Written by:
Christian Jope
Fact-checked by:
James Whitelock
Updated June 18, 2024
11 min read
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The Boston Celtics are the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Championship!
The 2024 NBA Champions were the Boston Celtics.
The 2024 NBA Finals runners-up were the Dallas Mavericks.
The Boston Celtics have been crowned the 2024 NBA Champions! However, as soon as they won the Larry O’Brien Trophy, all eyes moved to the race for the 2025 NBA Championship. At FanDuel Sportsbook, you can Bet $5 to receive $200 in Bonus Bets!
For the best NBA Futures bets, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2023-24 NBA season! Throughout the NBA Playoffs, there are plenty of exciting games and player props to consider.
The race for the 2025 NBA Championship begins now, with the Celtics claiming the Larry O’Brien Trophy for 2024. The Boston Celtics open the offseason as the favorite to win the NBA title next year. However, top teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks are top contenders. The fight for the NBA Championship will be intense, and the 2024-25 NBA season can’t come soon enough!
Let’s check out the bets!
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, current as of June 18. Head to FanDuel to place your bets on the NBA Championship! If you want to try FanDuel, you can get a special offer Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | +300 BET HERE |
| Denver Nuggets | +750 BET HERE |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +850 BET HERE |
| Dallas Mavericks | +900 BET HERE |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +1000 BET HERE |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +1000 BET HERE |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1600 BET HERE |
| New York Knicks | +1600 BET HERE |
| LA Clippers | +2800 BET HERE |
| Miami Heat | +3000 BET HERE |
As the reigning NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics are rightly the favorite to win the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2025. While the competition in their 2024 NBA Playoff run has been criticized, Boston’s regular season dominance suggests they’ll find similar success next season. If all things hold, the Celtics are the team to watch. But don’t expect their rivals across the NBA to sit idle this offseason, as every team looks to improve next season.
| 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
2024 NBA Playoffs:
NBA Finals: Boston defeated Dallas 4-1
The Boston Celtics claimed the ultimate prize through the 2023-24 NBA season. After dominating the regular season en route to the first seed in the Eastern Conference, Boston lost just three games in their path to the NBA Championship. It was the team's eighteenth NBA title, and star guard Jaylen Brown went on to win NBA Finals MVP! They enter the offseason on a high but are wary of improving their roster to strengthen their Championship defense.
Boston's quality was on full display last season, ranking second in points (120.6), first in threes per game (16.5), while ranking fifth in points allowed (109.2) and second in shooting efficiency permitted(45.3%). Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way, combining for 49.9 points through the regular season. However, it was the play of All-Star-worthy role players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White that pushed them through the finish line.
The Boston Celtics are in an excellent position for the upcoming offseason, with their significant contributors under contract. Boston has some decisions about key support players like Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser, but overall, they'll carry their core into next season. Don't expect drastic changes from Boston, as their finances will limit their acquisitions this summer.
Bet on Boston Celtics (+300) at FanDuel
| 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.
2024 NBA Playoffs:
Western Conference Semifinals: Denver lost to Minnesota 3-4
The Denver Nuggets came up short in their NBA Championship defense. After a stellar season that saw them overcome injuries and difficulties to finish second in the Western Conference, Denver was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs Second Round. They will enter the offseason looking for reinforcements, as their Championship roster failed in their defense.
One of the bright spots in the Denver Nuggets' season was Nikola Jokic's play. After averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, Jokic went on to win his third Most Valuable Player award. Despite putting up good numbers, point guard Jamal Murray disappointed as he missed 23 games through the regular season and played much of the postseason while nursing an injury.
The Denver Nuggets enter the offseason over the second apron, which will make it much more difficult for them to improve their roster. With almost $150 million committed to just Jokic, Murray, Porter Jr., Gordon, and Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets don't have much wiggle room. The Nuggets are certainly a contender, but after being surpassed by their conference rivals, they must improve if they hope to reach the heights of their Championship run.
Bet on Denver Nuggets (+750) at FanDuel
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 56-26 | 3rd in NBA Western Conference | 115.6 (16th of 30) | 109.0 (1st of 30) | 97.1 (24th of 30) | 113.0 (18th of 30) | 106.5 (1st of 30) |
Head Coach: Chris Finch
Key Players: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
2024 NBA Playoffs:
Western Conference Finals: Minnesota Lost to Dallas 1-4
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the surprises of the 2023-24 NBA season. Despite entering the season with a relatively similar roster to their last, the trio of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert stepped up, carrying the Timberwolves all the way to the third seed in the West. Center Gobert won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, while Anthony Edwards established himself as one of the NBA’s brightest stars.
Despite being eliminated in the Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards led the way through the season by averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 46.1% shooting and 35.7% from three. However, the depth of their production was equally valuable, with Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid helping the Timberwolves stay competitive with their stars on the bench.
The Timberwolves are expected to be beyond the second apron when the 2024-25 season starts, so their offseason roster moves may prove difficult. They’ll also be considering their future as Defensive Player of the Year became a target of the Mavericks offense in the Western Conference Finals. What’s certain is that the Timberwolves are a formidable outfit with Edwards at the helm, and their efforts through the 2023-24 season suggest a bright outlook come the 2024-25 campaign.
Bet on Minnesota Timberwolves (+850) at FanDuel
| Year | Record | Finish | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | Pace | PPG | Opp PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 50-32 | 5th in NBA Western Conference | 117.6 (10th of 30) | 115.4 (18th of 30) | 100.1 (6th of 30) | 117.9 (7th of 30) | 115.6 (20th of 30) |
Head Coach: Jason Kidd
Key Players: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington
2024 NBA Playoffs:
NBA Finals: Dallas lost to Boston 1-3
Despite a frustrating NBA regular season, the Dallas Mavericks showed their quality in the NBA Playoffs. Working their way to the NBA Finals by overcoming the series favorites in each round, Dallas showed that they’re a rising force in the Western Conference. Despite losing the NBA Finals in five games, the team and front office showed that they’re serious about competing for the NBA Championship, and they won’t be content with second place this offseason.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks this season. The Mavericks superstar averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds while competing for the league MVP award throughout the season. However, just as valuable was midseason pickups PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, who added much-needed depth for Dallas’ incredible postseason run.
With a taste for the NBA Finals, don’t expect the Mavericks to sit on their hands this summer. While they’re still feeling the effects of letting Jalen Brunson walk from the franchise, Kyrie Irving filled in admirably when available. The Mavericks have a good balance of veterans and high-potential prospects, so don’t be surprised to see Mavericks GM Nico Harrison remain active this offseason in hopes of creating a Championship-worthy team.
Bet on Dallas Mavericks (+900) at FanDuel
The 2024 NBA Champions were the Boston Celtics! After eliminating the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers through the Eastern Conference, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games to secure their eighteenth NBA Championship!
It was the Boston Celtics’ first Championship in 16 years, making them the NBA’s most winning franchise in history.
After winning his first NBA Championship, Jaylen Brown was named MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals, beating out teammate Jayson Tatum. Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 threes on 44.0% shooting and 23.5% from 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
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Christian Jope
NBA Betting Analyst
| Email: | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Education: | Bachelor of Arts (Applied Economics) |
| Favourite Sportsbook: | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Favourite Casino: | BetMGM Casino |
| Experience: | 6 years |
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