The Boston Celtics were crowned the 2024 NBA champions in June. July has since brought on a multitude of change, and the top of the title race has been shaken up by significant moves spanning each conference.
With the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season just a few months away, we’re sifting through the aftermath and uncovering the best picks you can make today for the 2025 NBA Finals.
DraftKings Sportsbook provides NBA lines for the 2025 NBA Finals winner, which are current as of Monday, July 8.
2025 NBA Finals Betting Odds
- Boston Celtics (+295)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+800)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+850)
- Denver Nuggets (+850)
- New York Knicks (+950)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000)
- Dallas Mavericks (+1000)
- Milwaukee Bucks (+1100)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+3000)
- Phoenix Suns (+3500)
All other NBA Finals contenders have (+4000) odds or longer.
Use our top NBA playoff betting apps to make these wagers.
2025 NBA Finals Pick
Oklahoma City Thunder (+850)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Thunder made a drastic improvement from logging 40 wins in 2022-23 to earning 57 wins and claiming the West’s No. 1 seed in 2023-24. A relatively early exit put them out of the postseason in the second round, but after retooling this summer, Oklahoma City will be out to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.
It’s hard not to be optimistic about the moves they made this offseason. Trading Josh Giddey — a non-factor in the playoffs — for Alex Caruso addressed significant needs on both ends of the floor, and the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein gives this team a legitimate, more traditional presence in the paint and on the glass.
OKC was a bottom-five team in opponent three-pointers and offensive rebounds allowed this past season, so on paper, it appears it’s plugged those holes with playoff-ready contributors. Plus, with another year of experience under this young roster’s belt, I wouldn’t rule out another leap.
A title in 2024-25 might be a touch ahead of schedule for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s squad, but then again, how many expected them to come close to 60 wins last season? At (+850), the value is there to make this my NBA bet of the day.
2025 NBA Finals Favorites
Boston Celtics (+295)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
The Celtics are considerable favorites to repeat as NBA champions in 2024-25, and rightfully so. Boston was the league’s best team throughout the 2023-24 regular season, and that dominance only continued in the playoffs as the Celtics cruised to a 16-3 record.
This roster isn’t exactly in need of reshaping, so Boston prioritized locking down some of its most important players to long-term contracts this summer. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each earned massive paydays, while Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet were quick to sign extensions.
The Celtics have every reason to return to the Eastern Conference Finals this coming year, and there’s a good chance they can get by any opponent they meet there. They’ll have a target on their backs, though, and there are plenty of great teams on the rise. I’m opting for a half-unit wager at (+295).
Philadelphia 76ers (+800)
Philadelphia made the biggest free-agent splash of the summer, adding former Clippers forward Paul George by way of a four-year deal. The nine-time All-Star figures to be a strong complement to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and could help the 76ers form one of the league’s most potent offenses.
With that said, I’m tempering my expectations for this group — at least for now. The Sixers desperately need to shore up their depth, and unfortunately, guys like Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond aren’t huge needle-movers.
Until we have a better idea of what this team will look like heading into the season, I can’t recommend a bet on Philly. This (+800) price tag is also second only to Boston, so it’s not like there’s tremendous value in getting in on the Sixers right now. Patience is key.
2025 NBA Finals Contenders
Denver Nuggets (+850)
DraftKings Sportsbook
The Nuggets aren’t done making moves, but so far, their summer has been particularly underwhelming. Dario Šarić is a nice add, but losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could prove costly. The 31-year-old was a key two-way contributor for Denver.
This team does have some younger pieces who could step into KCP’s old role — particularly Christian Braun or Peyton Watson — but beyond that, the Nuggets will also need one of Hunter Tyson, Julian Strawther, or Jalen Pickett to start logging consistent, meaningful minutes off the bench.
Denver has been rumored to be in the mix to trade for former Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, but it’s unclear how much he’d really bring to the table as he enters his age-36 season. This is one bet worth avoiding at (+850).
New York Knicks (+950)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
New York was close in 2023-24, but injuries kept the team from achieving its full potential in the postseason. The franchise has attempted to remedy that by adding one of the NBA’s perennial iron men, Mikal Bridges, to round out a threatening two-way core.
Bridges impressed as the No. 1 option in Brooklyn this past year, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and a steal in roughly 35 minutes per game. With that said, he’s clearly better suited for a complementary role, which he’ll take on alongside OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle in NYC.
Between Bridges and Anunoby, the Knicks roster two of the league’s most versatile defenders at the wing. If both stay healthy, that could help them match up especially well with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics in a potential Eastern Conference Finals.
2025 NBA Finals Sleepers
Dallas Mavericks (+1000)
DraftKings Sportsbook
On the heels of a surprising run to the 2024 NBA Finals, the Mavericks are hoping they’ve struck gold in the form of Klay Thompson, who was often a source of anguish for the franchise over the last decade. The 34-year-old struggled at times in his final year with Golden State, but he can still be a dependable scorer.
There isn’t much that needs to be said about Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, who proved they can work together in the backcourt and form a championship-caliber pairing. Losing Derrick Jones Jr. to the Clippers is a tough blow, but former Pelicans wing Naji Marshall can help fill that void.
Still, I’m not convinced that Dallas can win the NBA Finals in 2025. The West will be even more treacherous this coming year, with improvements being made throughout the conference. Plus, the Mavericks will need to prove they can compete with the East’s elite after getting thrashed by Boston.
Indiana Pacers (+6000)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
As far as deep sleepers are concerned, there’s hardly a better choice than the Pacers. Indiana was underrated throughout the year and proved that by making a run to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing in four games to the Celtics.
The Pacers will return largely the same roster in 2024-25 after re-signing Pascal Siakam to a four-year deal. The two-time All-Star appeared in 41 games for Indiana following a mid-season trade and averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists alongside breakout star Tyrese Haliburton.
There are still some tweaks to be made — the Pacers desperately need a wing stopper — but there are some promising young pieces here. At the least, we should expect Indiana to make a strong push for a top-four seed. From there, this dangerous offense could make some noise.
