NBA Finals Betting Odds: Win Big on the NBA Finals

So, you’re thinking of betting on the NBA Finals, eh? Well, get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride full of twists, turns, and some of the best basketball you’ll ever witness.

The NBA Finals are the culmination of the entire season, where the best teams in the league duke it out for the ultimate prize: the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But let’s face it, you’re not just here for the love of the game - you’re here to win big, and we’re here to help. 

In this mini-guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the most popular markets and betting types, as well as some juicy prop bets and MVP odds.

NBA Finals betting is one of the most popular forms of sports betting in North America, offering a variety of ways to bet on the NBA, from the classic cross-sport markets such as Moneyline, Over/Under (Totals), and Spreads, to the more specific NBA markets such as player points scored, player rebounds, or player assists.

• Moneyline - First up, we have the moneyline market. This is the easiest bet you can make, where all you need to do is try and predict which of the two teams will win the game.
  
  For example, let’s say the Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Memphis Grizzlies, and you think the Lakers will win, you place a bet on the Lakers’ moneyline. If the Lakers end up winning the game, you win your bet!
  
  
• Point Spread - Next, we have the point spread market. This is where the oddsmaker gives one team a handicap, in order to level the playing field.
  
  For instance, if the Cleveland Cavaliers are favoured to win against the New York Knicks by 4.5 points, and you bet on the Cavs to cover the spread, they would need to win by at least 5 points in order for you to win your bet. Alternatively, if you bet on the Knicks to cover the spread, they can lose the game by up to 4 points and you’ll still win your bet.
  
  
• Over/Under (Totals) - The final major market we’re going to look at is the totals market, also known as the over/under market. Basically, this is when you wager on how many total points will be scored between the two teams playing, ultimately attempting to predict whether it will be over or under a certain number.
  
  For example, if the over/under for the Clippers-Suns game is set at 215.5 points, and you bet on the over, the total score of both teams needs to be 216 points or higher for you to have a winning bet. If the total score is 215 or lower, you lose your bet.

NBA Finals Prop Bets

Another incredibly popular NBA Finals betting market is the prop bets market, which is where you place wagers on specific events that occur during the NBA Finals, such as which player will score the most points or how many rebounds a particular player will grab.

You might even see more specific prop bets like which player will score the first basket in Game 1 or which team will win the tip-off in Game 2. These bets can be a ton of fun and help to make the game more exciting.

NBA Finals MVP

The NBA Finals MVP is awarded to the player who has the most impact on the championship series, and betting on who will win this prestigious award is an extremely popular and profitable market. 

Typically, the MVP goes to a player on the winning team, but there have been instances where a player on the losing team has won it (Jerry West circa 1969). When betting on the NBA Finals MVP, it’s important to consider a player’s performance throughout the entire series, rather than just one game.

NBA Finals Odds

Understanding NBA championship odds is crucial when it comes to betting on the NBA Finals. This is because odds are used to determine the potential payout of a bet, with higher odds indicating a greater payout but a lower likelihood of winning.

For example, if the NBA Finals betting odds for the Sacramento Kings to win are +300, that means a $100 bet would pay out $300 if they win the title. Conversely, if the odds for the Denver Nuggets to win the NBA Finals are -150, that means you would need to bet $150 to win $100.

The NBA Finals - where basketball’s elite collide in a battle for supremacy. Only one team will rise to the top and claim the title of NBA champion.

It’s a time when even casual fans turn into armchair experts, picking apart matchups and predicting outcomes with an air of confidence. And of course, what’s the NBA Finals without a little friendly wagering? 

However, before you put down any money, there are a few tips and strategies you should keep in your back pocket to help you make more successful and educated wagers. Let’s take a look! 

