With months away from the Finals, the winner for NBA 22/23 is still pretty much a fair game. People are getting ahead on the odds to place bets with the best potential payout. And you’ll need an NBA Finals Betting guide to do so.
Don’t worry, we can help you get started with some key info and NBA Finals prop bets ideas.
>> See the best NBA Championship odds
Latest NBA Finals Odds
- Milwaukee Bucks: +275
- Boston Celtics: +345
- Phoenix Suns: +500
- Denver Nuggets: +680
- Philadelphia 76ers: +900
- Golden State Warriors: +1090
- LA Clippers: +1340
- Memphis Grizzlies: +1510
- Los Angeles Lakers: +2670
- Dallas Mavericks: +2670
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +3100
- Sacramento Kings: +4800
- Miami Heat: +7200
- New York Knicks: +7700
- Minnesota Timberwolves +16900
Right now, many NBA teams still have a shot at winning the NBA Finals. Most teams still need to clinch a playoff berth formally, and some that many are counting out already haven’t even been officially eliminated from contention.
With such an open field of potential bets, you need to get smart when considering the NBA Finals odds and avoid making bets simply because your favorite team has solid underdog odds; you just “feel” it, and so on.
Below, we will analyze all the leading contenders for the NBA Finals in 2023.
Favorites to Win the NBA Championship
As it sits right now, about five teams have the best shot of winning the NBA championship. Here are each of these teams and their odds of winning the NBA Finals:
- Milwaukee Bucks: +275
- Boston Celtics: +345
- Phoenix Suns: +500
- Denver Nuggets: +680
- Philadelphia 76ers: +900
We recommend placing a bet on the Bucks or the Celtics if you want to set yourself up with a decent shot of success. However, the Suns, Nuggets, and Warriors have all been playing well and could be set to do some damage in the playoffs.
>> Bet on the Bucks to win the NBA 2023 Finals
Dark Horses to Win the NBA Championship
The fun thing about professional sports is that both sides always have the potential to best the other. This is why the players on both sides made it to the NBA in the first place. Here are some dark horse teams to keep an eye on heading into the playoffs:
- Golden State Warriors: +1090
- Los Angeles Clippers: +1340
- Memphis Grizzlies: +1510
- Los Angeles Lakers: +2670
- Dallas Mavericks: +2670
Betting on any of these teams to win the NBA Finals is not off the table – but still not recommended as a financial decision. One story you should keep is whether the Lakers make the playoffs and, if they do, whether LeBron James will play. If so, they could quickly bust oddsmakers’ predictions here.
>> Place your bet on any of these dark horses to win
Long Shots to Win the NBA Championship
Finally, there are some teams you should avoid to ensure you have a good shot at winnings after placing a bet on the NBA Finals. Here are some teams that we recommend avoiding:
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +3100
- Sacramento Kings: +4800
- Miami Heat: +7200
- New York Knicks: +7700
- Minnesota Timberwolves +16900
Now, it’s important to note right away that these teams can, at writing, still make the playoffs. Therefore, it is still feasible that they can also win the NBA Finals. We just don’t think that this will happen.
>> Want to take a shot at these long shots? Place your bets at Bovada
Other NBA bets you can make:
Best NBA Finals Betting Strategy
There has never been and never will be such a thing as a perfect bettor. Everybody wins and loses in the gambling industry. Most of us lose more than we win. If it weren’t this way, sportsbooks would struggle to stay in business.
We say all this because we want you to understand there is no foolproof strategy for betting on NBA Finals. That said, there are some strategies that you can use to boost your chances of success.
NBA Finals Futures Betting Strategy
As the NBA season is close to the end, fans that have been carefully observing all the top players and teams advance past their respective divisions into the playoff bracket can pretty much tell which teams will do well and which ones won’t. ‘
The two most significant factors that often indicate who will win a championship are the team’s winning percentage and whether or not there are one or more superstars.
Using this rationale, the number one player in the league right now is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets – also likely set to win his third straight NBA MVP award. At writing, the Bucks had the highest winning percentage – 71.4%. The Bucks also have a star player in Giannis Antetokounmpo – making them the best bet.
When making bets, account for the team’s winning percentage and whether they have one or more star players. Teams without a good winning percentage and a star player do not historically tend to win the NBA Finals.
>> Think the Bucks has what it takes to win the NBA Finals 2023? Bet on them at BUSR.
NBA Finals Betting Strategy
Once we make it to the NBA Finals, many people remark that the better team will often win. After all, it’s hard not to put forth a reasonable effort in a best-of-seven series. Therefore, you should always place confident bets once we make it to the Finals. Typically, betting for the favorite team is the best idea (they have been 8-5 since 2010).
