Generally, sports bettors favor the underdogs. However, this season’s NBA championship odds surprisingly show a preference for the favorites.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics have pulled away significantly from other teams, becoming the top choices among bookmakers. Their higher odds mean lower payouts, making other teams more appealing for bettors.

“Not many people wish to back the leading favorites, as they seek more value among other teams still in contention,” stated David Lieberman, the head of NBA trading at Caesars Sports.

Despite the playoffs approaching their second round, many believe there are substantial betting opportunities available.

Unique Season Ahead

Throughout this season, Oklahoma City and Boston have consistently held the top two slots in championship odds. Initially, the Celtics were the frontrunners, but the Thunder’s impressive performance allowed them to surpass Boston during the regular season.

Currently, Caesars places Oklahoma City as the favorite at +145, with Boston closely trailing at +200. Observers note these two squads are far ahead of their competition.

“This season has been quite unusual with two dominant favorites at the forefront. It’s kept odds favorable for other teams a little longer,” Lieberman commented. “We had some enticing opportunities earlier in the season involving the Lakers and the Warriors.”

Teams like the Lakers and Warriors have caused significant issues for sportsbooks, particularly regarding betting amounts as the season progresses. Last season, the Lakers could be backed for odds over +4000, but after suffering a first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the pressure increased for sportsbooks.

The situation remains fine for Lieberman and his risk management team. Despite substantial betting on these top teams, they do not expect the playoffs to end favorably should any of them clinch the title.

West Coast Concerns

Most uncertainties for Caesars lie within the Western Conference, with potential challenges posed by the Warriors, Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and L.A. Clippers.

“If any of these teams outplay the Thunder, it would be an unexpected defeat that most sportsbooks wouldn’t profit from,” Lieberman explained.

As the playoffs progress, readers can stay tuned for further insights on these odds.

What Bookmakers Desire The first three teams to progress to the NBA playoffs’ second round are, in descending order, the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics. If the sportsbooks had it their way, this trend would persist into the finals.

The bookmakers would find tremendous joy in a Finals matchup featuring the Celtics and Thunder, with the Cavaliers close behind in their enthusiasm.

“Boston and Oklahoma City’s odds were so relatively short that it didn’t present a high-risk scenario for us. Right now, we are pulling for those two teams,” Lieberman said. “Ideally, the next most favorable result would be the Cavaliers.”