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.
Best Sites for NBA Futures & Picks
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.
| Team | FanDuel | Caesars | BetMGM | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +250 | +275 | +250 | +260 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +250 | +275 | +270 | +250 |
| Boston Celtics | +600 | +600 | +700 | +550 |
| New York Knicks | +750 | +600 | +700 | +650 |
| Denver Nuggets | +2500 | +2500 | +2000 | +2800 |
| Detroit Pistons | +2500 | +3000 | +3300 | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +3300 | +3000 | +2500 | +2800 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +3300 | +3000 | +2500 | +3000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +3500 | +2200 | +3500 | +2800 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +3500 | +2500 | +3300 | +3500 |
| Odds are current at the time of publishing and are subject to change. | ||||
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.
San Antonio Spurs (+275) at Caesars 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.
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.
| Season | Winner | Loser | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New York Knicks | San Antonio Pacers | Knicks - 5 games |
| 2025 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | Thunder - 7 games |
| 2024 | Boston Celtics | Dallas Mavericks | Celtics - 5 games |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Miami Heat | Nuggets - 5 games |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Boston Celtics | Warriors - 6 games |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | Bucks - 6 games |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | Miami Heat | Lakers - 6 games |
| 2019 | Toronto Raptors | Golden State Warriors | Raptors - 6 games |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | Warriors - 4 games |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | Warriors - 5 games |
| 2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Golden State Warriors | Cavaliers - 7 games |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | Warriors - 6 games |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | Miami Heat | Spurs - 5 games |
| 2013 | Miami Heat | San Antonio Spurs | Heat - 7 games |
| 2012 | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Heat - 5 games |
| 2011 | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat | Mavericks - 6 games |
| 2010 | Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | Lakers - 7 games |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Lakers | Orlando Magic | Lakers - 5 games |
| 2008 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | Celtics - 6 games |
| 2007 | San Antonio Spurs | Cleveland Cavaliers | Spurs - 4 games |
| 2006 | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat | Heat - 6 games |
| 2005 | San Antonio Spurs | Detroit Pistons | Spurs - 7 games |
| 2004 | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers | Pistons - 5 games |
| 2003 | San Antonio Spurs | New Jersey Nets | Spurs - 6 games |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Lakers | New Jersey Nets | Lakers - 4 games |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Lakers | Philadelphia 76ers | Lakers - 5 games |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Lakers | Indiana Pacers | Lakers - 6 games |
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 up to $1,000 in Bet Resets. Find more info in our detailed FanDuel promo code overview.
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*.
*21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Responsible Gambling
If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Visit 1800gambler.net for more information or call 1-800-GAMBLER (US), 1-800-MY-RESET (US), 877-8-HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) to get help.
Visit our Responsible Gambling Center for more details.
NBA Championship FAQs
Who won the 2026 NBA Finals?
Who won the 2025 NBA Finals MVP?
Which NBA teams have not won the Finals?
What is the Larry O’Brien Trophy?
Which team won the most NBA championships?
Who were the first NBA champions?
More NBA Futures
NBA Finals MVP Odds 2026: Who Will Win the Bill Russell Trophy?
1 month ago | Zack Lane
NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP Odds: Jalen Brunson Leads the East Finals MVP Race
2 months ago | Zack Lane