Join the Fun of the NBA Finals

After a long season with hundreds of basketball games played, it's almost time for the climax of the National Basketball Association season - the Finals. 

Two teams will head into battle looking to claim the famous Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. At Bally Casino, you can get involved in the heart of the sporting action when the NBA Finals get underway. 

We've got everything y'all need to know about betting on the main event of the basketball season here. Read on to get our top NBA betting tips, and find some of the basketball markets you can wager on. 

When are the NBA Finals? 

The first game is scheduled to start on 6th June at 1.30am, meaning it should be wrapped up by 4am.  Sorry, folks - it'll be a late night for y'all tuning into the start of the NBA Finals on this side of the pond! 

How do the NBA Finals work? 

Like with all games in the NBA Play-Offs, the final is a best-of-seven series. So, to lift the trophy, either side needs the magic number of four wins. Easier said than done, of course. 

The team with the superior regular season has home advantage for the first two match-ups, and the other side hosts the next two. If the series is still alive, the final three games alternate starting at the club was more successful in the regular season. 

Who's favoured to win the NBA Finals 2025? 

Oklahoma City Thunder are the shortest price to emerge victorious from the NBA finals this year, currently available at 8/1^. Indiana Pacers are 5/1, but you can never count out the underdogs. 

How to bet on the NBA Finals 

Bally Casino is the place to be if you're looking to bet on the NBA Finals online. Hit the 'JOIN NOW' button to sign up and get involved, then head to our online sportsbook to find our basketball markets. 

Make those NBA predictions then browse our betting odds to find something you like. Click the selection and add it to the betslip, enter a stake and click 'Place Bet' to confirm the wager. You're all set for the tip-off! 

You can find our NBA Finals betting odds on desktop or mobile devices. If you haven't yet, head to the App Store or Google Play Store to download our slick mobile app. Take all the thrills of betting on sports on the go, or enjoy the action from home. 

NBA Finals Betting Markets 

Need some help with what to bet on? You’ve got it. Here are some of the most popular basketball betting markets available for the NBA Finals. 

• Moneyline - Pick the winner of the game, including overtime. If your team scores more points, you're in the money. 
• Handicaps - This sports term is known as a spread in the US, and they give teams a virtual head start or a disadvantage to make the match more even on paper. Back a team +7.5, and if they lose by seven points or less, you win. 
• First field goal scorer - Bet on a player to net the first two or three-point field goal in the game. Watch out for free throws, as these don't count towards this market. 
• Points - Take aim at our points markets. Wager on the total number of points scored in the match, or see if you can pick out the game's top points scorer. 
• Player props - We've got a whole bunch of player props for y'all. This includes assists, rebounds and the number of three-pointers, but don't forget about the defense - you can wager on blocks and steals, too. 

NBA Finals Betting Tips 

Consider yourself a rookie? Don’t sweat it. We've got some pointers to help you out before placing some wagers on the game - take a peek at our top basketball betting tips below. 

Check recent form 

One side could be heading into the final red-hot, while the other might have scraped through some nail-biters. Recent form is normally a good starting point. 

Head-to-head records 

Sometimes, a team just has a rival's number. Find the head-to-head record for each of the NBA finalists and see if it's one-sided. It might help pick the winner. 

Read the injury report

Injuries are an unfortunate part of elite sport, and basketball is no different. Check out the injury report just in case any of the best players are missing. 

Research the team's history

Success can be harder to come by for certain clubs, while others can have it in their DNA. If one team has a history of winning, it’s smart to keep them on side. 

Gamble responsibly

Betting on basketball is meant to be fun. We've got a heap of responsible gambling tools to help all players at Bally Casino, including session reminders and deposit limits. 

What do teams that win the NBA Finals get? 

Over $34m in prize money is available for the NBA Finals¹, and the winning team will net $8.8m to split between the players! Up to $869k is at stake based on the club’s position during the regular NBA season, so there's plenty to play for. 

It's not just financial rewards up for grabs - players also have the chance to land a permanent reminder of their glory. Each member of the winning side is awarded a championship ring to celebrate their success, just like in American football. 

Who's won the most NBA Finals? 

The Boston Celtics sit at the top of the throne with 18 titles. They're the current holders too, having won the prize in 2024. However, they relinquished their NBA Championship with defeat to the New York Knicks this time around. 

Next on the list of NBA finals winners are the Los Angeles Lakers with 17, although five of their wins came when the team played in Minneapolis. Moving teams is a common practice in the US - check out our blog comparing English and American football to learn more. 

Bet on basketball at Bally Casino 

We've got everything you need to enjoy online basketball betting right here at Bally Casino. With pre-game and in-play markets from over 20 countries, there’s always something to get involved in. 

Place wagers on every NBA game, plus the WNBA, the Euroleague and college basketball in the NCAAB. So, there's always awesome action for you to jump into. 

Sign up at Bally Casino and get involved in all the thrilling moments on our sports betting site. Still a rookie? Head over to the Bally Casino blog to read all our top tips and guides before you start wagering. 

^Odds correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.

¹ https://www.sportico.com/feature/nba-playoff-salary-explained-1234776032/