NBA Championship Odds, Predictions & Picks 2027: Spurs and Thunder Open as Early Favorites

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.

With the New York Knicks taking the title in 2026, many fans and analysts are already locking in their NBA Western Conference Predictions and keeping a close eye on the shifting NBA Eastern Conference odds.

Let's check the latest movements in the NBA Championship odds below.

2026 NBA Championship Odds

Find the latest odds for the NBA Championship in the table below. Odds are sourced from the best NBA betting sites available in the market today. Also, check our selection of the latest NBA promos and bonuses.

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.

Favorite: San Antonio Spurs (+270) at DraftKings Sportsbook

The San Antonio Spurs are opening as the clear betting favorites to win the 2027 NBA Championship because they boast the most terrifying, rapidly ascending young core in the league, highlighted by a generational superstar who is light-years ahead of schedule.

Fresh off a spectacular run to the 2026 NBA Finals, the Spurs have now gained invaluable championship-level experience, all while being anchored by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who is fully expected to establish himself as the undisputed most dominant force in basketball next season. Beyond Wembanyama, San Antonio's roster is incredibly deep and locked in for the long haul; the emergence of sensational young guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside established scoring threats like De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell gives them a perfectly balanced attack.

With an elite blend of lockdown defense, overwhelming size, and an offense that continues to improve, oddsmakers and analysts alike recognize that this young Spurs team has only just scratched the surface of its dynasty potential.

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Underdog: Minnesota Timberwolves (+2700) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Minnesota Timberwolves stand out as the smartest sleeper bet. While powerhouse teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder currently dominate the top of the odds boards, the Timberwolves are frequently priced at a significant discount in the futures markets at around +3000.

However, they possess a championship-caliber defensive structure capable of neutralizing elite talent, having just pushed the heavily favored Spurs to six games in the 2026 playoffs by holding Victor Wembanyama to under 20 points per game. With young foundational stars like Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels still ascending in their development, this combination of stifling defense and explosive scoring makes them a dangerous, matchup-proof playoff team fully capable of grinding through the West and pulling off an upset next June.

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Current NBA Standings

Tracking the current NBA standings gives you a real-time snapshot of the league's competitive balance, highlighting which teams are surging toward top playoff seeds and which are falling behind in the division races. Whether you are tracking daily momentum swings or looking for value in long-term futures markets, keeping a close eye on win-loss records and conference positioning is essential for making informed betting decisions throughout the grueling 82-game season.

Below are top 10 teams at the end of the 2025-26 regular season.

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.

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: Get $350 in Bonus Bets When You Bet $5 for 7 Days. Find more info in our detailed FanDuel promo code overview.

DraftKings Sportsbook is another top-tier choice for NBA betting, renowned for its extensive selection of player props, competitive futures markets, and dynamic live-betting features. If you are new to the platform, you can sign up using our link to unlock their exclusive welcome offer: Spend $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (Paid Over 21 Days). For more info, have a look at our DraftKings Sportsbook review.

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 BetMGM bonus 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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