NBA Championship Odds & Favorites 2025: Thunder, Timberwolves Favorites

Last updated: May 18, 2025 12:54 PM EDT β’ 4 min read X Social Google News Link

Following a day off on Saturday, the NBA is back in action. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain NBA championship odds favorites at our best sports betting sites ahead of a win-or-go-home Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. The winner will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Final, while the Eastern Conference features a showdown between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear NBA Finals MVP odds favorite - over Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton - and the reason our AI prediction is backing OKC to win its first NBA Finals this year.
π Live NBA championship odds 2025
Our 2025 NBA championship odds update in real time based on the odds from our best sports betting apps.
π€ NBA championship AI prediction
We asked ChatGPT to analyze historical trends and NBA stats before predicting the winner of this year's NBA Finals. Our AI prediction projects the Oklahoma City Thunder will win the NBA Finals.
π₯οΈ AI NBA championship prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder (+140)

π Leagueβs most complete team:
The Thunder finished with a league-best 68β14 record, ranking top-five in both offensive and defensive efficiency - a hallmark shared by nearly every champion in the past two decades
π Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-level impact:
SGA averaged 32.7 points per game this season, and is the favorite for Finals MVP at +150, and his ability to take over late-game possessions gives OKC a clutch advantage few teams can match
π Elite depth and defensive versatility:
Oklahoma City features one of the deepest rotations in the league with Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort providing rim protection, spacing, and perimeter lockdown defense, giving them matchup flexibility across the playoffs
π€ Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean the Thunder (+135 via DraftKings) winning their first NBA Finals. ChatGPT is a large language model and not specifically designed for predicting sporting events, so these projections should be viewed as entertainment or a supplementary data point for your NBA Finals MVP betting research.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
π― AI long shot NBA championship prediction
ποΈ Pacers (+650)
π Dynamic offense: The Pacers boast one of the league's most potent offenses, orchestrated by All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, with his playmaking and scoring abilities being instrumental in the team's success, providing a consistent offensive threat
π Momentum in the playoffs: Indiana has demonstrated resilience and cohesion, leading their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with their ability to perform under pressure suggesting they could continue this momentum deeper into the playoffs
π Underrated depth and versatility: Beyond their star players, the Pacers have a well-rounded roster with contributors who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, and this depth allows for strategic flexibility and the capacity to adapt to various playoff matchups.
While the Pacers may not be the frontrunners, their combination of offensive prowess, success against the No. 1 seed Cavaliers, and team depth positions them as a formidable underdog capable of making a significant playoff run.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
π NBA Finals MVP odds 2025
NBA Finals MVP odds from our best sportsbooks.
π’ NBA championship opening odds
- Celtics: +310
- Nuggets: +750
- Mavericks: +950
- Thunder: +950
- Bucks: +1000
- Timberwolves: +1000
- Knicks: +1600
- 76ers: +1600
- Clippers: +2000
- Warriors: +2500
- Lakers: +2500
- Suns: +2500
- Heat: +3500
- Grizzlies: +4000
- Cavaliers: +5000
- Pacers: +5000
- Pelicans: +5000
- Magic: +5000
- Kings: +5000
- Hawks: +10000
- Rockets: +10000
- Spurs: +10000
- Bulls: +15000
- Raptors: +25000
- Jazz: +25000
- Nets: +50000
- Hornets: +50000
- Pistons: +50000
- Trail Blazers: +50000
- Wizards: +50000
β NBA Championship FAQs
Who is favored to win the 2025 NBA championship?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win the 2025 NBA championship at +135. Those odds imply a probability of 42.55% that the Thunder will lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Who won the NBA Finals last year?
The Boston Celtics won last year's NBA Finals, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games.
When will the 2025 NBA Finals be decided?
The last NBA Finals began on June 5. Expect the 2025 postseason to run on a similar schedule.
When's the last time an NBA team won back-to-back titles?
The last time an NBA team went back-to-back was when the Golden State Warriors won the championship in 2017 and 2018.
Who is the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals MVP?
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win NBA Finals MVP. His odds are +155, which imply a 39.22% win probability.
Who won the NBA Finals MVP last year?
Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown won NBA Finals MVP last year. Brown's shortest odds of -240 before Boston's series-clinching Game 5 win implied a 70.59% win probability.
π° NBA betting odds pages
π΅ Best NBA betting sites
Want to bet on the NBA playoffs? Check out the best NBA betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Gabe Henderson X social