in Founded in as an expansion team, the Blazers quickly made their mark in the NBA. Led by the legendary Bill Walton, they achieved their greatest triumph in by winning their first and only NBA championship.

From to , the team would make the playoffs every year, a streak of 21 appearances that is currently tied for the second-most in NBA history.

The team has a rich tradition of talented players, including Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Damian Lillard and Brandon Roy. Lillard has been an essential piece of their modern-day squad, an elite shotmaker with undying loyalty to seeing a championship brought to the city of Portland. Established in as the New Orleans Jazz, the team moved to Utah in Led by Hall of Famers like Karl Malone and John Stockton, the Jazz became perennial contenders in the s, making back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in and In recent times, the Jazz have had a number of triumphs and disappointments — securing a number of divisional titles in the early s and late s, they were ultimately unable to reach the conference finals.

Armed with young depth and a new head coach under Will Hardy, the Jazz are searching for the right tune to find themselves back in NBA title contention.

Established in as the Seattle SuperSonics a team with a rich history in its own right , the squad moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder in , making them the newest franchise in the NBA. Led by superstar Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder quickly emerged as a powerhouse in the Western Conference, reaching the NBA Finals in Though they fell short of a championship, the team began a rebuild and is now on the verge of contention with rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm.

The Timberwolves were founded in as an expansion team and have a history marked by promising moments and repeated challenges. Led by superstar Kevin Garnett, they experienced success in the late s and early s, making eight consecutive playoff appearances.

However, in recent years, the team has faced difficulties and has been working towards rebuilding with talented young players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, showing potential for a bright future.

The NBA created the Northwest Division in as part of its realignment plan to balance out the league's structure and accommodate expansion teams. Geographically, the division includes teams located in the northwestern region of the United States, making it a logical grouping for teams based in Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.

Even while sharing a division with Sacramento, the Los Angeles Clippers are acting as the true Kings of the Pacific Division with a three-game lead over their competitors. The Pacific Division has historically been one of the most dominant divisions in the league — in the past ten years, eight of the Western Conference Champions have been members of the Pacific.

Led by powerhouses like the Los Angeles Lakers , Golden State Warriors , and Los Angeles Clippers , this division boasts a rich legacy of success, championships, and dynasty-style teams. While the Lakers, Warriors and Clippers steal the spotlight, the division also houses the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns , contenders in their own right.

The Lakers trace their roots back to when they were established as the Minneapolis Lakers. After joining the NBA, the Lakers would quickly win six Championships championships and relocate themselves to Los Angeles.

Reaching six NBA Finals in the 60s, the Lakers lost every title to the Boston Celtics, but their golden age was still ahead of them. During the s "Showtime" era, under the leadership of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers secured five championships in the decade and solidified their place as one of the league's premier teams.

The arrival of Kobe Bryant in marked a new era for the team, as he, along with Shaquille O'Neal, led the Lakers to a three-peat from to Recently, the Lakers acquired LeBron James in , further cementing their status as a powerhouse franchise.

The Lakers and Celtics are tied for the most NBA Titles with apiece, fuelling an ongoing rivalry. The Los Angeles Clippers' history has been characterized by ups and downs since the franchise's founding as the Buffalo Braves in Throughout the s and early s, the team experienced limited success, often living under the shadow of their fellow Los Angeles team, the Lakers.

The Clippers' fortunes began to change in the s. With the acquisition of star players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, the team achieved newfound success, making several appearances in the playoffs and winning two divisional titles.

With an elite selection of stars like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers of today have emerged as a prominent force in the league and a worthy adversary in the competitive Western Conference.

The Warriors, originally founded in as the Philadelphia Warriors, have a rich and eventful history in the NBA. After winning two championships in Philadelphia, the team relocated to San Francisco in and adopted the Golden State name. The Warriors made their mark on NBA history in the s, setting themselves up for a legendary playoff streak.

With the emergence of their "Splash Brothers," Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, along with Draymond Green, the team established a dominant, high-scoring style of play. Under the guidance of coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors secured four NBA championships in , , and , earning widespread recognition as one of the most formidable and entertaining teams in the league.

