The New York Knicks are the betting favorites to win the Eastern Conference championship during the 2025-26 NBA season.
New York passed the Cleveland Cavaliers as East favorites in December. Cleveland, last year’s No. 1 seed in the conference, had been the front-runner since this market opened over the summer.
Get the current NBA odds for the Eastern Conference championship in 2026:
Odds to Win 2026 Eastern Conference Championship
Who Will Win the East in 2026?
According to the updated NBA betting lines, New York is projected to win the Eastern Conference finals in 2026. The Knicks are +350 to win the East for the first time since 1999.
New York became the Eastern Conference favorites in December, passing the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs opened as favorites in this market, while the Knicks started with the second-best odds.
The Knicks have won at least one playoff series in each of the past three years, reaching the conference finals last season. The Knicks fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games.
In 80 seasons as a franchise, New York has won two championships.
Past Eastern Conference Winners
| Year | Team | Preseason Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pacers | +2500 |
| 2024 | Celtics | +175 |
| 2023 | Heat | +800 |
| 2022 | Celtics | +2000 |
| 2021 | Bucks | +220 |
| 2020 | Heat | +2200 |
| 2019 | Raptors | +375 |
| 2018 | Cavaliers | -165 |
| 2017 | Cavaliers | -208 |
| 2016 | Cavaliers | -230 |
| 2015 | Cavaliers | -115 |
| 2014 | Heat | -120 |
| 2013 | Heat | -137 |
| 2012 | Heat | -110 |
| 2011 | Heat | -143 |
| 2010 | Celtics | +200 |
| 2009 | Magic | +1000 |
NBA Playoffs Odds
When the stakes increase on the court, they can increase at the online sportsbook with NBA playoff odds. From the play-in tournament through the NBA Finals, BetMGM is the premier destination for NBA betting.
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