1. Research, research, research! - When it comes to NBA playoffs betting, doing your research is absolutely crucial. This means studying the teams’ recent form, analyzing their head-to-head matchups, and checking for any injuries or suspensions that may affect the outcome of the game. 
2. Look beyond the favourites - While it may be tempting to always bet on the favourite, keep in mind that it’s not unusual for the underdog to pull off an upset in the playoffs, even in a more predictive sport like the NBA. For example, both the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are considered underdogs in their respective first-round matchups in the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. However, the Lakers and Warriors each have bonafide superstars with substantial championship experience while the Grizzlies and Kings do not. Simply put, you can always find potential value in the underdogs and should therefore never be afraid to take a chance on them if you feel they have a serious shot of winning the game or series.
3. Consider the home-court advantage - Believe it or not, a team with a home-court advantage can gain a significant boost in the NBA playoffs. Teams that play at home often have a higher chance of winning, as they have the support of their home fans and are familiar with their own court. You can use this information to your advantage in situations where the home team might be considered the “underdog” but carry an elite record when playing at home. For instance, the Golden State Warriors had one of the best home records of any team in the NBA this season going 33-8, but also had one of the worst away records of 11-30. Basically, the Warriors won three times as many games at home as they did on the road, so despite them being underdogs in the series, you might be able to find value for them to keep the games close or maybe even win outright when they play in their own arena. 
4. Watch out for momentum shifts - Everybody knows that basketball is a game of runs and momentum can shift quickly from one team to another. Teams can get up or down in a matter of minutes and it’s not always clear who has the advantage from the jump. This is why you should keep an eye out for these momentum swings and be ready to adjust your bets accordingly. 
5. Don’t forget about prop bets - I can’t tell you how many casual bettors I see restrict themselves by just sticking to the traditional markets like moneyline and point spread. While these can offer immense value depending on the matchup, prop bets can be a fun way to add some excitement to your NBA Finals betting experience, and they might even offer higher payouts as well. Personally, some of my greatest moments have come from betting on individual player performances rather than traditional bet types as it’s generally easier to predict how a particular player will perform rather than the team as a whole or what the final outcome of the game will look like. 
6. Shop around for the best odds - Just like with any other type of sports betting, it’s paramount to shop around for the best NBA Finals betting odds before placing any wagers. Remember that while sports betting sites will generally cover the same markets with similar NBA Finals odds, sportsbooks compete with one another by offering alternative spreads to popular betting markets. So, you should always set aside some time to compare NBA championship odds across different sportsbooks to ensure that you are getting the best value for all of your bets.
7. Follow the line movement - As with regular-season NBA betting, line movement is essential when it comes to NBA Finals betting. Remember that the odds and lines are constantly changing in response to the betting action that the sportsbook is receiving. So, as more people place bets on a certain team or player, the odds and lines for that market will become less favourable, making it less attractive for future bettors to wager on them. On the other hand, if there is less betting activity on a specific team, the odds and lines for that team may become more favourable, which could make it a more attractive betting option. Therefore, make sure you follow how the odds are shifting leading up to the match and consider adjusting your bets accordingly.  
8. Be mindful of scheduling - Scheduling can be a significant factor in the NBA playoffs as well, especially when teams are playing multiple games in a short period of time. You should look for teams that may be fatigued or suffering from injuries due to the gruelling playoff schedule. Similarly, teams may be more motivated to win certain games, particularly those against conference rivals or crucial “win-or-go-home” games late in a playoff series, which can subsequently impact their performance on the court. 
9. Keep your emotions in check - Let’s be honest, when you love sports as much as I do, it’s easy to let emotions creep in and cloud your judgement when betting on a game. Unfortunately, however, this can quickly lead you to make irrational decisions that are not backed up by any sense of logic or research, and in turn, experience more losing bets. For example, if you’re on a losing streak or have recently experienced a big win, you might feel more desperate to win back your losses and place larger bets than usual or on riskier plays. This is why it is so important to not let your personal biases or fandom get in the way and always bet with your head, not your heart.

If you’re looking to bet on the NBA Finals, you’re in the right place. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best betting sites out there, and we’re ready to share our findings with you.

But we’re not just going to list a bunch of names - we’ll also break down what each site is best for and give you our honest opinion. So, without further do, let’s dive in!

It’s NBA playoff time, and the odds are in! Who will take home the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season?

At the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks, who ended their 50-year championship drought in 2021 thanks to the legendary performance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, were the top seed in the Eastern Conference and favoured to go to the NBA Finals. That is until they ran into Jimmy Butler and the battle-tested Miami Heat in the first round, who knocked the Bucks out of the playoffs in just 5 games. 

Check out the updated odds to find out who are the favourites to win the NBA championship trophy.

Welcome to the greatest show on hardwood - the NBA Finals! This annual championship series is where the best of the best battle it out in a best-of-seven series to determine who will be crowned the kings of basketball.

