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

Oklahoma City Thunder (+110)

• • 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 30-7 Thunder started the season 24-1, and many were wondering if they would win 75 games. OKC has gone 6-6 since then, starting with a loss to San Antonio in the NBA Cup semifinals. They were blown out 124-97 at home by lowly Charlotte on January 5^th.

The @hornets beat the Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by 27 points in Oklahoma City tonight.

Never in NBA history had a team faced the reigning champs and the reigning MVP in a road game and won by that much. pic.twitter.com/m6WF5qdZvV

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 6, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is second in the league in scoring with 31.6 points, but the NBA MVP odds favorite might be feeling the burden of carrying the team offensively. Jalen Williams is still working himself into form after missing the first 19 games of the season. Chet Holmgren’s three-point shooting has dropped off. Isaiah Hartenstein has been out since December 28^th, and the Thunder miss his passing.

Still, the Thunder are fifth in offensive rating, and lead the league in defensive rating by 5.2 points per 100 possessions over Detroit. I’ve seen enough of the Thunder to respect their pedigree. While they’re not historically great anymore, I still believe the Thunder are the best team in the NBA. They’re well-deserving of being the favorite in the NBA championship odds.

Denver Nuggets (+900)

• • 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 still hanging around at 24-12. But Nikola Jokić has dropped off the board in the NBA MVP odds after a knee injury suffered on December 29^th. In the next game, Jonas Valanciunas strained his calf.

The Nuggets are banged up ahead of their game vs. the Sixers 🤕

Aaron Gordon (hamstring)
Christian Braun (ankle)
Tim Hardaway Jr (illness)
Jamal Murray (ankle)
Cam Johnson (knee)
Nikola Jokić (knee)
Jonas Valančiūnas (calf) pic.twitter.com/opfQv2JRgl

— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) January 5, 2026

Aaron Gordon is back, but the Nuggets are being careful with him after returning from another hamstring injury. Jamal Murray sprained his ankle, while Christian Braun, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Cam Johnson are all battling various ailments.

The Nuggets are simply in survival mode until they get healthy, especially Jokić, who will be out until February, at least, but probably longer. A healthy Denver team is a problem for anyone in the league, and getting everyone back should be the main goal for the Nuggets.

San Antonio Spurs (+950)

• Head Coach: Mitch Johnson
• 2024-25 Record: 34-48 (Missed Playoffs)
• NBA Titles: 5
• Key Players: Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle

The 25-11 Spurs have taken advantage of Denver’s health issues to rise to second in the West, but they have their own problems. Victor Wembanyama was back on the sidelines with a knee injury, although he returned in a 106-105 loss in Memphis with 30 points. Devin Vassell also looks to miss some time with an adductor strain.

Wemby is allowed to do this during warmups but he can’t play down the stretch as the Spurs blow a lead because of a “minutes restriction.” Make it make sense! pic.twitter.com/NzQ9ZOtjWU

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) January 7, 2026

Their success tied directly to Wembanyama, however. The Spurs were bringing him off the bench, and “Wemby” had recently returned to the starting lineup, but he came off the bench against Memphis. San Antonio is leaning heavily on De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, while rookie Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie have also stepped up.

However, the Spurs need their star on the court to keep moving up the board in the NBA championship odds!

Houston Rockets (+1100)

• 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 22-11 Rockets were staying relatively healthy, but now Alperen Şengün will miss two weeks with an ankle injury. However, as long as Kevin Durant stays healthy, the Rockets should be fine.

Siri, play “made for this” by Gunna 😤 pic.twitter.com/TV4rRf9Lc9

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 6, 2026

The 37-year-old is playing his best basketball of the season to start January, and he’s averaging 25.7 points overall. He’s his usual efficient self, shooting 52% from the field, 40.4% from beyond the arc, and 89.7% from the free-throw line. He already has two 50/40/90 seasons, and Durant looks like this will be his third!

But Amen Thompson has stepped up offensively, although he’s shooting a miserable 19.2% from three-point land. Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard can make that up, along with Tari Eason. But with Durant leading the way, Houston’s NBA title odds offer tremendous value right now!

Boston Celtics (+2000)

• • Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla
  • 2024-25 Record: 61-21 (Lost in Conference Semifinals)
  • NBA Titles: 18
  • Key Players: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard

The Celtics are, inexplicably, 23-12, as many figured this was a lost season without Jayson Tatum. Nevertheless, they’re second in the league in offensive rating, and Jaylen Brown has entered the chat as an MVP candidate. The former Finals MVP is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while also guarding the other team’s best player. He’ll tell you about it, too.

Best 2 way player in the game

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) December 31, 2025

Can the Celtics sustain this run? Tatum could feasibly return by the end of the season from his Achilles injury, and that’s what makes the Celtics an intriguing option in these NBA title betting odds. Boston does need to improve defensively, but if Tatum returns to team up with Brown? We’ve seen what they can do before.

Detroit Pistons (+2000)

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

The Pistons are 27-9, second to only OKC, and the NBA championship odds are finally starting to show them some respect, as they were +4000 at the end of November. Cade Cunningham is moving up the MVP ladder, averaging 26.7 points, 9.6 assists, and 6.3 boards.

CADE CUNNINGHAM TONIGHT:

29 POINTS
13 ASSISTS
3 REBOUNDS
2 BLOCKS
1 STEAL
11/17 FGM
3/4 3PM
+23 +/-

ONLY 29 MINUTES. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/UgNp3LIGuT

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 6, 2026

Detroit is one of five teams in the NBA in the top 10 of both offensive and defensive rating, ranking eighth offensively, and second defensively. They’re a physical team at both ends, although I’d like to see them get one more scorer to take some pressure off Cunningham. But the Pistons are for real, and they’re going to be a tough playoff opponent.