NBA Championship and Finals MVP Betting Lines: Lakers Shift Odds Against Rockets, Thunder Now Leading Favorites
The Los Angeles Lakers commenced the 2026 playoffs as 150-1 underdogs to secure the NBA Finals title following a poor conclusion to the regular season, compounded by significant injuries to top scorers Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). Nevertheless, LeBron James and his teammates propelled the Lakers to two wins at the start of their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, elevating their odds to 35-1 for the championship. The Rockets’ odds plummeted to 300-1 after they entered the postseason at approximately 60-1.
Los Angeles reached a peak of 12-1 to win the 2026 Finals and is considered one of the largest liabilities in the sportsbook landscape, with BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings all noting substantial betting activity in favor of the 17-time champions. The Lakers’ odds could further improve if Doncic or Reaves manage to return, with reports suggesting that Reaves may be available by the conclusion of the first round.
At the forefront of the odds, the Oklahoma City Thunder attained odds-on status following their Game 1 victory over the Phoenix Suns and are currently at -120 for the championship. Close behind, the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs both saw their odds lengthen from +550 to +650 after suffering losses in Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively. San Antonio entered the playoffs at +500 and was viewed as a significant liability for sportsbooks, prompting bettors to keep an eye on the concussion sustained by star player Victor Wembanyama.
In other developments, the Denver Nuggets experienced a shift in their title odds, moving to 11-1 from +900 pre-playoffs after losing Game 2 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who began the playoffs at 100-1, dropped to 150-1 after Game 1, and are now at 90-1 as they approach Game 3. The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-1) have seen a slight improvement since the postseason commenced, while the New York Knicks (22-1) and Detroit Pistons (28-1) have seen their odds lengthen following unsatisfactory starts.
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are accurate as of publication.
2025-26 NBA championship odds
Finals MVP odds leaderboard entering Round 1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder +115
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs +550
Jayson Tatum, Celtics 11-1
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets +850
Jaylen Brown, Celtics 13-1
Cade Cunningham, Pistons 22-1
Jalen Brunson, Knicks 25-1
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers 30-1
Jalen Williams, Thunder 40-1
Chet Holmgren, Thunder 40-1
James Harden, Cavaliers 50-1
Jamal Murray, Nuggets 60-1
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks 100-1
Jalen Duren, Pistons 100-1
Derrick White, Celtics 100-1
De’Aaron Fox, Spurs 100-1
Stephon Castle, Spurs 100-1
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers 140-1
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves 180-1
Luka Doncic, Lakers 150-1
Payton Pritchard, Celtics 150-1
Kevin Durant, Rockets 180-1
Jalen Johnson, Hawks 200-1
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers 180-1
Joel Embiid, 76ers 200-1
Alperen Sengun, Rockets 200-1
LeBron James, Lakers 250-1
Julius Randle, Timberwolves 600-1
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers 300-1
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets 300-1
