Thunder and Nuggets Still Dominate NBA Championship Odds
Thunder and Nuggets maintain their status as heavy favorites for the 2026 NBA title. Oklahoma City leads the way, while Denver remains second favorite despite heavy sportsbook exposure.
Jan 30, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
At the midpoint of the season, the hierarchy of favorites for the 2026 NBA Finals remains largely unchanged. The Oklahoma City Thunder maintain their position as the top favorite, while the Denver Nuggets hold their status as second favorite.
Denver, a Popular Bet Worrying Sportsbooks
The Denver Nuggets continue to attract massive betting action since the start of the season, accumulating the most wagers. Johnny Avello, director of DraftKings Sportsbook, recently told ESPN that Denver represents at least a minor liability for the establishment, given the volume of bets they have received.
With 16% of total wagers at DraftKings, the Nuggets match the Thunder in volume, but their slightly higher odds create greater risk for sportsbooks. David Lieberman, NBA lead at Caesars Sportsbook, explains that the decline in favorite odds has nonetheless limited excessive bet accumulation: « Teams with lower odds simply aren’t bet as much during the season. The liability doesn’t accumulate as much throughout the year. »
Cleveland Regains Credibility After Harden Arrival
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who shared third place with Denver in the preseason, have experienced spectacular ups and downs. After a difficult start to the season that caused their odds to drop at some establishments, the acquisition of James Harden from the LA Clippers in early February changed everything.
Since Harden‘s arrival, Cleveland has won all its games before the All-Star break and has regained the third position among favorites. This resurgence has convinced bettors, as the Cleveland Cavaliers attracted the second-highest number of championship bets in February, behind the San Antonio Spurs.
Other Eastern contenders, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, maintain their usual popularity with the public thanks to their status as historic franchises. DraftKings reports that New York dominates the betting market for the Eastern Conference, while ranking third behind Oklahoma City and Denver for the Finals.
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With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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