NBA Winner Odds Smart Pick, Long Shot Option

The National Basketball Association is almost at the season’s halfway point. So far this season, the one constant has been Boston’s favoritism to win rings. The Celtics are at +360 this week, which are the same odds the C’s offered last week to win the title. Check out updated NBA Championship Odds for some of the other contenders. Also, see below for this week’s favorite, smart, and longshot plays to win the NBA Championship.

Updated 2023 NBA Championship Betting Odds After Week 11 Action

2023 NBA Finals

When: Late May – June

Updated NBA Championship Odds

Boston Celtics +360

Milwaukee Bucks +650

Golden State Warriors +1400

Phoenix Suns +1400

L.A. Clippers +950

Denver Nuggets +1300

Brooklyn Nets +800

Memphis Grizzlies +1200

New Orleans Pelicans +2000

Cleveland Cavaliers +2000

Philadelphia 76ers +1800

Dallas Mavericks +3600

Miami Heat +4200

Toronto Raptors +6500

Atlanta Hawks +7000

Los Angeles Lakers +10000

Portland Trail Blazers +8000

Minnesota Timberwolves +12000

Sacramento Kings +16000

Chicago Bulls +30000

Utah Jazz +25000

New York Knicks +20000

Washington Wizards +50000

Indiana Pacers +49000

Charlotte Hornets +100000

Oklahoma City Thunder +100000

San Antonio Spurs +100000

Orlando Magic +80000

Detroit Pistons +100000

Houston Rockets +100000

Favorite: Boston Celtics +360

At the time of this writing, the Celtics are on a 2-game losing streak, which might explain why their odds didn’t move an inch from last week.

The good news if you like Boston is that both losses happened on the road. Losing to Denver, one of the best teams in the NBA, is nothing to worry about. The Nuggets beat the Celtics 123-111.

But Boston’s second loss might be cause for concern. The Celtics fell 150-117 to Oklahoma City. The Thunder is an okay but not great team. Giving up 150 points to OKC isn’t good.

Watch how the Celtics play in their Jan. 5 game versus the Dallas Mavericks. If Boston bounces back, and you like them, grab the +360.

Smart: Brooklyn Nets +800

As of Jan. 3, the Brooklyn Nets are a half a game behind the Celtics for the Eastern Conference’s top spot. Brooklyn is playing lights out, going 10-0 straight up in their last 10.

The drama appears to be behind the Nets. Kyrie hasn’t said anything controversial in at least a month. Not only that, but Ben Simmons is much more effective at his power forward position than he was playing the point for the Sixers.

By starting Ben at power forward, Kevin Durant can play small forward. Simmons is shooting close to 60% from the field. Irving is dishing like no tomorrow and everything is copasetic in Jersey.

Longshot: Cleveland Cavaliers +2000

Fourth place Cleveland is just 2 games behind the Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell made headlines earlier in the week when going for 71 in a 145-134 win over the Chicago Bulls.

The 71 was the most points scored by a single player since Kobe scored 81 in a 2006 game. Mitchell’s 71 proves that when he’s hot, he’s as good as anyone in the league.

The Cavaliers are much more than just Donovan Mitchell, though. Cleveland hasn’t climbed to a couple of games from the Eastern Conference’s top spot solely because of Donovan. The reason to like the Cavs this week is because, no doubt, their odds will fall next week. If you believe, pull the trigger before the expected odds drop.