2025-26 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions: Can Anyone Stop OKC?

Oklahoma City Thunder (+175)

• • Head Coach: Mark Daigneault
  • 2024-25 Record: 68-14 (Won NBA title)
  • NBA Titles: 2 (1 as Seattle Supersonics)
  • Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams

The Thunder are absolutely dominating the NBA right now! They’re 17-1, ranking fourth in offensive rating, and first in defensive and overall net rating. They’re far and away the best defensive team in the NBA.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defense is in a league of its own right now pic.twitter.com/YFdmS6LMtk

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) November 24, 2025

OKC’s +12.87 point differential from last season is the NBA record. Through their first 18 games of the 2025-26 season, the Thunder’s point differential is +16.9! Jalen Williams still hasn’t played this season because of a wrist injury, but the Thunder can afford to let him fully recover and ease into the lineup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still battling with Denver’s Nikola Jokić in the NBA MVP odds, and he’s tied for second in the league at 32.2 points per game. But the Thunder are even deeper than last season. They have six players averaging double digits in scoring, and every single player on the team is a plus defender. Who can stop the Thunder from a repeat championship? I think their NBA championship price of +175 is a bargain.

Denver Nuggets (+500)

• • Head Coach: David Adelman
  • 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Lost Western Conference Semifinals)
  • NBA Titles: 1
  • Key Players: Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson

The Nuggets are trying to keep pace with OKC, going 13-4 in their first 17 games. Jokić is now the MVP favorite to win it for the fourth time, averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 boards, 11.1 assists, and 1.6 steals.

JOKER FROM THE LOGO TO BEAT THE BUZZER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wEZSOUc7gR

— NBA (@NBA) November 25, 2025

Jamal Murray is healthy, which is a plus for the Nuggets. However, they’ll need more from him now, as Aaron Gordon will be out for at least 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. Gordon has been terrific to start the season, but he’ll be a big loss for Denver.

As long as “Joker” is playing how he is, the Nuggets have a shot. They’re appropriately priced in these 2025-26 NBA title odds, but they have to stay afloat while Gordon is out.

Houston Rockets (+850)

• Head Coach: Ime Udoka
• 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Lost in First Round)
• NBA Titles: 2
• Key Players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson

The 11-4 Rockets could overtake the Nuggets on the board, thanks to the league’s best offense. They’re first in offensive rating, just ahead of Denver, and Houston is also fifth in defensive rating. They trail OKC in net rating by 5.5 points, but they gave the Thunder their toughest game of the season in the opener, and that’s counting OKC’s only loss.

ever seen a big man move like this? 🕺@alperennsengun pic.twitter.com/7PletOba5i

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 25, 2025

Kevin Durant is missing games due to personal issues, while Steven Adams and Dorian Finney-Smith have ankle issues. But Alperen Şengün has been fantastic, averaging 22.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. He’s living up to his “Baby Jokic” moniker, and it opens things up for the rest of the team.

Reed Sheppard (47.1%) and Tari Eason (50.9%) are both hitting three-pointers at an outlandish rate, while Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. have also been excellent. I think the Rockets’ NBA title odds should be closer to the Nuggets, and I think they have a deeper team when healthy. I believe there is great value in their +850 odds!

Los Angeles Lakers (+1100)

• Head Coach: J.J. Redick
• 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Lost in First Round)
• NBA Titles: 18
• Key Players: Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves

The Lakers are 13-4 and now have LeBron James back in the lineup after sciatica issues. The 40-year-old has averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in his first three games.

Another NBA Cup win ✔️ pic.twitter.com/eWjPk5oNha

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 26, 2025

It’s going to be interesting to see how the trio of James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves works out. They combined for 99 points in a 135-118 win over the Clippers, and it seems like James is happy to be a facilitator who can score when needed. Doncic leads the league with 35.2 points per game, while adding 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds. Reaves is averaging 27.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

I love the Lakers’ NBA championship odds at +1100, as I think their offensive IQ is extremely high, and I would like to see this team at full strength against the West’s best. Deandre Ayton is currently out with a knee injury, but he has been good so far. I don’t know if they can beat OKC, Denver, or Houston in a series. But with this trio, I’d give them a puncher’s chance!

Golden State Warriors (+1200)

• • Head Coach: Steve Kerr
  • 2024-25 Record: 48-34 (Lost in Second Round)
  • NBA Titles: 7
  • Key Players: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green

I’m skeptical of the Warriors’ NBA championship odds being this high. They’re 10-9, and they’re 22^nd in offensive rating. They depend heavily on Stephen Curry, who is averaging 28.8 points a game. Jimmy Butler is next at 19.9 points, although he is shooting 53% from the field.

Jonathan Kuminga continues to be inconsistent for the Warriors, while Moses Moody and Brandon Podziemski are prone to making boneheaded plays. Draymond Green is still the defensive linchpin, but 39-year-old Al Horford is finally starting to look his age, and he also has sciatica.

Can a 37-year-old Curry lift the Warriors? I’m not sure that he can, and the Warriors may have to make a big move by the trade deadline on February 5, or preferably, before that.

New York Knicks (+1600)

• • Head Coach: Mike Brown
  • 2024-25 Record: 51-31 (Lost in Conference Finals)
  • NBA Titles: 2
  • Key Players: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges

I’m taking the Knicks over Cleveland (+1100) for their NBA betting value, but also, I just think New York is better. They’re 10-6, and have the third-best attack in the NBA by offensive rating, led by Jalen Brunson’s 28.3 points and 6.5 assists.

I’d still like to see more out of Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 22.3 points and 12.4 rebounds. OG Anunoby is out with a hamstring injury, so there should be plenty of shots for “KAT” and Mikal Bridges, who is shooting 41.8% from beyond the arc.

The Knicks are 17^th in defensive rating, so there needs to be improvement on that end of the floor. But I think the Knicks are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and should be above the Warriors in the NBA title odds.

Detroit Pistons (+4000)

• • Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff
  • 2024-25 Record: 44-38 (Lost in First Round)
  • NBA Titles: 2
  • Key Players: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson

I don’t know if the Pistons are a title-winning team. But they’re 15-2 and have won 13 games in a row! They’re one of five teams in the top ten of both offensive and defensive ratings. The Pistons are eighth on the offensive end, and third defensively.

Cade Cunningham is averaging 27.1 points, 9.6 assists, and 6.0 boards. However, the Pistons have eight players averaging at least 10.6 points, and Caris LeVert is just outside with 9.8 points. Jaden Ivey is also working his way back from injury.

I don’t think Detroit can sustain this pace, but their defense should keep them in the mix. I have questions about their offense and the load Cunningham carries. But at +4000, the Pistons’ NBA championship odds are worth a look!

Orlando Magic (+4000)

• • Head Coach: Jamahl Mosley
  • 2024-25 Record: 41-41 (Lost in First Round)
  • NBA Titles: 0
  • Key Players: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane

After a slow start, the Magic are 11-8 and starting to get their act together. Franz Wagner is putting up 22.9 points to lead the Magic, who are moving up the board to 13^th in defensive rating. Desmond Bane is also starting to get comfortable in the Orlando offense, and his three-pointers are starting to fall.

But what’s the problem with Paolo Banchero? After averaging 25.9 points in an injury-plagued 2024-25 season, the former Duke product is averaging 21.7 and shooting 25% from beyond the arc. If the Magic are going to take the next step, they need Banchero to step up and be the star we thought he would be.