NBA championship betting sites and strategies. Learn how to be on the NBA championship with spread, total and moneyline bets. Care to make things interesting? Try betting NBA championship props, parlays or teasers. These bets are great ways to increase your bankroll and have fun. See current NBA Championship futures below. We also included Eastern and Western Conference championship futures at the bottom of the page. Review odds for NBA matchups. Slam dunk your bookie this June when the NBA Finals begin!
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Table of Contents
- Current Matchup Odds
- Current NBA Championship Futures
- NBA Championship Bets
- Exotic Bets
- Tables & Reference
- Live NBA Odds
- NBA Team Pages
Current Matchups
Markets| Game |
 BetMGMBet |
 BetRiversBet |
|---|
NBA Championship Odds
| Team |
BetMGM |
BetRivers |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder | -600 Bet |
-560 Bet |
| Pacers | +425 Bet |
+390 Bet |
NBA Championship Bets
NBA championship betting is a thrilling way to start the summer. Spread, total and moneyline bets are the most popular. They’re ideal for profiting on each championship series game. Our NBA betting tutorial discusses each bet in detail. Use the following as both a refresher and basic reference.
NBA Spread Betting
Bet is made on the expected score difference.
Taking the Underdog
Add the spread to the underdog’s final score. The underdog wins if the sum is greater than the favorite’s score.
Taking the Favorite
Subtract the spread from the favorite’s final score. The favorite wins if the difference is greater than the underdog’s score.
Identifying the Spread
The spread is the smaller of two numbers next to each team. The larger number is the total.
Sportsbooks provide the juice to the right of the spread. This is the amount of money you bet to win $100. Assume -110 when no number is given. Consider -110 standard or full juice.
NBA Spread Example
Cleveland Cavaliers 212
Golden State Warriors 10½ -112
- Bettor chooses underdog Cleveland Cavaliers. They cannot lose by more than 10.5 points.
- Favorite Golden State has -112 juice. -108 is Cleveland’s corresponding juice value.
- Golden State wins game 112-103.
- Bet wins if underdog score plus spread is greater than favorite’s score.
Result: Cleveland 103 + 10.5 = 113.5. 113.5 is greater than 112. Cleveland covers spread.
Favorite bettors lose. Underdog bettors win.
NBA Total Betting
Sportsbook predicts a combined point total. Players bet whether final result will be over or under this number. Final point total includes overtime result.
Identifying the Total
The total is the larger of two numbers next to each team. The smaller number is the spread. Sportsbooks specify the total’s juice to the right of the line.
Choosing a Side
Sportsbooks will abbreviate over as “o” and under as “u”.
One side of the bet may have different juice than the other. The more expensive side will be provided. For example, 212 u-115 means anyone betting under 212 will lay $115 to win $100.
Assume -110 when no number is given. That means the juice for both the over and under is -110. Bettors taking either side will lay $110 to win $100.
NBA Total Example
Cleveland Cavaliers 208 o-118
Golden State Warriors 12
- The total line is 208. The over has -118 juice. -102 is the corresponding under value.
- Over bettors believe the final total will be greater than 208. They lay $118 to win $100.
- Under bettors believe the final total will be less than 208. They also lay $102 to win $100.
Result: Final total is 212. This number is greater than 208. That means all over bettors win.
Note: A total equaling 208 means all bets push. Your wager would be refunded.
NBA Moneyline Betting
Bet is made on outright winner. A positive number denotes the underdog. A negative number denotes the favorite. Two -110 numbers indicate no specific favorite.
Positive numbers indicate how much you win for risking $100.
Negative numbers indicate how much you risk to win $100. The juice is included in each line.
Sportsbooks don’t display moneyline odds with spreads and totals. Instead, you’ll find moneylines on a different table or page. Look for “ML” or “Moneylines” on your sportsbook’s odds page.
NBA Moneyline Example
Cleveland Cavaliers +190
Golden State Warriors -220
- The Warriors are the favorite. The Cavaliers are the underdog.
