When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >
The Boston Celtics are the favorite to win the 2024 NBA Championship.
Last year’s NBA Champion was the Denver Nuggets.
The 2023 NBA Finals runners-up were the Miami Heat.
The NBA Playoffs are right around the corner, and the Boston Celtics are the favorite to win the 2024 NBA Championship! For the latest odds, predictions, and in-depth analyses, keep following us at WSN to stay well-informed throughout the season.
Finishing at the top of the East and the NBA, the Boston Celtics are rightly the favorite to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But not far behind them are the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, despite losing the first seed in the West on the season's final day. Rounding out the group are two star-studded rosters, as the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks aim to overcome the odds in their respective conferences.
Let’s check out the bets!
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, current as of April 17. Head to DraftKings to place your bets on the NBA Championship! Check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | +160 BET HERE |
| Denver Nuggets | +280 BET HERE |
| LA Clippers | +1200 BET HERE |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +1500 BET HERE |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +1600 BET HERE |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1600 BET HERE |
| Phoenix Suns | +1900 BET HERE |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1900 BET HERE |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +2500 BET HERE |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2500 BET HERE |
If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER to get help, or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. WSN is an advocate for safe gambling practices.
Whenever the Boston Celtics face adversity, they bounce back, looking more capable than ever. That’s been the case for the Celtics as they close out their regular season campaign. While they’ve held the lead at the top of the Eastern Conference and the NBA for most of the season, their focus is on earning another NBA Championship. Behind the incredible efforts of Jayson Tatum and an All-Star supporting cast, anything is possible for Boston.
Enhance your sports betting experience with a special welcome bonus from DraftKings Sportsbook and the team at WSN! Join now to explore various betting markets, including exciting NBA Team Futures. If you're new to betting, take advantage of this unique offer before the NBA Champion is named!
New users at DraftKings Sportsbook can instantly receive $200 by betting just $5, along with a No Sweat NBA SGP for every day of the NBA Playoffs! No promo code is needed. Sign up at DraftKings Sportsbook, place a $5 wager on your chosen market, and enjoy $200 in Bonus Bets immediately! Your bonus bets will be credited within 24 hours of bet settlement. Bonus Bets will expire within 168 hours, are not cashable, and must be wagered at least once.
If you have any questions or require further insights, check out our expert review of DraftKings Sportsbook!
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1697451586/nba-championship-winner-predictions.jpg "NBA Championship Winner Predictions")
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 64-18 | 1st in NBA Eastern Conference | 123.2 (1st of 30) | 111.6 (3rd of 30) | 97.2 (23rd of 30) | 120.6 (2nd of 30) | 109.2 (5th of 30) |
Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla
Key Players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis
Key Additions: Xavier Tillman
Key Losses: Dalano Banton
The Boston Celtics are riding a wave of momentum into the 2024 NBA Playoffs, setting the stage for an exciting run. Boston is expected to navigate a relatively smooth route to the Eastern Conference Finals as the top team in the NBA. Their offensive strategy, powered by their exceptional quality from deep, is a testament to their dominance. They lead the league in threes per game (16.5) and rank second in three-point efficiency (38.8%).
Jayson Tatum is the player to watch for the Celtics this postseason. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 3.1 threes per game in 74 appearances this regular season. With eyes on returning to the Conference Finals for a second consecutive season, expect Tatum to lead the way for Boston. If they can make their way to the Finals, the Boston Celtics have as competitive a team for the championship as any.
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 57-25 | 2nd in NBA Western Conference | 118.5 (5th of 30) | 113.0 (8th of 30) | 96.8 (27th of 30) | 114.9 (14th of 30) | 109.6 (6th of 30) |
Head Coach: Michael Malone
Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr.