One good strategy is to look at the previous matchups between both teams during the regular season. Typically, teams will have played each other at least twice. If one team won by a blowout both times, it may be safe to bet on them to win.
If there is limited data to work with, things can get trickier. Use the same ideas above, and consider who the star player(s) on each team is and what the team’s winning percentage is. When in doubt – go with the team with the better star player and winning percentage.
For example, imagine the Chicago Bulls playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls came into the series with a 75% winning percentage and had Michael Jordan in his prime. If the Lakers have a 73% winning percentage and also have Kevin Durant, we would pick the Bulls with a high level of confidence.
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Types of NBA Finals Bets
There are various types of bets that you might consider placing when the NBA Finals come around. Read up on all the different types of NBA Finals bets that you can make before signing up at an online sportsbook.
Moneyline
This is the most common type of bet that people will place for the NBA Finals games. Heading into each game of the series, you can place moneyline bets on either team. These are bets on a particular group to win the game of that series.
It would be best not to confuse moneyline bets with futures market bets. If you place a bet that the Bucks will play the NBA Finals, for example, rather than just one particular game of the series, you are making a futures bet, not a moneyline bet.
>> Place moneyline bets at MyBookie
Spread
Spread bets are a fun idea to consider during each NBA Finals game – especially if you are familiar with both teams. You are betting on the margin of victory when placing a spread bet. If you know a team is set to blow out their opponent, this is often a good bet to consider placing.
>> Check the spread bets at Everygame
Over/Under
When betting on the NBA, you may have a hunch that there will be a high-scoring or particularly low-scoring game. If so, you will want to place bets on the over or under lines.
When oddsmakers are getting their lines ready, they will have vast datasets to help them anticipate how many points will be scored in the game. You will use this baseline when placing bets for over or under.
>> Find the best over/under lines at XBet
Prop Bets
There are always bound to be many exciting stories throughout the NBA Championship. Players who triumph throughout the postseason often find themselves with impressive stat lines to live up to, for example. Betting on individual stats and occurrences that don’t necessarily impact a game’s outcome are known as NBA Finals prop bets.
For example, imagine you want to bet that LeBron James will get a triple-double in a matchup. This is a common prop bet for NBA Finals betting. When combined, prop bets can also create parlays, boosting your odds and winnings if all bets are successful.
>> Get on the prop bets at Thunderpick
Live Betting
You might be most interested in the live NBA Finals lines if you want to watch the game and find bets to place while each NBA Championship game is underway. These might be things like who will score a particular number of points first, who will win each quarter, and more.
You might also notice that you can place popular bets like moneyline and over/under bets when placing live bets. Remember that these odds are skewed when placing them live – since they will change right after tipoff and the first points.
>> Find the best live betting odds at BetUS
Futures Market
Next up, there are often many different NBA Future markets for the playoffs. Some of these are the winner, the NBA Finals MVP, which division the Finals winner is from, who the coach of the year is, and more. When placing bets on future events still yet to occur, you are betting in the futures markets.
>> Check out the NBA Futures at Sportsbetting
Best Sites for NBA Finals Betting
MyStake: This is the best place to go if you want the most competitive NBA Finals odds and betting selection. Sign up and get a nice 100% bonus on your first deposit – up to $1000.
BetOnline: This should be the first place to go if you want the best prop builder. For each NBA Finals matchup, vast lists of special parlays and props are added to the betting options. Use the code “BOL1000” during signup to claim a 50% sports bonus up to $1000.
Bovada: Those who want to avoid strict bonus terms while still getting great NBA Finals odds should come to Bovada first. You can use the bonus code “BTCSWB750” to get a bonus of up to $750 – with low 5x wagering requirements.
BUSR: No other online sportsbook for the NBA Finals has a welcome bonus as big as the one we find here. As a new user, you can get a 150% bonus on your first deposit and up to $2500 in bonus cash. There is a high 20x wagering requirement for this offer, though.
MyBookie: The last-minute featured odds here at MyBookie will often give users a great deal on bets they can’t find anywhere else. You can use the bonus code “MYB50” when making your first deposit to get a 50% bonus and up to $1000 in bonus bets with fair 10x wagering.
EveryGame: Those on the hunt for awesome sports bonuses should check out the excellent bonus here at EveryGame. With up to $750 in bonuses throughout your first three deposits and low 4x wagering requirements, many consider this site the best place for bonus bets.
XBet: We think that this is the best place to go if you are after the best live betting experience for the NBA Finals. The odds for live bets also outperform what we find at other top sports betting sites for the NBA Finals. Get up to $500 in bonus bets when you sign up for an account.
Thunderpick: When we match up the interface quality and user feedback on the quality of the betting experience, Thunderpick is constantly ranked as a top contender in the industry. Register for an account and get up to about $550 in bonuses.
