2024 NBA Finals odds: Who are the favorites heading into the NBA Playoffs 2024? (original) (raw)

With the 2023-24 NBA season officially over, many basketball fans are now wondering about the teams with the best NBA Finals odds. Well, look no further because this space has you covered with the latest championship betting odds for the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets.

Also Read: NBA power rankings 2024 – Who is in the top 10 as we begin the 2024 NBA playoffs?

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the latest NBA Finals odds for all 30 squads, as well as some analysis of three worthwhile bets, and one winning squad that will definitely not reach the championship series in the spring.

2023-2024 NBA Finals odds

Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Also Read: Who is the oldest NBA player? (All-time and active)

The current favorite: Boston Celtics (+160)

The Boston Celtics have been title contenders for the last two seasons and they are again in 2024. The front office made some big moves by adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday last summer, and both established stars fit in seamlessly with this veteran group.

Related: NBA playoff predictions – Bracket picks & 2024 Finals champion

They have a strong core and are led by two legit All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. No pick is ever a safe bet, but the Celtics are without a doubt as close as any team would get to being a sure bet to get to the NBA Finals this year.

NBA Championship odds smart risk: Denver Nuggets (+280)

At the end of the 2022-2023 season, two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets teammates delivered on the promise they have long shown and brought the franchise its first NBA title. They were a dominant force throughout the postseason and seemed to only get better in the later rounds.

Related: NBA Rookie of the Year 23-24 – Top NBA ROY odds and candidates to win

It is no surprise they are a popular choice to repeat in 2024 since all of the key elements for the roster will be back next season. Furthermore, after hanging in the middle of the conference top 10 for much of the year, they have heated up at just the right time and are surging into the playoffs.

The Darkhorse: New York Knicks (+4000)

Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have surprised many of their biggest detractors this season. Despite dealing with injuries all season to many key players, Jalen Brunson’s MVP-level performance has been a massive part of why they enter the tournament with the No. 2 seed.

Also Read: 20 Worst NBA players of all-time

However, beyond Brunson, New York plays better than most squads in the league as a team and has an elite defense that will be a major problem for opponents and is always a huge X-factor come playoff time. The Knicks, even without Julius Randle is a serious dark horse in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Pick to avoid: Philadelphia 76ers (+1900)

Having the reigning NBA MVP is a good reason to be seen as a serious contender in any conference. Furthermore, 2023-24 guard Tyrese Maxey has developed into a legitimate All-Star and a real No. 2 to Joel Embiid.

Related: 25 highest paid NBA players – Milwaukee Bucks now have two of the richest

Nevertheless, while they might be seen as a dark horse in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers are probably still one big piece away from winning a championship and should not be a team you put your money on to win it all in 2024, especially with doubts that Embiid is fully healthy have knee surgery during the season.