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For NBA basketball players, the 82-game regular season is gruelling but there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel: the NBA Finals. The top teams in the league advance to the playoffs but only the best of the best make the Finals.

The intensity level on the hardcourt kicks up several notches with each round and only teams with the right combination of health, unity and coaching can run the gauntlet. Just to make it to the NBA Championship, teams have to win three best-of-7 rounds of playoff games.

Which teams are positioned to make noise in the NBA playoffs? What should you be watching for? What are the best sportsbooks to bet on NBA final games? We have the answers here.

Bet on NBA Finals online in the US

NBA Championship odds

There’s a very active futures market for the NBA. The most popular option in the vast market is for the winner of the NBA Championship. Despite the unique playoff play-in format announced for this year, all playoff series are expected to be full best-of-7 series as per usual.

Here’s what the real-time NBA Finals odds look like at legal US online sportsbooks. Click on any set of odds to claim your bonus and open a new account. Use the drop-down menus to change your state.

Best NBA Finals betting apps

The legal sports betting industry is growing exponentially. Several reputable sportsbook apps are serving the legal states, and a handful of them have emerged as the top choices.

• DraftKings ($50 free): The daily fantasy sports (DFS) giant is also one of the top sports betting operators. NBA is a top market so you’ll find plenty of ways to bet on the Finals.
• FanDuel (up to $1,000 risk-free bet): User-friendly platform and great selection of ongoing promotions are among the calling cards for FanDuel, another DFS titan now crushing it with sports betting.
• BetMGM (up to $600 bonus): The MGM brand is instantly recognizable, and its vast reach continues to grow with an exceptional sports betting platform. Lots of NBA Final value here.

Getting started with each of these sportsbook apps is simple. All you need to do is click through on our exclusive links to create your account. You’ll get some outstandingsign-up bonuses for doing so. After entering some basic information, your new account will be created right away. From there, follow the instructions on the main website to download the app for your iPhone or Android device. Once that’s all set, log in on mobile and you’ll be ready to place your bets on the go.

NBA Finals live betting

As you get set to bet on the NBA Championship, you’ll have plenty of options. You can bet on the outright winner of the series or take it on a game-by-game basis or drill down even further with other fantastic wagering opportunities.

If you’re looking to take things to a new level, then be sure to reserve some of your bankroll for live betting. This is an area of sports betting that is growing tremendously, and it’s a featured option at several mobile and online sportsbooks.

You don’t need to get all your bets in before the first tipoff. Live betting makes that possible, and there is a whole range of wagers you can explore during a game.

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For example, let’s say that it’s the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s NBA Finals. Here are some of the betting markets you might come across during one of the games in the series:

• Who will have the halftime lead: Bucks or Lakers?
• Will Lebron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo score more points in the game?
• How many total points will be scored in the second quarter?

Live betting markets are fast-moving. Odds and bet offerings can change in an instant, so you need to stay plugged in and be ready to pounce when appealing options pop up.

The best way to make that happen is via a sports betting app. You can perform all of the same functions on mobile as you can online or at a retail sportsbook. It’s simply much more convenient to have everything you need at your fingertips as the game plays out and different betting opportunities emerge.

NBA Finals prop betting

If you want action on the NBA Finals, you won’t be disappointed. From standard bets such as moneylines, spreads and totals, to futures bets on the series winner or NBA Finals MVP, there are plenty of options to consider.

For even more chances to make the NBA Championship a profitable experience, take some time to examine the prop bettingmarket. Essentially, these are side bets on things that may or may not happen during the course of the series or in one of the individual games.

Here’s an example of some of the opportunities you may come across, sticking with the Bucks and Lakers, for example.

What will be the outcome of the series?

• Bucks or Lakers in 4 Games +140/+160
• Bucks or Lakers in 5 Games +130/+150
• Bucks or Lakers in 6 Games +120/+140
• Bucks or Lakers in 7 Games +110/+120

Who will win the NBA Finals MVP?

• LeBron James +125
• Giannis Antetokounmpo +115
• Any other player +200

Who will hold the series lead after Game Three?

• Bucks +130
• Lakers +150

Which player will have more points, rebounds and assists in Game Two?

