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<br>LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Western Conference is so loaded that its championship might be the real NBA Finals, at least if all the betting money gathering on those teams is any indication.<br><br><br>Of the top seven potential NBA champions that would be bad financial news for BetMGM Sportsbook, six reside in the West. Miami, at 200-1 chances, is the only Eastern Conference group that the book would not be happy see hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy.<br><br><br>"Seemingly, we're just going to be cheering for whoever comes out of the East," said Halvor Egeland, [https://gratisafhalen.be/author/bessiecouls/ BetMGM trading] strategy manager.<br><br><br>Western Conference teams have won three of the past four championships, with Boston in 2024 the exception.<br><br><br>The top two  at BetMGM are protecting champion Oklahoma City (+240) and 2023 champ Denver (+550 ). Eastern Conference teams Cleveland (+750) and New York (9-1) are next.<br><br><br>"Obviously, the Knicks, if they make a big run, our liability grows," Egeland stated. "But as of now, they're in fact one of our finest results. Like always, we're expecting the Lakers to be a big liability. We're anticipating the Warriors to be up there. We generally take a lot of Nuggets money. We're live in Colorado, and personally, I believe they're going to be an excellent team as well."<br><br><br>Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) tries to navigate Oklahoma City Thunder [https://www.vennkimya.com/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_category_id=2&journal_blog_post_id=1 center Isaiah] Hartenstein, second from right, as he routes behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) searches throughout the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)<br><br><br>Caesars Sportsbook is seeing that same type of patterns.<br><br><br>"The Nuggets, certainly with their offseason, they took some heavy action early," said David Lieberman, [https://www.zheldor.xn----7sbbrpcrglx8eea9e.xn--p1ai/thao70e771220 Caesars' NBA] sports lead. "The Warriors and Lakers are quite constantly two of our most significant liabilities. Just popular groups for people to bank on."<br><br><br>CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated he expects this NBA season to end like last season.<br> <br><br>"I believe Oklahoma City's clearly the team to beat," Marshall stated. "They've got excellent depth and even with a couple of cutting edge injuries, they can overcome them. They're wearing a larger target this year. I believe they're going to be similar as a year back."<br><br><br>The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ruling MVP and is the favorite at BetMGM at +260 to catch the award once again.<br><br><br>But, he has [https://suachuamaybienap.com/index.php/User:NXWPasquale business].<br><br><br>[http://121.41.2.713000/thurmanzsa567 Denver's Nikola] Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic are next at each 3-1. Jokic is a three-time MVP. Doncic has actually never ever gotten the award, however he figures to be the focus of LA's offense, specifically with [https://www.seenitlikethis.com/@elidascarfe920?page=about LeBron James] [http://121.40.40.2233000/azgsalvatore78/the-bet-9ja-promotion-code-this-2026-is-yohaig/wiki/The+Bet9ja+promo+code+this+2026+is+YOHAIG missing] the first part of the season since of sciatica.<br><br><br>Voters tend to choose to provide the advantage of the doubt on close races to those who haven't won the award just recently or at all.<br><br><br>"That's constantly the thing with awards," Egeland stated. "It doesn't necessarily go to who had the very best season. You need to price it as if you're opting for who's going to be voting. That's why I like Jokic. I believe he must've won in 2015."<br><br><br>Jokic is the favorite at Caesars.<br><br><br>"I personally think Jokic needs to be the preferred," Lieberman stated. "I believe there's an argument he probably ought to've won last year, however I do believe SGA was deserving of it. They had such an excellent year, I had no issue with him winning, however I think there's sort of a dominating thought that he won since the group's record was so great."<br><br><br>Marshall stated he liked Orlando (50 1/2), Indiana (37 1/2), Miami (37 1/2) and Charlotte (26 1/2) to go over the win overalls.<br><br><br>The Magic were particularly appealing to him.<br><br><br>"I believe this is the team that might be prepared to take off," Marshall said. "They had a great deal of injury problems last year. ... They still made the playoffs."<br><br><br>He was more bearish on Boston (41 1/2), Philadelphia (42 1/2) and Memphis (39 1/2), anticipating those group to go under. Marshall said health issues were an issue for all 3 clubs.<br><br><br>The Lakers are 16-1 to win the champion and the crosstown Clippers are at 18-1.<br><br><br>Both groups face their share of questions.<br><br><br>For the Lakers, it James' health along with whether this will be his final season. The NBA is examining whether the Clippers broke the salary cap regarding an endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.<br><br><br>"I believe the greatest X-factor is the Clippers, a lot more than the Lakers, due to the fact that of Kawhi," Marshall stated. "His availability, you never understand about that. ... This off-court thing with Kawhi's agreement, will that be a diversion? I do not understand.<br><br><br>"The Lakers, you can notice change coming. I'm practically convinced this is it for LeBron. Maybe Luka is primed for an MVP season, however that was no fluke when Minnesota beat them (in the playoffs) last year. They just out-athleted them all over."<br><br><br>Dallas ´ Cooper Flagg, the top pick in this year ´ s draft, is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. BetMGM even notes him in minus area at -225.<br><br><br>The closest are Utah ´ s Ace Bailey and Philadelphia ´ s V.J. Edgecombe, each at 10-1.<br><br><br>While acknowledging Flagg deserves to be the favorite, Marshall likewise tempered expectations.<br><br><br>"I ´ m not truly sure how much of an effect Flagg is actually going to make," Marshall stated. "I believe Dallas is not a risk this year. I just wear ´ t see it with them, and I put on ´ t believe Flagg is going to be the [https://repos.ubtob.net/edithbadger262 superstar] everybody believes."<br><br><br>Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki (15) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vuevi (9) searches during the very first half of a preseason NBA basketball video game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)<br><br><br>Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doni (77) shoots between Phoenix Suns Isaiah Livers and and Koby Brea (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)<br><br><br>Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives versus Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) throughout the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)<br>