- Golden State bettors lay $220 to win $100. Cleveland bettors win $190 for risking $100.
Note: Tie scores aren’t possible in the NBA. If the score is tied after regulation time, teams play unlimited 5 minute periods until the tie is broken. Each team gets 2 timeouts per overtime. Player fouls carryover from regulation.
Exotic NBA Championship Bets
NBA Championship props are tons of fun! Make bets on just about anything besides the game outcome. More traditional exotics include parlays and teasers. Winning parlays always pay more than separate straight bets. Not sure about going all in on a big parlay? Use teasers to buy points and shift the lines in your favor.
NBA Championship Prop Betting
Sportsbooks offer odds on various events related to sports, entertainment or politics. Bettor decides whether an event will occur, in what quantity or both. Prop bets are considered side bets. They are not contingent on the game’s final outcome.
NBA Championship Prop Betting Directions
- Visit sportsbook’s NBA odds page. Select “Props” or “Specials”.
- Most props are announced before the NBA Championship begins. Single game props will be released 1-2 days before tip off.
- Each prop has moneyline odds.
- Make selection and bet desired amount.
- Props win or lose after applicable game, season or playoff has concluded.
Note: Some Props cannot be added to parlays.
Example NBA Championship Props
1. Which team will win the tip off?
- Eastern Champion -130
- Western Champion +110
2. What will the highest margin of victory be in the series?
- Over 22.5 -120
- Under 22.5 -120
3. Will there be a game-winning buzzer beater?
- Yes +550
- No -900
4. Will there be an ejection?
- Yes +250
- No -325
5. How many games will be played in the Championship Series?
- Seven +400
- Six +375
- Five +160
- Four +225
NBA Parlay Betting
Combine 2 or more spread, moneyline, eligible props or total selections. Parlay wins if all selections win. Parlay loses if any selection loses.
NBA Championship Parlay Directions
- Select 2-15 spreads, moneylines, eligible props, totals or combinations of all four.
- Matchups from other sports like soccer, hockey or baseball can be included.
- All selections must be correct to win.
- Each tie reduces parlay size by 1 selection. Review your sportsbook’s parlay rules carefully.
Common NBA Championship Parlays
(ATS = Against the Spread)
- Underdog or Favorite ATS + Under or Over total
- Underdog or Favorite Moneyline + Under or Over total
- Any allowed props + Underdog or Favorite ATS + Over or Under Total
- Any of the above as 1st half spreads or totals
Sportsbooks will indicate which NBA Championship props can be added to a parlay. Some props are prohibited.
SportsBetting3.com’s comprehensive parlay article has examples and suggested betting options. It includes a thorough discussion about what happens when one or more parlay selections tie.
Winning NBA playoffs parlays can be very profitable. One hypothetical parlay took the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors to win their 2017 first round series 4-0. This parlay would have been 8 total selections, a shutout per each team. In fact, both teams did just that. Anyone who bet $100 taking each team on the moneyline would have won $816.01!
NBA Teaser Betting
Combine multiple spread and total bets into a modified parlay. Buy points to shift lines in your favor. Winning teaser bets receive a lower payout than the same straight bets with unmodified lines. Moneylines cannot be added to a teaser bet.
NBA Championship Teaser Directions
- Select 2-10 spreads, totals or combinations of both.
- Buy points to shift lines in your favor. The more points you purchase, the lower your potential payout.
- Favorites can now win by fewer points. Underdogs can now lose by more points.
- Under now more likely with higher total. Over now more likely with lower total.
- All selections must be correct to win.
- Note: Sportsbook tie bet rules vary. Each tie reduces payout by 1 selection above 2 total selections.
Example NBA Championship Teaser
Cleveland Cavaliers 210
Golden State Warriors 12.5
| Bets | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | +100 | -110 | -120 | -140 |
- The bettor makes 2 selections: Warriors -12½, over 210 -110.
- The bettor selects a 5 point teaser. Each line shifts 5 points in bettor’s favor.
- The lines are now Warriors -7.5, Over 205.
- The bettor risks $120 to win $100.
