NBA Winner Odds Favorites Heading to Week 9

NBA Championship odds continue to show small fluctuations depending on how teams performed the following week. The Boston Celtics, because they’ve dominated for most of the season, remain a solid chalk to win the finals. Milwaukee is the outright second choice. The odds on Golden State took a significant drop to make Steph Curry and his mates the outright third choice. Check out updated NBA Championship Odds as well as favorite, smart, and long shot picks.

Updated 2023 NBA Championship Betting Odds After Week 8

2023 NBA Finals

When: Late May – June

Updated NBA Championship Odds

Boston Celtics +310

Milwaukee Bucks +480

Golden State Warriors +630

Phoenix Suns +800

L.A. Clippers +880

Denver Nuggets +1375

Brooklyn Nets +1375

Memphis Grizzlies +1775

New Orleans Pelicans +1925

Cleveland Cavaliers +2100

Philadelphia 76ers +2200

Dallas Mavericks +2700

Miami Heat +3100

Toronto Raptors +3600

Atlanta Hawks +4700

Los Angeles Lakers +5400

Portland Trail Blazers +5800

Minnesota Timberwolves +8500

Sacramento Kings +11000

Chicago Bulls +12000

Utah Jazz +17000

New York Knicks +18000

Washington Wizards +19000

Indiana Pacers +30000

Charlotte Hornets +46000

Oklahoma City Thunder +75000

San Antonio Spurs +90000

Orlando Magic +95000

Detroit Pistons +95000

Houston Rockets +95000

Favorite: Boston Celtics +310

Boston is 7-3 in their last ten as of Dec. 13, which is terrific. But the Bucks are 8-2 straight up in their last 10, which is why although Boston is the solid chalk at +310, Milwaukee’s odds have gone down to +480 from +600 and higher a couple of weeks ago.

Milwaukee has climbed to a game behind the Celtics because star Khris Middleton has returned to the lineup. With Middleton back draining threes and making life difficult for opposing defenders, the Bucks could end up the chalk over the Celtics.

That means that Boston is an underlay at +310. It’s early. So grabbing such low odds on a team to win the NBA Championship isn’t wise.

Smart: Denver Nuggets +1375

Surprising squads New Orleans and Memphis lead the Western Conference with 18-9 records. The Suns have fallen off the leaders by 2.5 games.

Denver is the third-place team. The Nuggets competed last season with Jamal Murray out due to an injury. Murray has had a massive impact, averaging over 18 points, over 5 assists, and close to 4 boards per game.

Nikola Jokic is working on a third straight NBA MVP. The best player in the league is close to averaging a triple-double with 23.8 points, 10.1 boards, and 9.1 assists per game.

If Michael Porter gets healthy, the Nuggets should boast one of the league’s best starting fives. Aaron Gordon can fly and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a solid shooting guard. The Nuggets also have a great bench led by DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown, and 14 points per game former VCU star point guard Bones Hyland.

Long Shot: Philadelphia 76ers +2200

Philly is 6 games behind Boston for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have played decent ball lately, winning three straight heading into their Dec. 16 throw down against Curry and the Dubs.

Philadelphia boasts a strong starting five led by the fantastic Joel Embiid. Once Tyrese Maxey returns, the 76ers will be at full strength. We shouldn’t discount their title chances because Maxey and James Harden have developed a nice rapport creating one of the league’s best backcourts.

Embiid is unstoppable. Adding P.J. Tucker has already provided dividends. The Sixers are under the radar and the odds are more than fair, making Philly a top long shot play.