The 2023-24 NBA season will feature a compelling chase for the championship, as a combination of old favorites and new contenders will create nearly endless excitement. Here, we look at the NBA championship odds for the season, and look at the favorites and some dark horse candidates to win the NBA Finals.
Current 2023-2024 NBA Championship Odds
Team | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOS | +380 | +225 | +220 | +225 | +220 |
MIL | +380 | +700 | +750 | +700 | +700 |
DEN | +550 | +325 | +290 | +330 | +310 |
PHO | +550 | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 | +2400 |
GS | +1300 | +3500 | +2500 | +4000 | +4200 |
LAL | +1300 | +3500 | +3000 | +3500 | +5000 |
DAL | +2500 | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 | +3200 |
LAC | +2700 | +550 | +550 | +550 | +550 |
PHI | +2700 | +3000 | +2800 | +3900 | |
CLE | +3000 | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 | +3400 |
MEM | +3000 | +100000 | +300000 | +100000 | +100000 |
MIA | +3000 | +3500 | +3500 | +3500 | +3200 |
NO | +4200 | +6600 | +6500 | +7500 | +6500 |
NY | +4600 | +3500 | +3000 | +3500 | +3400 |
SAC | +5000 | +6600 | +7000 | +7500 | +8000 |
MIN | +5500 | +3000 | +3500 | +3500 | +3200 |
OKC | +8000 | +1800 | +1600 | +2200 | +1900 |
ATL | +13000 | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 | +75000 |
BKN | +13000 | +100000 | +200000 | +100000 | +100000 |
TOR | +13000 | +100000 | +300000 | +100000 | +100000 |
NBA Championship Favorites
Boston Celtics
The favorite to win the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season is the Boston Celtics. Boston has the best record in the Eastern Conference to start the year, as they may be the best all-around team in the NBA right now. They are explosive offensively thanks to the great Jayson Tatum and the versatile Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom can score at all three levels. But it is their defense that really sets the Celtics apart and could make the difference for this team in the postseason.
Denver Nuggets
Last year’s champions are on the short list of NBA Finals favorites as well. The Denver Nuggets left no doubt that they were the best team in the NBA a season ago and they find themselves in the thick of the race to finish first in the Western Conference during the regular season this year. Their success this season will hinge on the health of key players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, who have already missed time early in the season for Denver. But with Nikola Jokic playing at an MVP level once again, the Nuggets are in great shape so far this year, even if they are facing stiff competition from young and hungry teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Milwaukee Bucks
This year’s Milwaukee Bucks team generated a ton of hype by trading for Damian Lillard just before the start of the season. The question now is whether or not they can live up to that hype. Milwaukee will be able to score in bunches all season long, but their defense will be the question mark for them as Lillard is not a good defender and there is a lot of improving to do on that end of the floor around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee has struggled since Doc Rivers took over as their head coach, but they are still in a good position to be among the last teams standing in the East.
LA Clippers
The final team in this year’s group of NBA Finals favorites at this stage of the season is the LA Clippers. This team is finally healthy, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both on the floor. They also have a ton of depth, with key role players like Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell doing a great job of augmenting what their stars can do. The future of this team will depend on the health of its top stars, but things are going very well so far in Los Angeles.
Other NBA Championship Contenders For 2024
There are some interesting teams with longer odds than the teams mentioned in the pack of favorites above as well. If the Phoenix Suns can get their act together with the trio of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker on the floor together, they could jump back into the pack of title favorites. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder are among the top teams in the West and don’t look like they are going anywhere.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks are a fascinating team in futures markets, as they are excellent on defense and have a legitimate closer in Jalen Brunson. At even longer odds, the Indiana Pacers now have a great duo in Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam that could make them a title contender. But the Philadelphia 76ers can’t be overlooked either, especially if Joel Embiid can get healthy in time for a late-season push.
2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction
For now, we will take the Denver Nuggets to repeat as NBA champions. They have the toughest player to guard in the NBA in Nikola Jokic, while their home-court advantage is the toughest in the NBA for opponents to overcome thanks to the elevation in Denver. Things could change in an instant with injuries in the NBA, but the Nuggets will almost certainly be one of the last teams standing in the NBA playoffs again this year.