It’s been a few months since Denver broke through and won the franchise’s first NBA championship in five games over Miami.
Fresh off a marathon playoff race that featured series wins over Minnesota, Phoenix, the L.A. Lakers and the Heat, the Nuggets are back and looking to become the first team to win consecutive titles since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
Entering the season, Denver ranks third at Colorado sportsbooks when it comes to NBA title odds at +500, behind Milwaukee and Boston (both at +400). Ahead of the Nuggets’ regular season opener against the L.A. Lakers on Oct. 24, BetColorado.com took a look at where recent champions ranked in the preseason.
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Preseason Odds for NBA Title Teams
Year | Champ | Preseason Odds/Rank |
2023 | Denver | +1800/T9th |
2022 | Golden State | +900/T3th |
2021 | Milwaukee | +550/2nd |
2020 | L.A. Lakers | +450/2nd |
2019 | Toronto | +1850/5th |
2018 | Golden State | -187/1st |
2017 | Golden State | -128/1st |
2016 | Cleveland | +280/1st |
2015 | Golden State | +2800/9th |
2014 | San Antonio | +1200/T4th |
2013 | Miami | +225/1st |
2012 | Miami | +225/1st |
2011 | Dallas | +2000/7th |
2010 | L.A. Lakers | +225/1st |
2009 | L.A. Lakers | +350/T1st |
2008 | Boston | +1000/T5th |
2007 | San Antonio | +450/2nd |
2006 | Miami | +350/2nd |
2005 | San Antonio | +400/1st |
2004 | Detroit | +1500/T7th |
2003 | San Antonio | +1100/T4th |
2002 | L.A. Lakers | +200/1st |
2001 | L.A. Lakers | +180/1st |
2000 | L.A. Lakers | +180/1st |
You can take advantage of the Nuggets being the biggest division favorite on the board — -400 to win the Northwest Division — by using Colorado sportsbook promo codes.
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Where Nuggets Stand Entering 2023
Since 2000, the average preseason odds of the NBA champion were +755, with the longest shot being 2015 Golden State (+2800) and the shortest being the 2018 Warriors (-187).
The Nuggets’ current +500 title odds at Colorado betting apps would place them between 2007 San Antonio and the 2020 L.A. Lakers, who were +450 apiece, and 2021 Milwaukee, which entered its title year at +550.
Denver faces much longer repeat odds than the Warriors did in 2018, when they were the league favorite to win it all at -187, while Miami was +225 in its title defense season in 2013. The Lakers were +225 in 2010, +180 in 2001 and +200 in 2002 when they were looking to repeat as champs.
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NBA Championship Odds
Team | Odds |
Boston | +400 |
Milwaukee | +400 |
Denver | +550 |
Phoenix | +650 |
L.A. Lakers | +1300 |
Golden State | +1400 |
L.A. Clippers | +2000 |
Philadelphia | +2000 |
Cleveland | +2500 |
Dallas | +2500 |
Memphis | +2500 |
Odds provided by BetMGM Colorado.
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