Most oddsmakers see Cleveland Cavaliers behind Oklahoma City Thunder for NBA Finals win

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Most oddsmakers see Cleveland Cavaliers behind Oklahoma City Thunder for NBA Finals win

George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Mon, Jun 23, 2025 ·

2 min read

What are the Cleveland Cavaliers championship chances for the 2025-26 season?

What are the Cavs chances at the NBA championship next season? That depends on the oddsmaker. But the reality is the Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to repeat next season. As for the Cavs:

ESPN Bet has them as a narrow second favorite just ahead of the New York Knicks at +700 (see your local bookie to decipher what that number means). OK, I'll share. It means that if you make a $100 bet and it's correct, you win $700. For perspective: The Thunder are at +220.

FanDuel's odds come up similar but different. Again, the Thunder are favorites. However, the Cavs are tied with the Knicks for second at +650. That tracks given the toughness factor. The Knicks acquitted themselves admirably in the playoffs and then promptly fired their coach .

BetMGM has the Thunder as favorite with the Cavs coming in second at +750 just ahead of the Houston Rockets who are likely getting some odds love due to their blockbuster trade to acquire Kevin Durant over the weekend.

DraftKings has a notable difference with the Cavs coming in third (+900), behind the Thunder and Knicks (both at +750), and tied with the Rockets for second.

Things could look vastly different in the NBA's Eastern Conference with injuries to Tyrese Haliburton , Jayson Tatum

The NBA's Eastern Conference could be up for grabs next season given recent machinations.

First up, the Knicks still do not have a coach. There's no way to know who they are bringing to Madison Square Garden and they've been denied permission to speak with many prominent coaches who are employed elsewhere.

Then what about the Boston Celtics ? Forward Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury during the playoffs in the team's series against the Knicks, and recovery from that injury could likely cost him next season.

Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Speaking of Achilles injuries. See Tyrese Haliburton, who went down with a similar injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals Sunday, June 22.

Lastly, will there be a wild card in play after the blockbuster trade the Orlando Magic made to acquire guard Desmond Bane on June 15.

Buckle up, folks. It could be an interesting ride.

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.