• Anthony Davis +140
• Kris Middleton +160

You’ll find a wide range of choices throughout the NBA Finals. Some of them will be team-based, while others will revolve around individual player performance.

NBA Finals odds boosts & promos

While the NBA Finals attract plenty of betting action as it is, that doesn’t mean that sportsbooks are just going to sit by idly and wait for users to check out their offerings. Events that capture a lot of attention are a great time for operators to attract new users, and many go the extra mile to do so.

As the NBA Finals approach, keep your eyes peeled for special incentive offers. They could be in the form of a deposit bonus or some other type of promotional offerings, such as an odds boost.

So, what is an odds boost? It is a promo in which a sportsbook will take the regular odds for an outcome or event and make them even more enticing.

Let’s walk through a pair of examples using the NBA Finals and the MVP of the series. Heading into a fictitious NBA Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics, here’s what the odds might look like for the outright winner of the series:

• Los Angeles Clippers -105
• Boston Celtics +120

The Clippers are slight favorites in a series that most folks expect to last a while. If you place a $100 bet on the Clippers to win at odds of -105 and the team goes on to win the series, you’ll be in line for a profit of $95.20.

That’s not too shabby, but more favorable odds would be nice. Enter an odds boost promo from a random sportsbook that decides to offer the Clippers to win the NBA Championship at odds of +150. Here’s the math:

• A successful $100 bet at odds of +150 generates a profit of $150.

The favorable movement in odds results in the chance for an even better return on your preferred outcome.

Now let’s say that Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum are the big favorites to win the NBA Finals MVP award. Here’s what the regular odds might look like at the start of the series:

• Kawhi Leonard +110
• Jayson Tatum +130

Since you like the Clippers to win, it doesn’t take much to convince you that Kawhi will take down another MVP award.

A $100 bet at odds of +110 would set you up for a profit of $110 is everything broke as you anticipated. You suddenly receive a promo offer, which is providing an odds boost on Kawhi for MVP at +200.

Just like that, you have a chance at a return of $200 on a $100 wager if he adds more hardware to his collection. Odds boosts can be fantastic opportunities to increase returns, so be on the lookout when the NBA Finals come rolling around.

NBA Finals schedule 2021

For the 2020-21 NBA regular season, here are the expected dates on the calendar to keep in mind:

• Mid-May: Regular season ends
• May: NBA playoffs begin
• July: NBA Finals begin
• July 21: Latest date for NBA Finals to be completed

From the open to the end date of the NBA Finals, there are typically 16 days in between. That means that there’s plenty of time for rest and travel, so there will be no need for back-to-back games. That’s a big plus for the product on the court.

How that schedule will look in 2021 still remains to be seen, though. If we use a standard NBA Finals schedule as a guide, there is a two- or three-day span between games. Here’s how that shook out between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors:

• Game One, Thursday, May 30: Raptors win at home 118-109
• Game Two, Sunday, June 2: Warriors win on the road 109-104
• Game Three, Wednesday, June 5: Raptors win on the road 123-109
• Game Four, Friday, June 7: Raptors win on the road 105-92
• Game Five, Monday, June 10: Warriors win on the road 106-105
• Game Six, Thursday, June 13: Raptors win on the road 114-110

Toronto took it down in six games with three of their victories in the series coming on the road. This was the first NBA title for the Raptors. Leonard was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points per game in the series.

Last 10 NBA Championship winners: Matchups and results

The NBA Finals traces its roots back to 1947 when the Philadelphia Warriors took down the Chicago Stags, 4-1, to win the title. We have seen many memorable series through the years, including in recent times.

Here’s a look at the last 10 editions:

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• 2020: Los Angeles Lakers over Miami Heat, 4-2
• 2019: Toronto Raptors over Golden State Warriors, 4-2
• 2018: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-0
• 2017: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1
• 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors, 4-3
• 2015: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2
• 2014: San Antonio Spurs over Miami Heat, 4-1
• 2013: Miami Heat over San Antonio Spurs, 4-3
• 2012: Miami Heat over Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-1
• 2011: Dallas Mavericks over Miami Heat, 4-2
• 2010: Los Angeles Lakers over Boston Celtics, 4-3

There have been several incredible teams over the past decade. The Heat went on a dominant run in the early part of the decade, while the Warriors wrapped it up while doing the same.

