As the 2024-25 NBA season marches towards the playoffs, all eyes are on which team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June. According to the latest odds, the defending champion Boston Celtics are favored to repeat, but a hungry pack of contenders stand in their way.
Celtics Aim To Cement Dynasty Status
Fresh off their 18th championship in franchise history, the Celtics enter the postseason as the odds-on favorite at +255 to go back-to-back. Led by the All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston looks primed for another deep run.
“This team just has that championship DNA,” an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN. “Until someone knocks them off, they have to be the favorites. Tatum and Brown are as good a 1-2 punch as there is in the league.”
However, the road won’t be easy in a loaded Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks (+800), who added perennial All-Star Damian Lillard in the offseason, loom as a major threat. The Cleveland Cavaliers (+600), powered by MVP candidate Evan Mobley, can never be counted out.
Thunder Rolling In The West
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the favorites at +260. After years of patiently building through the draft, OKC’s young core, headlined by the electric Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, looks poised to take the next step.
The Thunder will have to fend off challenges from the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-1) and their high-octane offense led by Anthony Edwards, as well as Luka Doncic and the always dangerous Dallas Mavericks (11-1).
“The West is absolutely wide open,” a Western Conference executive said. “You could make a case for at least 5 or 6 teams to come out on top. But those young guys in OKC, if they stay healthy, they might be ready to make that leap.”
Odds To Make The Playoffs
While winning the title is the ultimate goal, for many teams, simply making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment. According to the odds, 20 of the league’s 30 teams have a better than 50% chance to qualify for the postseason:
- Boston Celtics: To Make Playoffs – Yes (-6000)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: To Make Playoffs – Yes (-6000)
- New York Knicks: To Make Playoffs – Yes (-10000)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: To Make Playoffs – Yes (-10000)
- Dallas Mavericks: To Make Playoffs – Yes (-400)
On the flip side, the Washington Wizards face the longest odds to make the playoffs at +2500 (or 25-1), followed by the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, both at +2000 (20-1).
Over/Under Win Totals
Another popular futures market for bettors is team win totals. The Celtics lead the way with an over/under of 59.5 wins, followed closely by the Thunder at 56.5.
Other notable win totals include:
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 55.5
- New York Knicks: 52.5
- Phoenix Suns: 51.5
- Golden State Warriors: 51.5
- Dallas Mavericks: 49.5
At the other end of the spectrum, the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz have the lowest projected win totals at 22.5, reflecting the likelihood both teams are headed for lottery-bound rebuilding seasons.
The Road Ahead
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the playoff picture will crystallize. Bettors looking to get in on the action have no shortage of options, from game-to-game bets to big picture wagers on the eventual champion.
“This is why we love the NBA, right? The drama, the storylines, the intensity — there’s nothing like the road to the Finals,” a long-time Las Vegas bookmaker said. “Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.”
Only one team can stand atop the mountain come season’s end. Will the Celtics further cement their legacy? Can the Thunder’s youth movement break through ahead of schedule? Might an unexpected contender emerge? The answers will be delivered on the hardwood in the weeks and months to come. For fans and bettors alike, the best of the 2024-25 NBA season is yet to come.
