This is the current favorite to be the 2025 NBA champion

The best time of year for NBA basketball fans has arrived – the postseason is here. The picture is starting to take shape in both conferences, but several teams still need to fight their way into the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament.

The top six teams in each conference have secured direct entry into the playoffs. Teams ranked seventh through tenth will battle for the final two spots via the Play-In – a high-stakes mini-tournament where every game could be their last.

Western Conference playoff picture

Eastern Conference playoff picture

Who are the NBA title favorites?

After claiming the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy last year, Boston is aiming for a repeat, heading into the playoffs among the favorites. They’re joined at the top by Oklahoma City and Cleveland.

The Thunder continue to shine this season, finishing atop the Western Conference with a commanding 68–14 record. They’ve led the West for most of the campaign and are determined to secure the top seed. Last year, their run ended in the conference semifinals against Dallas.

Boston enters the postseason with a decade of consistent success. They’ve reached the playoffs in each of the last ten seasons, and have made the conference finals in four of the past five.

The Cavaliers were the first team to clinch a playoff berth this year. They also captured the Central Division title for the first time since the 2017–18 season, and strung together two separate winning streaks of at least 15 games – an impressive feat. Last season, their journey ended in the conference semifinals at the hands of Boston in five games.

So, who is the current favorite to be crowned champion?

Championship odds (US sportsbooks)

• Oklahoma City Thunder | +175
• Boston Celtics | +200
• Cleveland Cavaliers | +525
• Los Angeles Lakers | +900
• Golden State Warriors | +1300
• Denver Nuggets | +2100

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