<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/nba">2025/26 NBA season</a> is almost upon us, with preseason scheduled to start at the beginning of October. The regular season will start a few weeks later, with many already licking their lips in anticipation of what will happen on the court.</p> <p>The Oklahoma City Thunder were crowned the NBA Champions last season after an incredible season. They finished the 2024–25 season with a record of 68–14 to be the number 1 seed in the Western Conference, before defeating the Indiana Pacers 4-3 across seven games to win the NBA Finals.</p> <p>Will they do it again this year? Or, should we expect <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-futures/nba-futures-2026-9324399">a new NBA champion</a> this time around? Remember, the last time there was a back-to-back champion was in the 2017/2018 season when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in consecutive NBA Finals.</p> <p>Their two wins came in the third and fourth straight meeting between these two franchises in the NBA Finals, having played in each final from 2014/15.</p> <h2>&nbsp;</h2> <h2>NBA Champions Outright Betting Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-futures/nba-futures-2026-9324399">NBA Futures 2026 market</a>, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the strong opening favourites to retain their NBA Championship crown.</p> <p>Many are pointing to their experience of winning last season, particularly with the young core of players on their roster. Much of the group has been retained, with last year’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, being a key individual many expect to improve once again.</p> <p>Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are two others who will also be expected to improve on solid seasons, making OKC the team to beat heading into the 2025/26 NBA season.</p> <p>Still, the Cleveland Cavaliers are another franchise that many believe could challenge for honours this season. They are the favourites to win the Eastern Conference and excelled last season, beginning the season with a 15-game unbeaten streak before finishing the regular season with a 64–18 record. They lost in the playoffs to the Pacers in the semi-finals.</p> <p>They are well-liked due to their stability in the core roster, playoff experience, and defensive prowess, which put them in strong contention; Donovan Mitchell is expected to lead the charge.</p> <p>A dark horse for this year’s NBA Championship, though, could be the Houston Rockets. They offer good value at the moment, with the team considered a long shot. However, with the addition of veteran superstar Kevin Durant, the Rockets are seen as a physical, improving team with depth on the wing from players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, and Jae’Sean Tate.</p> <p>They do have their concerns, which make them far from a complete team, but they possess enough quality to pose a credible threat.</p> <h2>&nbsp;</h2> <h2>NBA Champions Outright Betting Predictions</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Our top pick for the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-futures/nba-futures-2026-9324399">NBA Champions Outright</a> market is to back OKC Thunder to win. As mentioned above, they’ve managed to keep their core roster together and have several superstars on their team – and that makes them impossible to overlook.</p>