NBA Finals Odds 2024: Celtics Remain Favorites Over Nuggets, Bucks

As we approach the one-quarter mark of the NBA season, we're closely monitoring the NBA Finals odds for the 2023-24 campaign to help you make well-informed NBA picks.

We're nearing the one-quarter mark of the NBA season, and the true contenders are starting to separate atop the NBA Finals oddsboard.

The Boston Celtics have been the favorites all season to win their first NBA Finals in nearly two decades, and that remains the case after an impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign. They're dealing just ahead of the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks, both of whom have remained near the top of the pack while riding NBA MVP contenders Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There's a clear tier drop after that among contenders with a short price. Meanwhile, the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and surging Oklahoma City Thunder have forced their way into the conversation as two of the top-seeded teams in the Western Conference.

Here is our look at the top 2024 NBA Finals odds from our best NBA betting sites, along with some appealing picks.

NBA Finals odds 2024

(odds updated Nov. 28)

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NBA Finals odds movement

The NBA's worst-kept secret finally became a reality as James Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for several expiring contracts, some draft picks, and the most important asset: a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick.

The Clippers went all-in with that move, with mixed results through the first few weeks of the Harden era. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers now possess valuable draft capital and expiring contracts they can utilize in other trade negotiations, aiming to bolster the team around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

With the 76ers now performing well, the best price you can find on them to win the NBA Finals is +1500 via FanDuel. Their odds were as long as +2800 when the season began.

NBA Finals odds 2024: Favorite

Celtics (+380 via DraftKings)

When you add Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to a team that already features the one-two punch of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the squad tends to be considered the favorite to win the NBA Finals. That's exactly what's happening to the Celtics.

It'll take some time for this roster to fit all of their pieces together and figure out how to best utilize the new weapons. But this Celtics team has already gotten off to a blazing start and will be very dangerous when the NBA Playoffs roll around. They're the rightful favorites atop the oddsboard.

NBA Finals odds 2024: Contender

Nuggets (+440 via FanDuel)

There was an expectation that the Nuggets might experience fatigue early in the season due to their championship run this past spring, but that hasn't been the case. The Nuggets have hit the ground running, and they look identical to the group that won the NBA Finals in 2022-23, even with injuries hindering this team's rotation.

The Nuggets aren't a one-and-done NBA championship team, as Jamal Murray is only 26 years old and Jokic is 28, and both are under contract for the foreseeable future. Multiple championships are always in play when a generational talent like Jokic leads a team, and the Nuggets' futures odds are now being priced that way.

NBA Finals odds 2024: Long shot

Thunder (+6500 via FanDuel)

It's probably too early in Oklahoma City's window to discuss the Thunder as an NBA Finals contender. They didn't even make the playoffs in 2022-23, but let's consider a different angle here.

A superstar is essential to secure an NBA championship, and the Thunder possess one in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned First Team All-NBA honors last season. The Thunder are considerably more talented than several teams trading in the +6500 price range. However, that talent is still very young.

What if the Thunder find themselves in the playoff picture and utilize their abundant draft capital to acquire a veteran superstar prior to the trade deadline? Pairing SGA with another superstar, alongside this youthful core, would rapidly cause those +6500 odds to vanish, leaving you with a promising futures bet.

The Thunder might not emerge as champions in this NBA season, but their potential and draft capital lead me to believe their odds should be considerably shorter than the +6500 offered at FanDuel.

NBA Finals odds 2024: Fade

Lakers (+2200 via BetMGM)

The Los Angeles Lakers better be careful to begin the season. They endured a slow start in 2022-23 and managed to sneak into the playoffs via the Play-In tournament, but you don't want to play with fire in back-to-back campaigns.

The Western Conference is absolutely stacked with more than 10 teams vying for a playoff spot, and the Lakers can't afford to fall too far behind in the standings. With Los Angeles trading at +2200 to win it all, there are much better bets further down the board. For example, there's the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are available at +3000 via DraftKings.

Recent NBA champions

NBA betting odds pages

NBA Championship FAQs

Who are the NBA Finals favorites?

The Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA championship in 2024.

Who won the NBA Finals last year?

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games during the 2023 NBA Finals, securing their first NBA title in franchise history.

When will the 2024 NBA Finals be decided?

The 2023 NBA Finals began on June 1, with Game 7 (not necessary) scheduled for June 18.

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