The Suns were established in as an expansion team, carving a unique path in NBA history. Led by future Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson, the Suns achieved their second Finals appearance in , ultimately lost to the Chicago Bulls.

The Suns experienced a resurgence in the s with the "Seven Seconds or Less" era, featuring Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion. Although an NBA title has remained elusive, the Phoenix Suns have consistently been a competitive franchise, with superstars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant leading the charge.

The Kings, having been originally founded in , are the oldest franchise in NBA history. After jumping around from New York, Kansas City and Cincinnati before moving to Sacramento in the s. Led by stars like Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Peja Stojaković, Sacramento experienced a golden era in the late s and early s.

They became known as the "Kings of the Cowbell" and were a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. During the season, the Kings reached the Western Conference Finals, losing a seven-game series against the Lakers. Despite challenging seasons since, the Kings remain a beloved franchise with passionate and enduring fans, aiming to recapture the success of their glory days.

The NBA Pacific Division, established in as part of the league's expansion, comprises some of the most iconic and successful franchises in NBA history. No other division comes close to the Pacific's 19 NBA Titles, and with a legacy of star-studded rosters and memorable moments, this division continues to enthrall basketball fans around the world.

The Heat and Magic are in a slugfest for the top spot in the Southeast Division, as a mere two games separate the two. Miami maintains the top spot after having missed Jimmy Butler for several games, but considering the narrow gap, Orlando provides much greater value to emerge first.

Established in , the NBA Southeast Division is the newest of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference. It houses the Atlanta Hawks , Charlotte Hornets , Miami Heat , Orlando Magic , and Washington Wizards.

The Hawks' history dates back to when they were founded as the Buffalo Bisons in the National Basketball League NBL. Over the years, the franchise underwent several name changes and relocations before settling in Atlanta in The Hawks have had periods of moderate success, including the late s and early s when they were based in St.

Louis and made multiple NBA Finals appearances, winning their only championship in Powered by a young superstar in Trae Young and dependable veterans like Bogdan Bogdanovic, the modern-day Hawks have begun to make a name for themselves, winning the Southeast Division in and The Hornets were established in as an expansion team.

During the early s, the Hornets experienced significant success, making multiple playoff appearances while gaining popularity for their iconic teal and purple color scheme, along with an enthusiastic fan base. Financial challenges led to the team's relocation to New Orleans in , but a new expansion team was later awarded to Charlotte in , branded as the Charlotte Bobcats.

In , New Orleans and Charlotte agreed to bring back the Hornets' name, re-establishing the original franchise at the beginning of the season. The Hornets have failed to secure a divisional or conference title in their lifetime, but rising stars like LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are looking to bring some sting back to Charlotte.

Similar to the Hornets, the Heat joined the NBA as an expansion team in In the late s and early s, the team saw moderate success — significant achievements began in when they won their first NBA Championship, led by superstar Dwyane Wade and center Shaquille O'Neal.

The Heat further solidified their status as an elite franchise by acquiring LeBron James and Chris Bosh in , forming the "Big Three" alongside Wade to win back-to-back championships in and Miami returned to form in and , winning the Eastern Conference but ultimately falling short in both NBA Finals.

The Magic was founded as an expansion franchise in In the early s, the Magic quickly rose to prominence behind the talent of young stars Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, making their first NBA Finals appearance in The team experienced further success in the mids with the emergence of Dwight Howard, leading the Magic to the NBA Finals again in Up until , when they claimed a divisional title, the Magic went through several rebuilding phases.

Backed by a deep roster of young players, Orlando looks to build off their recent success in the coming years. The Wizards, originally known as the Chicago Packers, joined the NBA in as an expansion team.

They relocated to Baltimore in and became the Baltimore Bullets, before returning to Washington, D. The NBA's Southeast Division was created as part of the league's realignment plan during the - season.

The realignment aimed to create balanced and geographically coherent divisions, grouping together teams that were located in the southeastern region of the United States.

