As the Boston Celtics closed out this year's NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks to win a league-record 18th championship, oddsmakers had already saddled them with expectations that they will widen the gap on banners hung over the Lakers and everybody else.
The Celtics open as the clear betting favorites to claim the title again next season, according to 2025 NBA Finals odds at top sports betting sites.
Odds to win 2024-25 NBA Championship: Celtics vs. the field
As betting opens on the 2025 NBA Finals, no team is close to the Celtics on the futures odds board. The Denver Nuggets and Mavericks are priced next at BetMGM, and the Milwaukee Bucks are seen as the biggest threat to Boston in the Eastern Conference:
- Boston Celtics +300
- Denver Nuggets +750
- Dallas Mavericks +900
- Milwaukee Bucks +1000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +1000
- Oklahoma City Thunder +1000
- New York Knicks +1600
- Philadelphia 76ers +1600
- Los Angeles Clippers +2500
- Phoenix Suns +2500
- Golden State Warriors +3000
- Miami Heat +3500
- Los Angeles Lakers +3500
- Cleveland Cavaliers +4000
- Memphis Grizzlies +4000
- Indiana Pacers +5000
- New Orleans Pelicans +5000
- Sacramento Kings +5000
- Orlando Magic +6600
- Atlanta Hawks +10000
- Houston Rockets +12500
- San Antonio Spurs +12500
- Chicago Bulls +25000
- Brooklyn Nets +50000
- Charlotte Hornets +50000
- Detroit Pistons +50000
- Toronto Raptors +50000
- Washington Wizards +50000
- Portland Trail Blazers +50000
- Utah Jazz +50000
With Jayson Tatum expected to land the richest contract in league history via a well-earned extension this summer, the 2024-25 Celtics will run it back with most, if not all, of their key figures from this past season. Although guard Derrick White, center Al Horford and shooter Sam Hauser enter the final year of their contracts, only bigs Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are free agents.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla has already demonstrated major improvement in Year 2 and figures to be even more seasoned, while Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis should also be better after being difference-makers at both ends in their first seasons since being acquired by Boston.
Also read: 2024 NBA Finals MVP voting | Trades that led to the championship
Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavs & Thunders top challengers in the West
The Denver Nuggets, champions in 2022-23, open as the Western Conference favorite in 2025 NBA Finals odds, despite bowing out in the semifinals this season after Nikola Jokic earned his third MVP award in four seasons. There have been rumors that the organization wouldn’t mind coming out from under Michael Porter, Jr.’s massive contract if it can land them improved depth, particular since starting guards Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are entering the final years of their deals.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, defending West champion Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder are all lumped together as contenders, right behind Denver. Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the young leaders of those three teams, are all locked up long-term. Of these three teams, OKC is in the best position to add to its arsenal with Gordon Hayward’s salary coming off its books and so much draft capital built up.
If you’re thinking of making a move before the odds shift dramatically, the Thunder would probably be the West squad to target.
Bucks, 76ers, Knicks are teams to watch in the East
In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers are the team whose odds could shorten. Philly currently sits just behind the Milwaukee Bucks as third-best in the conference.
The Sixers have made no secret of their desire to add a high-profile piece like Paul George since they’re armed with cap space due to Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, DeAnthony Melton and Kyle Lowry all becoming unrestricted free agents. Tyrese Maxey will get an extension to join Joel Embiid as the centerpieces of the roster, but there will be plenty of room to add around them.
The Bucks have decisions to make on Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder, but their nucleus returns intact to put in a full season under Doc Rivers.
The Knicks are fourth in the East pecking order, odds-wise, and could make serious strides if frontcourt standouts Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy. Anunoby will test the market by declining his player option, but New York will do everything possible to keep him since the Knicks took off upon acquiring him from Toronto just before 2024 began.
Ranking: Biggest threats to Celtics' repeat
Longshots to consider for 2025 NBA Championship
Beyond the top eight, teams with question marks like the L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, L.A. Lakers and Indiana Pacers are in the mix. The next steps for George, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell and Klay Thompson will play large roles in the futures of these teams.
Memphis, New Orleans, Sacramento, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston are in the next batch of teams looming as attractive longshots. After injuries took out the Grizzlies, the hope is that Ja Morant and Desmond Bane will return driven to thrive. Zion Williamson made strides but saw another season end prematurely due in part to an ill-timed frustrating hamstring strain, while the Magic and Hawks are each eyeing offseason tweaks to try and take their next steps, with Thompson being rumored to be interested in making a cross-country move, breaking up the Splash Brothers and ending an era in the Bay Area.
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