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LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so packed that its champion may be the genuine NBA Finals, a minimum of if all the betting money pouring in on those groups is any indication.

Of the top 7 prospective NBA champions that would be bad monetary news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six live in the West. Miami, at 200-1 odds, is the lone Eastern Conference group that the book would not be pleased see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"Seemingly, we're simply going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," stated Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading strategy supervisor.

Western Conference groups have won three of the past four championships, with Boston in 2024 the exception.

The top 2 favorites at BetMGM are safeguarding champ Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York City (9-1) are next.

"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But as of now, they're really one of our finest results. Like constantly, we're anticipating the Lakers to be a big liability. We're expecting the Warriors to be up there. We usually take a lot of Nuggets cash. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be an excellent team as well."

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) attempts to City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, second from right, as he trails behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on throughout the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that same type of patterns.

"The Nuggets, obviously with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," stated David Lieberman, Caesars' NBA sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are pretty always two of our greatest liabilities. Just popular groups for people to wager on."

CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated he anticipates this NBA season to end like last season.

"I believe Oklahoma City's clearly the team to beat," Marshall said. "They have actually got great depth and even with a couple of front line injuries, they can get over them. They're wearing a bigger target this year. I believe they're going to be similar as a year earlier."

The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to catch the award once again.

But, he has company.

Denver's Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic are next at each 3-1. Jokic is a three-time MVP. Doncic has actually never received the award, but he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, particularly with LeBron James missing the very first part of the season because of sciatica.

Voters tend to choose to provide the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who have not won the award just recently or at all.

"That's always the important things with awards," Egeland said. "It does not always go to who had the very best season. You need to price it as if you're choosing who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he must've won in 2015."

Jokic is the preferred at Caesars.

"I personally think Jokic must be the preferred," Lieberman said. "I believe there's an argument he most likely need to've won last year, however I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such a good year, I had no issue with him winning, however I think there's sort of a dominating thought that he won since the group's record was so great."

Marshall said he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to review the win overalls.

The Magic were particularly intriguing to him.

"I believe this is the team that may be all set to take off," Marshall said. "They had a lot of injury issues last year. ... They still made the playoffs."

He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), anticipating those team to go under. Marshall stated health concerns were an issue for all three clubs.

The Lakers are 16-1 to win the championship and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.

Both teams face their share of questions.

For the Lakers, it James' health along with whether this will be his final season. The NBA is examining whether the Clippers violated the income cap relating to an endorsement offer for Kawhi Leonard.

"I believe the biggest X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, because of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His schedule, you never ever understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a diversion? I do not know.

"The Lakers, you can pick up modification coming. I'm almost persuaded this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, but that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) last year. They just out-athleted them all over."

Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the top choice in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even notes him in minus area at -225.

The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.

While acknowledging Flagg deserves to be the favorite, Marshall also tempered expectations.

"I ´ m not actually sure how much of an impact Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall stated. "I think Dallas is not a threat this year. I just wear ´ t see it with them, and I wear ´ t think Flagg is going to be the superstar everybody thinks."

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) searches throughout the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doni (77) shoots between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) during the very first half of an NBA basketball video game, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives against Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)