The Oklahoma City Thunder will tip off the new NBA season carrying a +200 price at ESPN BET to repeat as champions, the most aggressive preseason line for any club since the mid-2010s Golden State Warriors. Last October the Thunder started at +675 and went on to capture their first title since relocating from Seattle in 2008.
Loaded West keeps odds in check
While most operators post Oklahoma City between +200 and +250, Caesars Sportsbook has nudged the Thunder slightly longer. Lead basketball trader David Lieberman noted that the defending champions “showed a few cracks in the playoffs” and now face several improved Western Conference rivals.
Denver, aiming for a second ring behind Nikola Jokić, is attracting the heaviest money at both BetMGM (by ticket count) and ESPN BET (by handle), sitting at +650. The Los Angeles Lakers, priced at +1500, remain a top-three ticket seller thanks to Luka Dončić’s first full season in purple and gold. Other Western contenders include the Houston Rockets (+1400), Golden State Warriors (+2200) and Dallas Mavericks (+3300).
Lieberman added that the West’s depth explains the relatively generous numbers for many of its teams: a Finals berth is harder to secure, but the Western winner would likely be favored over whichever club emerges from the East.
East searches for a challenger
Only three of the 10 shortest championship prices belong to Eastern Conference teams. The Cavaliers lead that group at +650, followed by the New York Knicks (+1000) and the Orlando Magic (+1800). The Boston Celtics, who opened last year as overall favorites, have drifted to +3000 as Jayson Tatum rehabs a torn Achilles and the roster undergoes a partial reset.
Injuries to Tyrese Haliburton have pushed last season’s conference winner, the Indiana Pacers, out to +8000, while skepticism surrounds the Philadelphia 76ers at +3300. Some bettors are targeting long shots instead: Detroit is +1100 to win the East and owns the most tickets at BetMGM and the second-largest handle at ESPN BET. Overall, the sportsbook lists the West at –250 to capture the title versus +210 for the East.
Flagg separates from rookie field
No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg begins his Dallas Mavericks career as a commanding –225 favorite for Rookie of the Year at ESPN BET. SportsOddsHistory data indicates that no first-year player has opened shorter than –200 since at least 2006. Utah’s Ace Bailey and Washington’s Tre Johnson trail at no better than +750, and bookmakers say heavy action on Flagg has forced them to keep his price tight.
NBA Cup fuels early wagering
Basketball remains the second-largest betting sport in the United States after football, and operators report that the in-season NBA Cup helped lift handle during the football-dominated fall calendar. Lieberman said tournament games produced “an uptick” in wagers thanks to higher scoring and added stakes, while prime-time weeknight tipoffs continue to give the league an edge in visibility.
With a popular title favorite, a competitive Western pack and a highly touted rookie, bookmakers expect another robust year at the counter once the season begins.
Source: ESPN
