2023 NBA Finals Odds Favor Boston Celtics After All-Star Game (But They're Not the Best Bet)

With the NBA All-Star break in the rearview mirror, teams can get back to focusing on the goal of being the last team standing in June. Hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy and winning the NBA Finals is the dream of every single player, but it's a dream that requires hard work and dedication to come true.

There is a clear favorite when it comes to which team will win the NBA Finals and that favorite is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics owns +280 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook as they sit atop the Eastern Conference. Head coach Joe Mazzulla's squad leads the league with a +6.1 average scoring margin.

The Milwaukee Bucks (+430) and Phoenix Suns (+450) are the two teams within striking distance when it comes to NBA Finals odds. The Bucks sits just 0.5 games back of the Celtics in the East, while the Suns are hoping the acquisition of Kevin Durant can help bring the team to the promised land.

Here's a look at how the entirety of the NBA Finals odds shake out on FanDuel Sportsbook.

2023 NBA Finals Odds

2023 NBA Finals Prediction & Best Bet

It should be no surprise to see the Celtics favored to win the title as their roster is filled with talented scorers. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown headline a squad that also includes Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and Al Horford. That kind of depth is rare in today's NBA.

However, backing the favorite isn't necessarily the best play here when it comes to value. I find myself leaning toward the Denver Nuggets considering they lead the Western Conference, yet have odds set down at +750. That is a worthwhile payout for a team that has the likely NBA MVP leading the charge.

Nikola Jokic leads the NBA in triple-doubles and his efforts have helped the Nuggets rank first in offensive efficiency. Denver averages a reliable 117.1 points per game (No. 6 in NBA) on a 51.2% shooting percentage (No. 1 in NBA). They are from from just an offensive powerhouse, though.

The Nuggets also rank fifth in defensive efficiency at home, which is notable as securing the No. 1 seed would give them home-court advantage in the playoffs. Denver would be battle-tested, too, if it is able to make it out of a loaded West with players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon balling out.

Bet: Denver Nuggets (+750)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.