Because the 2024/25 NBA season will get underway, it’s pretty clear that the consensus choose for the NBA Championship stays the Boston Celtics. The 18-time champions are the clear favorites to make it to quantity 19 in June, and with good motive: The Celtics have introduced again everybody on the roster who contributed to a dominant season final time round.
In fact, it’s not a provided that the Celtics repeat. The likes of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks have all been cited as potential spoilers for Boston’s quest for 19. Their odds recommend that sportsbooks really feel the potential is there, too.
But, for some groups, we predict sportsbooks might need gotten it a bit fallacious. We aren’t saying they’re undoubtedly going to win the NBA Championship, however that their odds really feel like they’re a bit too excessive for groups which have real Playoff ambitions. Let’s take a look at 5 groups who can defy lengthy odds, beginning with a bona fide championship contender:
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are priced at +1000 in DraftKings’ present NBA odds to win all of it this season. Will they? Who is aware of? However this can be a excellent staff that made some sensible strikes within the offseason. With 56 wins, the Wolves regarded first rate all through the Playoffs. Sure, it was a disappointment towards the Mavs within the Western Convention Finals, however there may be an argument to be made that Minnesota obtained the higher a part of the Karl-Anthony Cities commerce by touchdown Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. In Anthony Edwards, they’ve an MVP-caliber star on the rise. They’re completely within the body and will arguably be a fraction shorter within the odds, in our view.
Memphis Grizzlies
56 wins in 2021/22. 51 wins in 2022/23. 27 wins in 2023/24. You possibly can see that final season was a stinker for the Grizzlies, nevertheless it was one which was characterised by an all-time unhealthy degree of harm woes. Solely two gamers began over 40 video games throughout the season, and key items like Derrick Rose, Marcus Sensible, and Ja Morant managed solely 36 begins between them. If the Grizzlies keep wholesome, they’ll be again within the combine, and odds of +3000 to win the NBA Championship appear a lot too excessive for a staff with their ceiling.
LA Lakers
The Lakers’ most well-liked beginning 5 had a win share of 75% final season. Sure, Lebron is pushing 40 and is the oldest lively participant within the NBA, but he and his teammates have sufficient to drag one out of the bag within the 2024/25 season. Look, it will be one thing of a minor miracle for the Lakers’ to defy odds of +4000 to win all of it, however a run deep into the Playoffs just isn’t past them.
Orlando Magic
A very thrilling staff at enormous odds of +6500 to win an unlikely NBA Championship. Once more, we don’t suppose they’re fairly prepared but, however these odds are a lot too lengthy for a staff that’s on the up and up. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope boosts a roster already brimming with youthful potential, and we predict Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero may proceed their trajectory as stars of the long run. Whereas it’s in all probability too quickly to be speaking about Championships, we’d rule out an Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder-like breakout season to place them on the map.
Cleveland Cavaliers
A whole lot of pundits imagine we’re all sleeping on the Cavs this yr. Can we agree with them? Not wholly, however there’s a sure logic to the competition. In essence, the argument is {that a} new head coach, with Kenny Atkinson changing JB Bickerstaff, and the truth that a number of of the roster are coming into their prime, when it comes to age no less than. Once more, odds of +6000 recommend that sportsbooks imagine a Championship is out of attain, however the Cavs could possibly be the shock package deal within the Jap Convention this season.