More info
Teaser odds, rules and availability will vary by sportsbook. Tie or cancelled bets affect final teaser payouts. Learn more with our teaser betting tutorial. Our article explains all the important details and rules. We also provide sample teaser odds for different sports and sportsbooks.
Tables and Reference
NBA Championship Series Results 1960-Present
| Year | Winner | Series Result |
Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Boston Celtics Coach: Joe Mazzulla |
4-1 | Dallas Mavericks Coach: Jason Kidd |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets Coach: Michael Malone |
4-1 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
4-2 | Boston Celtics Coach: Ime Udoka |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks Coach: Mike Budenholzer |
4-2 | Phoenix Suns Coach: Monty Williams |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Frank Vogel |
4-2 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
| 2019 | Toronto Raptors Coach: Nick Nurse |
4-2 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
4-0 | Cleveland Cavaliers Coach: Tyronn Lue |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
4-1 | Cleveland Cavaliers Coach: Tyronn Lue |
| 2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers Coach: Tyronn Lue |
4-3 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Steve Kerr |
4-2 | Cleveland Cavaliers Coach: David Blatt |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
4-1 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
| 2013 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
4-3 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
| 2012 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
4-1 | Oklahoma City Thunder Coach: Scott Brooks |
| 2011 | Dallas Mavericks Coach: Rick Carlisle |
4-2 | Miami Heat Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
| 2010 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-3 | Boston Celtics Coach: Doc Rivers |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-1 | Orlando Magic Coach: Stan Van Gundy |
| 2008 | Boston Celtics Coach: Doc Rivers |
4-2 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
| 2007 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
4-0 | Cleveland Cavaliers Coach: Mike Brown |
| 2006 | Miami Heat Coach: Pat Riley |
4-2 | Dallas Mavericks Coach: Avery Johnson |
| 2005 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
4-3 | Detroit Pistons Coach: Larry Brown |
| 2004 | Detroit Pistons Coach: Larry Brown |
4-1 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
| 2003 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
4-2 | New Jersey Nets Coach: Byron Scott |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-0 | New Jersey Nets Coach: Byron Scott |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-1 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Larry Brown |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Indiana Pacers Coach: Larry Bird |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs Coach: Gregg Popovich |
4-1 | New York Knicks Coach: Jeff Van Gundy |
| 1998 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Utah Jazz Coach: Jerry Sloan |
| 1997 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Utah Jazz Coach: Jerry Sloan |
| 1996 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Seattle SuperSonics Coach: George Karl |
| 1995 | Houston Rockets Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich |
4-0 | Orlando Magic Coach: Brian Hill |
| 1994 | Houston Rockets Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich |
4-3 | New York Knicks Coach: Pat Riley |
| 1993 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Phoenix Suns Coach: Paul Westphal |
| 1992 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-2 | Portland Trail Blazers Coach: Rick Adelman |
| 1991 | Chicago Bulls Coach: Phil Jackson |
4-1 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Mike Dunleavy |
| 1990 | Detroit Pistons Coach: Chuck Daly |
4-1 | Portland Trail Blazers Coach: Rick Adelman |
| 1989 | Detroit Pistons Coach: Chuck Daly |
