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Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a><\/p>\nEvery season, there is a key trend that I follow when it comes to the NBA in net rating. Over nearly the last 30 years, every team that has gone on to win the NBA Finals finished with a net rating in the top eight of the league during the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at the teams in the top eight with just three or four games left for each squad this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since the 1996-97 season, every team that won the NBA Finals finished top 8 in net rating in the regular season.<\/p>\n
This season’s top 8:<\/p>\n
1. OKC
2. Spurs \ud83d\udcc8
3. Pistons \ud83d\udcc9
4. Celtics \ud83d\udcc9
5. Knicks
6. Hornets \ud83d\udc40
7. Rockets
8. Nuggets<\/p>\n
Notable:
9. Cavs \ud83d\udcc9
10. MIN \ud83d\udcc8
16. LAL \ud83d\udcc9
18. PHI<\/p>\n
\u2014 Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n A very interesting group, especially with the Charlotte Hornets riding a huge second half of the season to get themselves into this mix.<\/p>\n Recently, Charlotte (now +20000), San Antonio (+550) and OKC (+120) have rode long winning stretches to improve their Finals odds, and the Spurs are starting to close in on Boston for the No. 2 spot in the NBA.<\/p>\n Boston is the clear favorite in the East with Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung) injured, as the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1500), New York Knicks (+1800) and Detroit Pistons (+2500) are well behind them in the odds. Only the Knicks and Pistons currently meet the net rating criteria to win the title this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Lakers\u2019 NBA Finals odds have absolutely cratered<\/a> with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both injured, and they dropped to 16th in the NBA in net rating after Sunday\u2019s loss to Dallas. The Minnesota Timberwolves \u2013 who have lost three in a row \u2013 are another team that has taken a hit in this market, falling to +5000. Minnesota was a top-eight team in net rating not that long ago, but it has played poorly since the All-Star break, posting a net rating of -0.8 in 22 games (12-10).<\/p>\n There\u2019s still some time for teams to turn things around ahead of the playoffs, but the top title contenders seem pretty clear in each conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at the complete NBA Finals odds list with just one week left in the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Latest Odds to Win the NBA Finals<\/p>\n Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook<\/a><\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder: +120Boston Celtics: +500San Antonio Spurs: +550Denver Nuggets: +900Cleveland Cavaliers: +1500New York Knicks: +1800Detroit Pistons: +2500Minnesota Timberwolves: +5000Houston Rockets: +6500Philadelphia 76ers: +9000Atlanta Hawks: +15000Charlotte Hornets: +20000Orlando Magic: +20000Los Angeles Lakers: +30000Los Angeles Clippers: +30000Miami Heat: +30000Toronto Raptors: +40000Golden State Warriors: +50000Phoenix Suns: +50000Portland Trail Blazers: +300000<\/p>\n Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n Claim the latest\u00a0DraftKings promo code<\/a>\u00a0offer today. Sign up and win your first $5 bet to get\u00a0$200 in bonus bets instantly.<\/a><\/p>\n