NBA Championship Odds, Predictions & Picks 2026: Who Has the Edge in the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA Championship is the ultimate prize of the National Basketball Association, awarded annually to the winner of a best-of-seven series known as the NBA Finals.

To win the title, a team must first qualify for the playoffs - either by finishing in the top six of their conference or advancing through the Play-In Tournament - and then successfully navigate three rounds of intra-conference series (First Round, Semifinals, and Conference Finals). The journey requires a total of 16 postseason victories to claim the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, a 24-karat gold-over-sterling-silver icon designed by Tiffany & Co. to depict a basketball over a hoop.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the current defending champions, having defeated the Indiana Pacers in a dramatic seven-game series in June 2025 to secure the first title in their city's history.

Let's check the fresh odds below.

2026 NBA Championship Odds

Find the latest odds in the table below, courtesy of FanDuel. Place your bets at FanDuel and claim your bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets. For more info, read our expert FanDuel Sportsbook review.

NBA Championship Winner - My Pick

While the playoff field is packed with elite talent and dangerous dark horses, my confidence ultimately lies with one team that has proven their dominance all year.

Oklahoma City Thunder (-160) at FanDuel

As the defending 2025 champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2026 postseason as a powerhouse built on elite consistency and depth. After finishing the regular season with a league-best 64–18 record, they boast the NBA's top defensive rating (105.8) and a dominant road record, proving they can win in any environment.

Led by MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the versatile Chet Holmgren, the roster features a perfect blend of young talent and veteran savvy with the addition of Alex Caruso. Their league-leading point differential suggests they don't just win; they control games from start to finish, making them a formidable candidate to secure a rare back-to-back title.

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How to Bet on the NBA Championship

While there are tons of ways to bet on the NBA with game lines, player props, and other markets, NBA Championship bets deal strictly with predictions on the NBA Finals.

This bet classifies as a “Futures” bet, which is simply an event that will be settled at a future date. NBA champion odds will be found either in their own subheading or the futures section of a sportsbook’s NBA tab.

Best online sportsbooks will differ in their assessment of contending teams and provide different odds, so NBA bettors are encouraged to consult multiple sportsbooks before placing their bet.

How to Read NBA Championship Odds

Reading NBA championship odds are no different than reading traditional odds. All odds preceded by a + sign mean that a $100 bet will win the listed amount, and all odds preceded by a - sign will take the listed amount to win $100.

For example, a +550 team will pay $550 for a $100 wager if they win the NBA championship. A -165 favorite will pay $100 on a $165 wager.

The only key difference between futures odds and game lines is that usually, all or nearly all of the options will have positive odds. As the season and playoffs progress and teams are eliminated, the odds for all available candidates will shorten.

Where to Bet on the NBA Championship Winner

Every NBA betting site should come with NBA championship odds. However, as mentioned above, the odds and general experience will vary depending on the sportsbook.

FanDuel Sportsbook is the American leader in sports betting and has tons of NBA betting markets, including futures odds. New users of FanDuel can claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets.

Another great option is BetMGM Sportsbook, leading the way in the ease of navigation and user experience. If you are new to BetMGM, use our promo code WSNSPORTS when signing up for an account and claim the following offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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NBA Championship Winner History (to 2000)

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 NBA Finals, meaning that for the first time in league history, seven different teams won seven straight Finals. The last repeat champion was the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, which is a sharp change from the dynasties that ran the league.

Here’s a look at all of the NBA champions since 2000.