Updated NBA Title Odds
Favorites
Brooklyn Nets +240
Los Angeles Lakers +350
Los Angeles Clippers +650
Utah Jazz +700
Milwaukee Bucks +750
The Nets have only played a small handful of games with their big-three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, but assuming they’re all healthy come playoff time, they are a decent favorite to win the NBA Finals. The Lakers have also battled injuries, but the return of Anthony Davis and the upcoming return of LeBron James are encouraging for their title hopes.
The Clippers, Jazz, and Bucks are all close together, following Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Utah is the most interesting addition to this tier, as their league-best 44-15 record has now elevated them to real “favorite” status. The Clippers and Bucks, meanwhile, are hoping to avenge disappointing second-round exits from last season.
Contenders
Philadelphia 76ers +1200
Phoenix Suns +2000
Denver Nuggets +3500
Miami Heat +3800
Dallas Mavericks +4000
Boston Celtics +5000
Portland Trail Blazers +6000
The big two teams here are the 76ers and Suns, each of whom own the two-seeds in their respective conferences. Philadelphia, despite a long stretch without MVP candidate Joel Embiid, is just half a game behind the Nets in the Eastern Conference for the one-seed, which would earn them home-court advantage until the Finals.
Denver’s odds took a big hit with the season-ending injury to Jamal Murray. However, MVP favorite Nikola Jokic is keeping them in contention. Last year’s runner-up Miami is currently in the play-in round but is a possible sleeper once the playoffs start again.
Longshots
Atlanta Hawks +10000
New York Knicks +10000
Indiana Pacers +15000
Memphis Grizzlies +15000
Toronto Raptors +15000
Chicago Bulls +25000
Golden State Warriors +25000
New Orleans Pelicans +25000
San Antonio Spurs +25000
Charlotte Hornets +50000
Washington Wizards +50000
There’s an interesting mix of teams here, headline by the four-seed Knicks. With the league’s best scoring defense and an experienced head coach Tom Thibodeau at the helm, they’re a team that could have fun grinding it out in a playoff series. The Hawks are also in this group, tied with New York in the East.
One interesting team in this group of longshots is the Warriors, thanks purely to the MVP-caliber play of Steph Curry. The Hornets are also a little lower than expected, being the eight-seed in the East, and will be getting LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward back before the playoffs begin.
See You Next Season
Sacramento Kings +100000
Cleveland Cavaliers +150000
Detroit Pistons +150000
Oklahoma City Thunder +150000
Orlando Magic +150000
Out of all of these teams, the Cavaliers find themselves closest to the postseason. Trailing the Wizards for the 10-seed by five games, Cleveland needs guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland to anchor them on offense while Jarrett Allen takes care of business down low.
While the Kings may have had a chance, winning just two of their last 10 games has really hurt their odds to make the playoffs, let alone with the title. Same for the Magic, who, after selling at the deadline, are just 1-9 in their last 10 contests.
Eliminated
Minnesota Timberwolves
Houston Rockets
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