The NBA Finals have been around since 1947, and it’s safe to say they’ve come a long way since. From the days of George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers to MJ and the Bulls, we’ve seen legends come and go and dynasties rise and fall. Taking all of this into account, it’s time to dive a little bit into the history of the NBA Finals.

Past NBA Championship Winners

The past 10 years of NBA Finals have been nothing short of electrifying, filled with heartbreaks, underdogs, and dynasties. The Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors are just a few of the teams that have made it to the top of the basketball world in recent years. In fact, the Warriors alone have managed to secure four NBA championships in the last decade, cementing their status as one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. And let’s not forget about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who broke the city’s 52-year championship drought in 2016, thanks to the heroics of none other than “The King”, LeBron James. 

NBA Teams with the Most Championships

Like any other sport, basketball is a game of winning and losing, but some teams seem to have mastered the art of winning. We’re talking about the dynasties, the teams that rack up championship after championship, leaving the rest of the league in awe. In the world of professional basketball, there are a few franchises that stand head and shoulders above the rest, with a legacy of winning that spans decades. So, now let us officially review the NBA teams with the most titles in league history.

NBA Teams That Have Never Won a Championship

Let’s be honest, it’s not easy being an NBA team without an NBA championship. Sure, you rack up some playoff appearances and maybe even take a trip or two to the Finals, but at the end of the day, it’s all for naught if you can’t bring home the hardware. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the following list of teams has been trying to do for years.

These teams have been knocking on the door of glory for what seems like an eternity, but every time they get close, the door slams shut in their face. Now, it’s time for the top five NBA teams with the most playoff appearances and no championship to show for it.

NBA Trends

Amidst all the excitement of the NBA playoffs, there are some common trends and facts that have emerged over the years. For instance, did you know that the team with home-court advantage has won the NBA Finals over 70% of the time? Or that the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have faced off against each other in the Finals a whopping 12 times? Let’s take a look at some more trends you can use to help fuel your NBA Finals betting experience. 

• No team that lost the first three games of a series has ever come back to win that series.
• No eight-seed team has forced a Game 7 in the last decade.
• An Eastern Conference team has won the NBA Finals only eight times in the last 22 seasons.
• Six of the last 15 series have been won by worse-seeded teams that had an equal or better record in the second half of the season.
• Since 2000, every NBA champion has had at least one All-Star player on their roster except for one (2003-04 Detroit Pistons).
• The NBA Finals MVP has been won by a player on the winning team in each of the last 52 seasons.
• Since 2004-05, the team that wins the first game of the series goes on to win the entire series 77% of the time.
• In the NBA Finals, the team with the higher seed has won the championship 60 times out of 74 seasons.
• In the 2 vs. 7 matchups, top seeds have won every series since 2015.
• No worse-seeded team has ever won a series when there are more than 10 regular season wins separating the two teams.

Past NBA Finals MVP Winners

The MVPs of the NBA Finals are the players who have proved that they can perform under pressure and lead their team to victory. These are the stars who have shone the brightest on the biggest stage, and who have etched their names into the annals of basketball history. From Kawhi Leonard’s unforgettable run in “The Six” to LeBron James’ epic performances in 2013, join us as we take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the players who have risen above the rest to claim the title of NBA Finals MVP. 

Ah, the NBA Finals, where champions are made and legends are born. This annual best-of-seven series is a showdown between the Eastern and Western Conference winners, as they battle it out on the hardwood for the coveted title of NBA Champion. 

The series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team holding the home-court advantage hosting the first, second, fifth, and seventh games in their arena. The stakes are high, the pressure is intense, and the drama is always off the charts!

Over the years, the NBA Finals have been graced by some of the greatest basketball players of all time and helped to craft a handful of others. From former legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to current superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry. 

Since its inception in 1947, the NBA Finals have become one of the most iconic events in professional sports. The first Finals saw the Philadelphia Warriors triumph over the Chicago Stags in a thrilling five-game series. The next decade was dominated by the Boston Celtics, who went on a historic run between 1957 and 1969, winning 11 titles in just 13 seasons. 

And of course, we all remember the 90s when Jordan and the Chicago Bulls claimed six championships in just eight years. The era of MJ alone turned the NBA Finals into a global sensation, captivating audiences around the globe.