Last 10 NBA Finals MVP winners

Right along with the exceptional teams of the past decade are several stellar individual performances. Here the last 10 winners of the NBA Finals MVP award:

• 2020: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2019: Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
• 2018:Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
• 2017: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
• 2016: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2015:Andre Igoudala, Golden State Warriors
• 2014: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
• 2013: LeBron James, Miami Heat
• 2012: LeBron James, Miami Heat
• 2011:Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
• 2010: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are among the multi-time winners with four and two NBA Finals MVP awards, respectively. Since the Lakers and Clippers are still among the biggest favorites to win the next crown, both of them seem to have a great shot at adding another Finals MVP.

How to stream the NBA Finals

The US broadcast rights for the NBA Finals have traded hands among the major broadcast networks through the years, but they have been the property of ABC/ESPN since 2003. Since then, all games of the finals have been broadcast on ABC with ESPN Deportes pitching in on the international front.

As one of the big four broadcast networks, ABC is carried by cable and streaming operators across the nation, and it can also be picked up by HDTV antenna in certain areas. Since the NBA Finals are part of the ESPN family, there’s naturally expanded coverage on all their properties and major programs.

For other streaming possibilities, the ABC app provides a live stream of finals broadcasts. The app is available for smartphones and can also be downloaded on smart TVs, but please note that you’ll have to sign in with your TV provider to access it.

Those looking to catch the games online can follow the same process while visiting ABC.com. ESPN handles radio coverage, so look for the local affiliate in your area to catch coverage of the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals ratings

While the NBA Finals always attract plenty of attention, the ratings have ebbed and flowed on a national level based on the teams involved. For example, the 1998 NBA Finals set the all-time mark with an average of over 29 million viewers for broadcast network NBC. The Chicago Bulls took down the Utah Jazz four games to two in that memorable series.

The NBA was in the midst of a boom point at that time, and it’s not too hard to figure out why. That was the era when Michael Jordan was dominating the league, and he and the Bulls were quite the draw on the national level.

For the ‘98 finals, the rival Jazz had plenty of star power with Karl Malone and John Stockton. The series was highly anticipated, and that translated into fantastic viewership numbers.

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On the other end of the spectrum, the 2007 edition set the low-water mark for the modern era of NBA Finals broadcast. ABC provided coverage, and an average of 9.29 million viewers tuned in to watch the San Antonio Spurs take down the Cleveland Cavaliers four games to zero.

It wasn’t a lack of familiar names that led to the low numbers, as Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan led the way for the Spurs, while LeBron James led the Cavaliers.

Quite simply, the overall broadcast environment has continually evolved since the late 1990s. Fast forward to today, and there are a countless number of streaming options for viewers.

Events that used to attract millions of viewers have seen the numbers steadily decline across the board. That said, live sports remains the most significant driver in driving eyeballs to the screen at the same time. Hence, the enormous broadcast rights’ fees the various leagues can secure.

For round numbers, the current NBA broadcast deal with ABC, ESPN and Turner Sports runs from the 2016-17 season through 2024-25 and checks in with an eye-popping price tag of $24 billion. That’s behind only the NFL in terms of dollars, and in the neighborhood of what soccer’s Premier League manages to snag.

For individual games on an all-time basis, Game Six of the aforementioned Bulls-Jazz series in 1998 racked up 35.89 million viewers.

Game Three of the 2003 NBA Finals between San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets holds the record in the opposite direction with 8.06 million viewers. The Spurs would go on to win that series, four games to two, in one of the lowest-rated finals of all time.

Since the end of the Jordan era, the NBA Finals as a whole have been averaging between 12 million and 20 million viewers. The two notable exceptions were in 2003 and 2007, as the average numbers dipped below 10 million for both series.

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Where to bet on NBA Finals online

The legal sports betting environment across the US continues to evolve. Several states are ahead of the curve, others are pending launch and while another set is still sorting through legislation. If you want to bet on the NBA Championship online you can do so with:

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Review the full list of US states with legal sports betting.