Entering the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Nets and Lakers were expected to reach the finals with Brooklyn taking home the championship according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Los Angeles has been eliminated from the postseason, but the Nets are still around. The Atlanta Hawks are the lone lower seed to make it to the second round, but they were considered even money with the No. 4 seed New York Knicks in the first round. Here’s a look at DraftKings Sportsbook’s updated title odds after the first round.
2021 NBA Championship odds update
Brooklyn Nets +120
Utah Jazz +300
Phoenix Suns +650
Philadelphia 76ers +800
Los Angeles Clippers +850
Milwaukee Bucks +1400
Atlanta Hawks +6000
Denver Nuggets +8000
Update, June 10 — The Suns have moved up to third after going up 2-0 against the Nuggets in their second-round series. Denver has fallen to the bottom of the odds table. The Nets have lost some value due to Harden’s injury, but remain the favorites. The Jazz and 76ers have seen their lines improve while the Clippers are now fifth after losing Game 1 to Utah.
Update, June 8 — The Nets went up 2-0 on the Bucks in their series, so both teams moved overnight. Brooklyn is up to +110 from +160. The Bucks are down to +1200 after being at +700 before Game 2. The Suns also jumped up up to fourth-best odds to win it all at +750 after their Game 1 win over the Nuggets on Monday night.
The Nets are still the favorites, but the Jazz are the big winners after LA’s elimination. Utah is considered the team to beat out West and will square off with the Clippers in the second round. The Clippers may be the most talented team on paper with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they had a tough time dealing with the Mavericks in the opening round. The Suns remain a strong value play at +900, as do the Sixers at +1000.
Best value: Philadelphia 76ers +1200
If you’re betting here with the hopes of a massive payout, the 76ers are the play. They only have to take care of one of Brooklyn and Milwaukee and are talented enough to do so with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Philadelphia won’t have to contend with the Lakers as a potential Finals opponent and should match up well with any of the teams in the West. As the No. 1 seed in the East, a healthy Sixers squad is more the capable of winning the whole thing.
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