Key Additions: n/a
Key Losses: n/a
The Denver Nuggets were considered a weaker team than last year, but the defending champions used the regular season to prove they’re a force to be reckoned with regardless of lineup. Employing a movement-heavy, pass-oriented offense that averages 29.5 assists (3rd) and 49.6% shooting efficiency (4th), the Nuggets’ attack is only rivaled by a defense that holds teams to 109.6 points (6th) on 46.2% shooting (4th).
The undisputed leader of the Denver Nuggets is two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who may add a third MVP trophy to his cabinet this postseason. Averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists on 58.3% shooting, Jokic has made All-League-worthy performances seem commonplace. With the experience of an NBA Championship and a talented core, the Nuggets will be threats to any team they face in the playoffs.
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 51-31 | 4th in NBA Western Conference | 118.8 (4th of 30) | 115.4 (17th of 30) | 97.2 (20th of 30) | 115.6 (12th of 30) | 112.3 (10th of 30) |
Head Coach: Tyronn Lue
Key Players: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden
Key Additions: Kai Jones
Key Losses: Josh Primo
The LA Clippers didn’t close out the regular season in the form they wanted to present going into the playoffs. One of the league’s best two-way sides, the Clippers’ aim to close the season was to get their veteran contributors’ health in order. LA aims to reach the Conference Finals, and hopefully the NBA Finals, with a healthy roster of players. However, with Kawhi Leonard missing eight straight games ahead of the playoffs, confidence in the Clippers is shaken.
Leonard has led the Clippers this season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 threes per game while appearing in the most regular season games of his career since 2017. LA must rely on the production of Harden, George, and Westbrook if Leonard is unavailable. The veteran trio has all the experience needed to succeed, but their scoring efficiency, defense, and team depth will all significantly affect their title chances.
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 49-33 | 3rd in NBA Eastern Conference | 118.4 (6th of 30) | 115.8 (19th of 30) | 99.9 (7th of 30) | 119.0 (4th of 30) | 116.4 (21st of 30) |
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton
Key Additions: Patrick Beverley
Key Losses: Cameron Payne
The Milwaukee Bucks struggled to close out the regular season. After bringing in Doc Rivers to lead their strategy, the Bucks went 17-19 and eventually lost the second seed in the East to the Knicks. Despite their struggles, the Bucks are a high-powered defensive outfit that is fourth in points per game (119.0) and seventh in efficiency (48.7%).
The Bucks will turn to former league MVP and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to bring them back to the NBA Finals. Leading the team with 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, Antetokounmpo has had one of his best seasons. With Damian Lillard's help, averaging 24.3 points and 3.0 threes, the Bucks can keep up with anyone on offense. While the Bucks certainly have championship experience, whether their defense is of a title-winning quality is still being determined.
The 2023 NBA Champions were the Denver Nuggets! After eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers through the Western Conference, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to secure their first-ever NBA Championship!
It was the first time the Denver Nuggets reached the Finals since they were a member of the ABA in 1976!
After winning his first NBA Championship, Nikola Jokic was named the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists on 58.3% from the field and 42.1% from the three-point range.
Several NBA franchises are yet to win an NBA title. While some of these teams have won ABA Championships or titles before relocating to their current city, they have yet to win an NBA title in their current iteration. Whether they’ve been close or never within striking distance, these teams still want to add the Larry O’Brien trophy to their cabinet.
The following teams have never won the NBA title:
Atlanta Hawks
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Indiana Pacers
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz
AUTHOR
Christian Jope
1446 Articles
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
More info on Christian Jope
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
© Rebel Penguin ApS 2024 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)
We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey
Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID
89744,
with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by
the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number
117656-1,
possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account
number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board,
an
interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery
Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director
of
Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a
Vendor
Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our
affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various
sportsbooks.
/fit-in/222x222/draftkings-logo-2.png){kind=logo}
/fit-in/222x222/caesars-sportsbook-b.jpeg)
/fit-in/222x222/frame-1-1.png)
/fit-in/222x222/betrivers-sportsbook-7.png)
/draftkings-logo-2.png){kind=logo}