Interestingly, the only team to move conferences during this time was the New Orleans Hornets, with their original hometown of Charlotte taking their place. Dallas possesses the most starpower and has an MVP candidate in Luka Doncic, yet New Orleans is deeper and far stronger defensively.

Fly with the Pelicans until further notice. It consists of the Dallas Mavericks , Houston Rockets , Memphis Grizzlies , New Orleans Pelicans , and the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks began playing in the NBA during the season as an expansion history. Throughout their history, the Mavericks have had periods of both struggle and success, relying on star players and Dallas fans to propel them forward.

The Mavs achieved their greatest triumph in , when they won their first and only NBA Championship. The franchise has been known for fostering a strong basketball culture, consistently producing competitive teams, and maintaining a loyal fan base.

The Rockets joined the NBA in as an expansion team, originally based in San Diego. Led by legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets experienced their golden era in the mids, securing back-to-back NBA Championships in and In the mids, the team saw itself claim a number of divisional titles from to , powered by one of the best shooters in the league, James Harden.

The Grizzlies have ramped up their success since relocating from Vancouver to Memphis in In their early years, the team struggled to succeed, but gradually built a competitive roster. During the season, they reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, led by their core of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

In , the arrival of the second-overall rookie Ja Morant lifted spirits in the Grizzlies camp — they began focusing the team around him, eventually leading them to their first division titles in and The Grizzlies have consistently been a playoff contender in the competitive Western Conference, and have earned a reputation for their hard-nosed defensive style of play.

In , they underwent a rebranding and became the New Orleans Pelicans, adopting the state bird as their mascot. Over the years, the Pelicans have been home to talented players like Anthony Davis and Chris Paul.

One of the organization's greatest achievements was winning the first overall pick in the NBA Draft to select Zion Williamson, a highly talented and promising forward with immense potential.

Using their young star as a cornerstone, the team has building their depth and continually searching for their first divisional and conference titles. Founded in as the Dallas Chaparrals, the team later moved to San Antonio in and became the Spurs.

Under the guidance of coach Gregg Popovich, and with defining on-the-court leadership of players like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, the Spurs achieved greatness throughout the late s and s.

The Spurs won five NBA Championships in , , , , and , establishing themselves as one of the league's premier franchises. The NBA Southwest Division format was established during the NBA season as a part of the league's realignment plan.

It was created to evenly distribute teams among the divisions and facilitate a more balanced schedule for the Western Conference teams.

October 24th: Start of the —24 NBA Regular Season November 3rd: NBA In-Season Tournament begins December 9th: NBA In-Season Tournament Championship January 11th: NBA Paris Game, Brooklyn Nets vs.

Cleveland Cavaliers February 8th: NBA Trade Deadline February 8th: NBA All-Star break April 14th: The NBA Regular Season ends April rd: NBA Play-In Tournament May 12th: NBA Draft Lottery June 6th: NBA Finals begin June 27th: NBA Draft.

What Line Moves Can Tell Us. For example, one of the most popular options available allows NBA fans to wager on which team will win the NBA Championship. While those NBA Championship futures take in the most volume of bets and money at sportsbooks online, there are plenty of other opportunities in the NBA to select a future winner.

Betting on NBA futures also allows basketball fans to wager on which teams will win their respective divisions, with options for the Eastern and Western conference champions as well. There are a bunch of other fun prop bets within NBA futures wagering, such as which player will win NBA MVP, be Rookie of the Year, or who win individual awards like Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man, and Most Improved.

The NBA championship is typically decided every June in a best-of-seven series also known as the NBA Finals. Odds for potential title winners are released at the end of the current NBA season and will move up and down following relevant NBA news or developments.

If the Milwaukee Bucks are tearing it up and sitting near the top of the power rankings, their odds will improve — failing teams will see the reverse, with their odds dropping. There are also trades to take into consideration, as well as free-agent signings, coaching changes and off-the-court issues.

Line movement in the NBA is constant, and there are always new storylines to follow, so be sure to get your NBA futures bet placed when the odds are at their best.