The Nuggets are favored over the Lakers in the NBA Western Conference odds

NBA Western Conference Odds: How Did The Nuggets Pull It Off?

The Nuggets were a wagon all season and smashed their way to an NBA championship berth. Now, Denver is chalked to win it all over the East-winning Heat.

Here's how the Nuggets won the Western Conference odds. 

Who Won The 2022-23 Western Conference Championship?

2023 NBA Western Conference Odds
TeamOdds Before The Season
Denver Nuggets+725

2023-24 Western Conference Odds

Odds To Win NBA - Western Conference 2023-24
TeamOdds
Denver Nuggets+170
LA Clippers+250
Oklahoma City Thunder+750
Golden State Warriors+1200
Phoenix Suns+1200
Dallas Mavericks+1400
LA Lakers+1400
Minnesota Timberwolves+1400
New Orleans Pelicans+2500
Sacramento Kings+3300
Houston Rockets+50000
San Antonio Spurs+50000
Utah Jazz+50000
Memphis Grizzlies+75000
Portland Trail Blazers+100000

Odds as of March 18th, 2024 23:02pm EDT.

How The Nuggets Pulled It Off

Denver was a regular-season talk, leading the West with 53 wins, and while Nikola Jokic didn't get his MVP, this roster is still loaded. Jamal Murray has teamed up with Jokic as an epic pick-and-roll duo, helping the squad cruise to the Finals. 

Maybe Jokic is just an unstoppable force at this point. The big man is averaging just under 30 PPG during these playoffs, which he complements with his elite post-passing ability. No other center in basketball moves the ball like Jokic, and, as a result, the Nuggets offense operates flawlessly. 

Denver is a tough nut to crack, and the Nuggets carry heavy chalk in the NBA Finals, I imagine they'll win it all, but we'll need to dig into the series prices for profitable bets.

Past Western Conference Championship Winners

Last 10 NBA Western Conference Winners
YearTeamRegular-Season Record
2022-23Denver Nuggets53-29
2021-22Golden State Warriors53-29
2020-21Phoenix Suns51-21
2019-20Los Angeles Lakers52-19
2018-19Golden State Warriors57-25
2017-18Golden State Warriors58-24
2016-17Golden State Warriors67-15
2015-16Golden State Warriors73-9
2014-15Golden State Warriors67-15
2013-14San Antonio Spurs62-20

The Warriors have run the West since the Spurs’ years of dominance ended. There have been key contributors come and go from the Bay Area, but the core group of Steve Kerr at coach and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the court has brought on one of the most dominant runs in recent NBA history.

NBA Western Conference Championship History

The Western Conference has been around since 1970 but the Western Conference championship trophy was first awarded back in 2000-01. In 2021-22, the award was renamed after Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

NBA Teams with the Most Western Conference Championships

Most Western Conference Titles
TeamTitles
Los Angeles Lakers10
Golden State Warriors7
San Antonio Spurs6

The Lakers and Spurs traded off runs of dominance for most of the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, but now there’s a new dynasty in town. Six of the Warriors’ seven all-time Western Conference titles have come in the last 10 years. With the core of that dynasty still in place, the Dubs just need a few more strong seasons to close the gap on Los Angeles.

NBA Teams That Have Never Won a Western Conference Championship

Teams With Zero Western Conference Titles
TeamTitles
Memphis Grizzlies0
Minnesota Timberwolves0
New Orleans Pelicans0
Los Angeles Clippers0
Sacramento Kings0

The flip side of several big dynasties running the West is that we haven’t had too much historical parity. Almost half the current Western Conference has yet to ever make the NBA Finals. However, with the Clippers flashing current star power and the Grizzlies, Kings and Pelicans on the rise, maybe this list will soon be shorter.

NBA Western Conference Championship FAQs

Which team is favored to win the NBA Western Conference in 2022-23?

The Denver Nuggets (-160) are favored in the odds to win the NBA Western Conference.

Who won the NBA Western Conference in 2021-22?

The Golden State Warriors won the Western Conference last season and made it to the NBA Finals.

Which NBA team has the most Western Conference titles?

The Los Angeles Lakers have 19 Western Conference championships, the most in the NBA.

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