The NBA Finals are a big betting time at online sportsbooks, and for good reason. The NBA season’s climax is full of outstanding players and performances and ever-changing NBA finals odds.
With the best sports betting apps and live NBA odds now at your fingertips, getting an NBA Finals bet in is easier than ever. See the guide below to help inform your NBA Finals bets.
2024 NBA Championship odds
Our odds feed below contains the latest NBA Finals futures odds from the best NBA betting sites. If you see odds that interest you, click to sign up for a new account and begin betting.
Current NBA Finals contenders
Here are the six teams we’re monitoring for a run at the 2024 NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have hit the ground running this NBA season with an impressive record, signaling that their strategic trades have paid off. Their winning tally boasts notable victories against a lineup of formidable teams.
Their momentum was only briefly halted by a hard-fought overtime loss to the Timberwolves, a minor setback in an otherwise stellar start.
Jayson Tatum has emerged as the Celtics' leading scorer at 26.9 points per game. His scoring ability has been a key factor in Boston's success, with Jaylen Brown also making a significant impact, contributing 22.6 points per game. Kristaps Porzingis has added 19.6 points per game, reinforcing the Celtics' offensive firepower.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have begun their NBA campaign with a solid start, notching wins against several high-caliber teams such as the Knicks, Nets, Heat, and 76ers.
These victories indicate the team's potential and ability to compete at a high level despite losses to the Hawks and Raptors, which could be considered minor hiccups during a long and demanding season.
At the forefront of the Bucks' charge is the towering presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP and the 2021 Finals MVP, whose impact remains undiminished.
Giannis leads the Bucks with 30.8 points and 11 rebounds per game. Close on his heels is the newly acquired Damian Lillard, whose 26.2 points per game underscore his seamless fit into the team's offense.
Denver Nuggets
The defending NBA champion Nuggets have launched into the new season with a commanding record, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in the league.
They've confidently claimed victories over many teams: the Lakers, Grizzlies, Thunder, Jazz, Mavericks, Bulls, and Pelicans, proving their championship mettle. Their biggest slip-up came against the Timberwolves, a team that managed to hand them their single loss in a close contest.
At the heart of the Nuggets' hot start is Nikola Jokic, who is leading the team in scoring (26.4 ppg), rebounding (12.3 rpg), and assists (9.2 apg). Michael Porter Jr. has also been a significant contributor with his three-point sharpshooting.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns had a challenging start to their season, but their potential keeps them as a favorite in the sportsbooks' NBA Finals predictions.
Their victories over the Pistons, Jazz, and, notably, the Warriors signal their capacity to take down strong teams despite losses to the 76ers and Lakers and two defeats by the Spurs, which suggest areas for improvement.
Kevin Durant has been a beacon of scoring for the injury-riddled Suns, amassing 30.3 points per game, reinforcing his status as one of the premier scorers in the league. Stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have missed significant time with injuries.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have struggled since a hot start. While they did encounter early-season hurdles with losses to the Suns and Cavaliers, their success against the Thunder, Pelicans, Rockets, Pistons, and, notably, twice against the Kings, has been a reaffirmation of their standing as a formidable force in the league.
Steph Curry has started the season in MVP fashion, leading the scoring chart for the Warriors at 27.9 points per game. His exceptional scoring ability, especially from long range, where he has already knocked down 130+ three-pointers, is a pivotal element of the Warriors' offense.
But Draymond Green's latest suspension and Klay Thompson's inconsistent play have marred this team's ability to win at a higher level.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had a mixed beginning to their season. They've secured victories against the Clippers, Magic, and Suns, showcasing their potential to contend with some of the league's competitive teams. Notably, they won the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
LeBron James continues to be a cornerstone for the Lakers, leading the team in scoring at 25.4 points per game. His continued offensive prowess keeps the Lakers in contention in every game. Anthony Davis follows closely with 24.9 points and 12 rebounds per game, affirming his status as a key player for the team.
NBA Finals results
Here’s a look at the past 10 NBA Finals series:
| Year | Champion | Series Record | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | 4-1 | Miami Heat |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | 4-2 | Boston Celtics |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | 4-2 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4-2 | Miami Heat |
| 2019 | Toronto Raptors | 4-2 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors | 4-0 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | 4-1 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4-3 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | 4-2 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | 4-1 | Miami Heat |
How do the NBA Playoffs work?
The end of the regular season brings about the NBA Playoffs, a tournament where the top eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences compete to play in the NBA Finals.
Each series in the playoffs follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format, designed to give the higher-seeded team a home-court advantage by hosting the first, second, fifth, and seventh games.
The lower-seeded team hosts the third, fourth, and sixth games.
Here’s how it all works:
- Regular season: With an 82-game slate, NBA teams compete for playoff spots year-round. Based on their win-loss record, the teams are ranked within their conference to determine the top eight that will make the postseason tournament.
- Play-in tournament: Since the 2020-21 season, there has been a “play-in tournament” to determine each conference's 7th and 8th seeds. The teams that finished in each conference's 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th positions enter this tournament to determine who will proceed to the playoffs. The 7th and 8th teams play one another to determine the 7th seed. Meanwhile, the 9th and 10th teams also play, with the loser being eliminated and the winner then playing the loser of the previous game. This final knockout contest solidifies the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
- Playoffs: The top eight teams, including those that survive the play-in tournament, advance to the playoffs for four best-of-seven elimination rounds. The teams are seeded 1 through 8, and first-round matchups are 1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th, and 4th vs. 5th. The winners in the first round advance to the semifinals, and those winners advance to the conference finals to determine who plays in the championship.
- NBA Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions square off in the NBA Finals, which is another best-of-seven series. The team that wins is crowned the champions of the National Basketball Association.
Betting on the NBA Finals
You can start betting on the NBA Finals for next season as soon as the Finals from the year prior conclude. This is done through NBA futures odds, which let you bet on which team you believe will become the next NBA Finals champion.
Futures lines shift a lot throughout the year due to several factors, including team performance, player news, offseason moves, coaching changes, etc. Odds are typically more favorable early in the preseason and regular season, and they tighten as the season progresses and the playoff picture becomes clearer.
Once the playoffs arrive, traditional NBA betting lines like the moneyline and point spread take over as bettors begin to wager on individual games and series. Moneyline betting requires you to pick which team you believe will win, while point spread betting evens the playing field a bit, especially when one seed is expected to dominate another in a series or game.
Totals bets are also popular during the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals. This bet type requires you to predict if the combined number of points for both teams in a single contest will be over or under the predicted amount set by the sportsbook.
You’ll also find many NBA prop betting markets. Here, you focus not on the game outcome but on player or team accomplishments. Player props include a specific player collecting over or under a certain number of points, rebounds, assists, or steals. Team props might include which team is leading at halftime or a team’s combined over/under on free-throw percentage.
Lastly, you can bet on NBA games while the action is happening. These bets require you to use a sports betting app or online sportsbook because of the speed at which the game is played and the odds shifting.
Numerous options are usually available for live betting, ranging from which player will score the next points to whether there will be a fourth-quarter comeback victory.
Each sportsbook offers its own live betting options, so do some research and find the sportsbooks that best suit your needs for live betting action.
Here’s a quick overview of betting opportunities for the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals.
- Game lines: Each game will offer moneylines, spreads, and totals bets.
- Props: From player props to team props, you’ll find a nice variety for every game during the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals.
- Live betting: The action can be fast and furious, but live betting is becoming one of the most popular betting options during the NBA postseason.
- Series bets: You can bet on more than just individual games when wagering on the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals. You’ll find moneylines, totals bets, and more.
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