Cavs have climbed back in title picture after James Harden trade, per oddsmakers

The Cavaliers are back in the conversation. And this time, the betting market is following.

At the midway point of the season, the Cavs have climbed back to third on DraftKings’ NBA title odds board at 12-1, a sharp move for a team that drifted as long as 30-1 at some books earlier this year.

The shift came after Cleveland acquired James Harden earlier this month and promptly won all three games with him before the All-Star break.

That run forced sportsbooks to adjust.

DraftKings director Johnny Avello told ESPN the odds move was driven by Harden’s stature, though questions remain about how much he can elevate the Cavs (34-21) in the postseason.

Caesars NBA lead David Lieberman echoed that sentiment, calling Harden a clear upgrade while stopping short of labeling the Cavs a finished product.

On paper, though, the belief is real. Cleveland has drawn significant public action in February, including strong interest in Eastern Conference futures, according to BetMGM.

At the top of the board, little has changed. The Thunder remain the title favorite at +130, with the Nuggets second at +450. Denver continues to carry betting liability thanks to steady volume throughout the season, ESPN’s Doug Greenberg wrote.

Behind Cleveland, the East remains crowded. The Knicks sit at 13-1, while the Celtics and Pistons both check in at 15-1.

For the Cavs, the takeaway is simple. They are no longer being priced like a hopeful. They are being priced like a team that expects to be heard from in May and June.