4-0 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
| 1988 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
4-3 | Detroit Pistons Coach: Chuck Daly |
| 1987 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
4-2 | Boston Celtics Coach: K.C. Jones |
| 1986 | Boston Celtics Coach: K.C. Jones |
4-2 | Houston Rockets Coach: Bill Fitch |
| 1985 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
4-2 | Boston Celtics Coach: K.C. Jones |
| 1984 | Boston Celtics Coach: K.C. Jones |
4-3 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
| 1983 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Billy Cunningham |
4-0 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
| 1982 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Pat Riley |
4-2 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Billy Cunningham |
| 1981 | Boston Celtics Coach: Bill Fitch |
4-2 | Houston Rockets Coach: Del Harris |
| 1980 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Paul Westhead |
4-2 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Billy Cunningham |
| 1979 | Seattle SuperSonics Coach: Lenny Wilkens |
4-1 | Washington Bullets Coach: Dick Motta |
| 1978 | Washington Bullets Coach: Dick Motta |
4-3 | Seattle SuperSonics Coach: Lenny Wilkens |
| 1977 | Portland Trail Blazers Coach: Jack Ramsey |
4-2 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Gene Shue |
| 1976 | Boston Celtics Coach: Tom Heinsohn |
4-2 | Phoenix Suns Coach: John MacLeod |
| 1975 | Golden State Warriors Coach: Al Attles |
4-0 | Washington Bullets Coach: K.C. Jones |
| 1974 | Boston Celtics Coach: Tom Heinsohn |
4-3 | Milwaukee Bucks Coach: Larry Costello |
| 1973 | New York Knicks Coach: Red Holzman |
4-1 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Bill Sharman |
| 1972 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Bill Sharman |
4-1 | New York Knicks Coach: Red Holzman |
| 1971 | Milwaukee Bucks Coach: Larry Costello |
4-0 | Baltimore Bullets Coach: Gene Shue |
| 1970 | New York Knicks Coach: Red Holzman |
4-3 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Joe Mullaney |
| 1969 | Boston Celtics Coach: Bill Russell |
4-3 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Butch van Breda Kolff |
| 1968 | Boston Celtics Coach: Bill Russell |
4-2 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Butch van Breda Kolff |
| 1967 | Philadelphia 76ers Coach: Alex Hannum |
4-2 | San Francisco Warriors Coach: Bill Sharman |
| 1966 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-3 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Fred Schaus |
| 1965 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-1 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Fred Schaus |
| 1964 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-1 | San Francisco Warriors Coach: Alex Hannum |
| 1963 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-2 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Fred Schaus |
| 1962 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-3 | Los Angeles Lakers Coach: Fred Schaus |
| 1961 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-1 | St. Louis Hawks Coach: Paul Seymour |
| 1960 | Boston Celtics Coach: Red Auerbach |
4-3 | St. Louis Hawks Coach: Ed Macauley |
NBA Championship Appearances & Records 1960-Present
| Team | Games | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 26 | 12-14 |
| Boston Celtics | 20 | 16-4 |
| Golden State Warriors | 7 | 5-2 |
| Miami Heat | 7 | 3-4 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 | 6-0 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6 | 5-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 6 | 2-4 |
| Detroit Pistons | 5 | 3-2 |
| New York Knicks | 5 | 2-3 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5 | 1-4 |
| Houston Rockets | 4 | 2-2 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 3 | 2-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 3 | 1-2 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 3 | 1-2 |
| Seattle SuperSonics | 3 | 1-2 |
| Washington Bullets | 3 | 1-2 |
