Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs as favorites to win the NBA championship, and have done nothing to dissuade the betting public so far after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies.
Following the Thunder out West are the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers in an odds tier ranging from 18-1 to 25 to 1 to win the Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, all of whom are trailing their series, round out the remaining Western contenders.
The Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, and they have the second-best odds to take home the NBA title, which would be their second consecutive and 19th overall in franchise history. They are up 3-1 in their opening-round series with the Orlando Magic. The Cleveland Cavaliers, up 3-0, have the next-best odds to represent the East in the Finals, followed by the New York Knicks, up 2-1 on the Detroit Pistons who, along with the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Magic, are considered long shots at 60-1 odds or longer.
Early favorites for Finals MVP include Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, with 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, a surging Anthony Edwards and the ever-present Stephen Curry behind them. A full list of MVP candidate odds follows below.
Resources: Daily Lines | Where to watch | NBA Playoff Bracket
Odds accurate as of publication. For latest and most complete odds go to ESPN BET
NBA Finals MVP favorites
The NBA Finals MVP Award recognizes the player deemed most valuable to his team in the NBA Finals only.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +165
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +270
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: +650
Jaylen Brown, Celtics: 20-1
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: 25-1
Stephen Curry, Warriors: 25-1
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: 30-1
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: 33-1
Darius Garland, Cavaliers: 40-1
Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics: 40-1
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: 40-1
Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 50-1
Jalen Williams, Thunder: 50-1
LeBron James, Lakers: 50-1
Luka Doncic, Lakers: 50-1
Derrick White, Celtics: 66-1
Chet Holmgren, Thunder: 75-1
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: 75-1
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: 100-1
James Harden, Clippers: 125-1
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: 200-1
Jamal Murray, Nuggets: 200-1
Pascal Siakam, Pacers: 200-1
Alperen Sengun, Rockets: 250-1
Draymond Green, Warriors: 250-1
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers: 250-1
Jrue Holiday, Celtics: 250-1
Amen Thompson, Rockets: 500-1
Jalen Green, Rockets: 500-1