BetUS: This should be your go-to site if you are a crypto player looking to get the biggest bang for your buck. As a new player, you can get a 200% combined cryptocurrency bonus here – after using the bonus code “JOIN200.”
Sportsbetting.ag: This is a solid site to sign up for if you want to access nice bonuses and consistent reload bonuses of up to 35%. Best of all, you can take advantage of this reload bonus anytime.
How to Sign Up at NBA Finals Betting Sites
You might need additional assistance if you are new to placing NBA Finals prop bets, moneyline bets, or any bet for the NBA finals. Here is how to sign up and activate a bonus at MyStake.
1. Head to MyStake
- Click here to go to MyStake
- Select “Sign Up” to make an account
- Fill out the signup form
2. Claim Your Bonus
- Log into your account
- Head to the “Promotions” tab
- Select “Deposit” next to “Welcome Sports Bonus.”
3. Deposit & Receive Bonus Bets
- Finish your deposit
- Receive bonus bets
- Click “Sports” to head to sportsbook
- Select “Basketball” & then “NBA.”
- Place your NBA Finals bets
Looking for more betting markets? Check out these betting guides:
Guide to Placing NBA Finals Bets
Who Is the Betting Favorite To Win the NBA Finals?
As it sits right now, the Milwaukee Bucks are the frontrunner favorite to win the NBA Finals.
How to Bet on the 2023 NBA Finals?
The first thing you need to do is inform yourself about the top teams, the latest stories, and the NBA Finals betting sites with the best odds. This way, you can place bets confidently. For best results, start by understanding all the different types of NBA Finals bets – such as futures, moneyline, over/under, props, etc.
Then, learn how to read odds to check out betting lines and get a feel for which bets seem plausible. Finally, take advantage of welcome bonuses like the $500 welcome bonus available at MyStake.
How Do NBA Finals Odds Work?
Since NBA is a USA-based sports league, we will often find that the odds for NBA Finals bets are published in American odds format. Essentially, American odds can be ready by first seeing whether the number is positive or negative.
Negative odds imply the bet is favored, whereas positive odds are less favored. To read positive odds, consider you are placing a $100 bet. If you place a $100 bet on +250 odds, your winnings will be $250.
Similarly, those who place bets on negative odds must keep $100 in mind. Imagine you are betting on a line with -1200 odds. To win $100 on your bet, you must stake at least $1200.
Why Bet on the NBA Finals Online?
If you are used to placing bets at your local sportsbook, the prospect of betting online might be intimidating to you. Here are some top reasons you should place NBA Finals bets online.
Convenience: Nobody likes to waste time. Instead of driving to the sportsbook, just turn on your computer. It will save you a lot of time and gas money.
Extra Bets: We all love to have additional bets to work with. This way, we can boost our chances of getting some winnings. When you bet on the NBA Finals online, you will immediately access a higher set of betting options.
More Markets: If you head to your local sportsbook to place NBA Championship bets, you will likely get stuck with the same betting options, like moneyline and spread. However, when you bet online, you access many betting options and markets not found elsewhere.
Why MyStake is the Best Sportsbook For the NBA Finals
If you are still unconvinced about the best NBA Finals sports betting site, we recommend checking out MyStake first.
Nice Bonus: You will likely never get to place up to $500 in free bets just for walking in and pulling out your wallet at the local sportsbook. After depositing MyStake, you will get a 100% bonus of up to $500!
The Best Odds: Next up, you deserve to get the best possible odds when placing your NBA Finals bets. This is why we recommend going to MyStake first. You will get access to the best odds for futures, props, and individual game bets at MyStake.
Many Betting Options: Finally, no other NBA Finals betting site will give you as many solid betting options, props, parlays, futures, and more. Therefore, those who want the highest selection of bets should come here first.
NBA Finals Betting Tips
Finally, here are some of the top tips to keep in mind before placing NBA Finals bets.
- Take advantage of welcome bonuses
- Learn how to read American odds
- Know which teams & players are hot
- Place favorites on teams with star players
- Keep the team’s total winning percentage in mind
Ready to Bet On NBA Finals Games?
If you want to place a futures bet on the NBA Finals, we recommend placing a futures bet on the Milwaukee Bucks at MyStake. The Celtics and Nuggets are good additional options to consider. Finally, if LeBron James starts playing again and the Lakers clinch the playoffs, they could quickly make some noise.
Wherever you decide to place your NBA Finals bets and which team to bet on, never forget to gamble responsibly. This includes depositing money you can afford, never chasing losses, and seeking help if it starts to impact your personal life.
DISCLAIMER: 18+ only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this review may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local gambling policies. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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