Thunder remain NBA title favourites despite Cavaliers rise after Harden trade
Oklahoma City Thunder remain clear favourites for the NBA title as the Cleveland Cavaliers see their odds shorten following the high-profile acquisition of James Harden.
Thunder and Nuggets lead the pack
Halfway through the campaign, the landscape at the top of the market has solidified with Mark Daigneault’s side consolidating their status as the team to beat.
The Thunder are currently listed at +130, a significant tightening from their preseason price of +200.
Trailing them are the Denver Nuggets, who sit as clear second favourites at +450 having also seen their odds improve considerably since the season began.
The 2023 champions were a popular selection during the preseason, attracting the highest volume of bets at several major sportsbooks.
DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello confirmed that the Nuggets represent a liability for bookmakers due to the heavy betting volume sustained throughout the season.
Both the Thunder and the Nuggets currently hold a 16% share of the total handle, marking them out as the dominant forces in the eyes of the betting public.
Cavaliers surge following Harden deal
The most significant market movement concerns the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have re-entered the conversation following a major roster shake-up.
Having started the season at +650, Cleveland drifted out to +3000 during a turbulent opening few months.
However, the arrival of James Harden from the LA Clippers in early February has revitalised the franchise’s prospects.
The Cavaliers went unbeaten with the former league MVP in the lineup prior to the All-Star break.
This run of form has seen their price slashed to +1200, positioning them as the third favourites for the championship.
Despite the optimism from punters, some industry experts remain cautious regarding the impact the veteran guard can have in the postseason.
“I mean, he will help, but how drastically he’ll help [is the question],” said Caesars Sportsbook NBA lead David Lieberman.
“But I think as far as bettors go, I don’t blame them for getting in on that when their price was a little bit higher. I do think on paper they are maybe one of the top choices in the East.”
Pistons attracting support in the East
While the focus remains on the favourites, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a surprising popular selection among the public.
Currently leading the Eastern Conference standings, Detroit sits fifth in the championship betting market at +1500.
Data suggests bettors are buying into the Pistons’ resurgence, with the franchise attracting nearly a quarter of all tickets to win the conference in February.