| Phoenix Suns | 3 | 0-3 |
| New Jersey Nets | 2 | 0-2 |
| Orlando Magic | 2 | 0-2 |
| San Francisco Warriors | 2 | 0-2 |
| St. Louis Hawks | 2 | 0-2 |
| Utah Jazz | 2 | 0-2 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1 | 1-0 |
| Toronto Raptors | 1 | 1-0 |
| Baltimore Bullets | 1 | 0-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 1 | 0-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 | 0-1 |
NBA Championship Coaches & Records 1960-Present
| Coach | Games | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Jackson | 13 | 11-2 |
| Pat Riley | 9 | 5-4 |
| Red Auerbach | 7 | 7-0 |
| Gregg Popovich | 6 | 5-1 |
| Steve Kerr | 6 | 4-2 |
| Erik Spoelstra | 6 | 2-4 |
| K.C. Jones | 5 | 2-3 |
| Fred Schaus | 4 | 0-4 |
| Chuck Daly | 3 | 2-1 |
| Red Holzman | 3 | 2-1 |
| Bill Sharman | 3 | 1-2 |
| Billy Cunningham | 3 | 1-2 |
| Larry Brown | 3 | 1-2 |
| Tyronn Lue | 3 | 1-2 |
| Bill Russell | 2 | 2-0 |
| Rudy Tomjanovich | 2 | 2-0 |
| Tom Heinsohn | 2 | 2-0 |
| Alex Hannum | 2 | 1-1 |
| Bill Fitch | 2 | 1-1 |
| Dick Motta | 2 | 1-1 |
| Doc Rivers | 2 | 1-1 |
| Larry Costello | 2 | 1-1 |
| Lenny Wilkens | 2 | 1-1 |
| Butch van Breda Kolff | 2 | 0-2 |
| Byron Scott | 2 | 0-2 |
| Gene Shue | 2 | 0-2 |
| Jerry Sloan | 2 | 0-2 |
| Rick Adelman | 2 | 0-2 |
| Al Attles | 1 | 1-0 |
| Frank Vogel | 1 | 1-0 |
| Jack Ramsey | 1 | 1-0 |
| Joe Mazzulla | 1 | 1-0 |
| Michael Malone | 1 | 1-0 |
| Mike Budenholzer | 1 | 1-0 |
| Nick Nurse | 1 | 1-0 |
| Paul Westhead | 1 | 1-0 |
| Rick Carlisle | 1 | 1-0 |
| Avery Johnson | 1 | 0-1 |
| Brian Hill | 1 | 0-1 |
| David Blatt | 1 | 0-1 |
| Del Harris | 1 | 0-1 |
| Ed Macauley | 1 | 0-1 |
| George Karl | 1 | 0-1 |
| Ime Udoka | 1 | 0-1 |
| Jason Kidd | 1 | 0-1 |
| Jeff Van Gundy | 1 | 0-1 |
| Joe Mullaney | 1 | 0-1 |
| John MacLeod | 1 | 0-1 |
| Larry Bird | 1 | 0-1 |
| Mike Brown | 1 | 0-1 |
| Mike Dunleavy | 1 | 0-1 |
| Monty Williams | 1 | 0-1 |
| Paul Seymour | 1 | 0-1 |
| Paul Westphal | 1 | 0-1 |
| Scott Brooks | 1 | 0-1 |
| Stan Van Gundy | 1 | 0-1 |
NBA Betting Resources
- NBA Betting Guide – Learn how to bet on the NBA with point spreads, totals, moneylines, and exotic bets like parlays, teasers, prop bets and futures.
- NBA Betting Sites – Hoops there it is! Dive into our list of highly recommended NBA betting sites just in time for the next big game.
- NBA Odds – Latest odds for NBA matchups, including team NBA finals, conference, and division futures.
- NBA Prop Bets – Learn how to bet NBA props. We also have prop betting lines and odds for NBA matchups.
- NBA Underdogs – Review underdogs point spread and moneyline betting opportunities for NBA matchups.
- NBA Futures Odds – Review odds for popular NBA futures events, including the NBA Championship, Eastern and Western conference winners, division winners, regular season MVP award, and other player awards.
- NBA Win Total Odds – Review regular season win total lines and odds for each team. to place you bet before each team’s first game of the regular season.
- Undefeated NBA Teams – See which teams are still undefeated in the current regular season.
- NBA Championship Betting – We explain the best bets for the NBA finals, plus you can see the latest NBA Finals futures.
- Eastern Conference Win Totals – Season win totals for every NBA Eastern Conference team.
- Western Conference Win Totals – Win totals for every Western Conference NBA team.
- Halftime Middling – Learn how to make a bet a halftime that can’t lose. We explain how halftime middling can work for NBA and college basketball games.
- Five-Game Rolling Average – Use a team’s five game rolling average stats to sharpen up your handicap analyses and making winning NBA bets.
- NBA Team Betting Odds – Latest odds for each NBA team, including matchups, futures, and season specials.
References
si.com/nba/2018/nba-overtime-rules-explained
si.com/nba/2018/05/30/warriors-cavaliers-finals-prop-bets-odds
houstonpress.com/news/how-much-would-an-open-parlay-on-warriors-and-cavs-pay-before-last-nights-cavs-loss-9458319
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions