Best Early Bets for the 2025 NBA Season

The 2023-24 NBA season ended two days ago when the Boston Celtics were awarded the Larry O'Brien trophy on Monday night after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 at home. In a relatively uneventful series, the Celtics dominated the NBA Finals winning 4-1 as the Mavericks looked unprepared, sluggish, and not on par with the Celtics’ roster and gameplan. The Celtics championship meant that the NBA has crowned a different champion every year since 2019. 

The ever-growing unpredictability in the NBA has made the past couple of seasons increasingly entertaining and competitive. With new crops of talent emerging every year with the domination of old players that, theoretically, should be past their prime, the NBA is nothing short of constant drama and fireworks. If the recent history of the NBA has anything to foretell, the 2024-25 NBA season should be one of excitement and eye-turning headlines. 

Vegas anticipates drama to ensue this upcoming season, releasing their odds for the 2024-25 NBA Championship. The Celtics remain the favorite to repeat as NBA champions with +300 odds while this year’s runner-ups, the Dallas Mavericks, are the fourth-favored team to win it all with +900 odds. 

Other notable insights from Vegas is their confidence in the Timberwolves who are the third-most likely to win the championship with +850 odds while they also remain high on the Milwaukee Bucks, who were given +1000 odds, despite their first-round playoff exit this year.

Vegas is notably not too confident in the Indiana Pacers, who were given +5000 odds to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy next June. This is even though the Pacers reached the finals of the inaugural In-Season Tournament last year and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.

Analyzing the betting lines, there are several best-value bets that gambling enthusiasts can take advantage of ahead of the next season. 

Oklahoma City Thunder +1000

The Thunder are currently undervalued with +1000 odds to win next year’s championship. Securing the No.1 seed in the highly competitive Western Conference was no easy feat for the second-youngest team in the NBA. Despite a disappointing second-round exit in the NBA playoffs, the Thunder should not be overlooked.

They have a highly talented roster led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. In addition to these stars, they have a deep roster and bench that is both highly athletic and physical, designed to dominate in the modern NBA. Coach of the Year recipient Mark Daigneault has some of the best tactics and player rotations in the league while executive Sam Presti has, in recent history, made some of the most savvy moves during free agency.

Don’t let their second-round exit dissuade you from betting on their success next season as they are sure to mature and be better prepared to win it all next year. 

Indiana Pacers +5000

The Pacers are a team to watch next season as they are coming off a very successful year. Entering this past season with little fanfare, the Pacers opened fans’ eyes with a very impressive In-Season Tournament with Tyrese Haliburton taking over games and leading the Pacers to the In-Season Tournament finals, before losing to LeBron James and the Lakers. Their high-octane offense led the league in offensive rating and their mid-season acquisition of Pascal Siakam significantly improved their team.

Upsetting the Bucks and Knicks in the NBA playoffs, the Pacers rode their momentum into the Eastern Conference Finals where they faced off against eventual NBA Champions Boston Celtics. With Siakam signing a four-year, $189.5 million max contract this morning to stay with the Pacers, Indiana is an enticing team to watch and bet on as a dark horse candidate that can win the NBA championship. 

Orlando Magic +8000

Vegas has given the Magic +8000 odds to win the NBA finals next year, lower odds than the Warriors and Kings who both lost in the Play-In tournament. The Magic, on the other hand, were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference this past season, taking the Cavaliers to seven games before losing the crucial Game 7 in Cleveland. A young team with untapped potential, there is no reason for the Magic to be this highly undervalued in the NBA market.

With stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic can take advantage of a strong free agency window to certify themselves in true contender conversations. Their stifling defense would be greatly supplemented with a shot-making wing like Klay Thompson, who has been linked to make a free-agency move to the Magic all season. Although the Magic are a long shot to win the tournament, the value in the bet makes it very attractive. 

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