NBA betting: Nets and Lakers, not the Bucks, are betting favorites for 2021-22 championship
The 2020-21 NBA season may have just ended, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to look ahead to next year.
On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns in six games to win their first NBA title since 1971. Not long after, BetMGM had championship odds available for next season.
The Bucks are among the betting favorites, but they are not the favorites. The Bucks have +800 odds to repeat, but are behind the Brooklyn Nets at +225 and the Los Angeles Lakers at +450. The Nets, who were eliminated by the Bucks in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, are set to enter their first full season with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving in the starting lineup.
The Lakers, meanwhile, dealt with an array of injuries this season and lost to the Suns in six games in the first round. It was the first first-round exit in LeBron James’ career. The Lakers won last year’s title in the bubble, but both James and Anthony Davis missed considerable time throughout this season.
Behind the Bucks are the Golden State Warriors, who are expecting the return of Klay Thompson after missing the past two seasons due to injury, at +1200. The Utah Jazz are also listed at +1200 with the Suns next at +1400 and the Philadelphia 76ers at +1600. The 76ers will deal with lingering questions surrounding Ben Simmons throughout the offseason.
The team that eliminated the 76ers, the Atlanta Hawks, are all the way down at +3500.
Full 2021-22 NBA championship odds via BetMGM
Brooklyn Nets: +225
Los Angeles Lakers: +450
Milwaukee Bucks: +800
Golden State Warriors: +1200
Utah Jazz: +1200
Phoenix Suns: +1400
Philadelphia 76ers: +1600
Los Angeles Clippers: +1800
Denver Nuggets: +2000
Dallas Mavericks: +3000
Atlanta Hawks: +3500
Miami Heat: +3500
Boston Celtics: +4000
Portland Trail Blazers: +4000
New York Knicks: +8000
Indiana Pacers: +10000
Toronto Raptors: +10000
Chicago Bulls: +12500
New Orleans Pelicans: +12500
Memphis Grizzlies: +15000
Washington Wizards: +15000
Charlotte Hornets: +20000
Minnesota Timberwolves: +25000
Sacramento Kings: +25000
San Antonio Spurs: +25000
Cleveland Cavaliers: +50000
Detroit Pistons: +50000
Houston Rockets: +50000
Oklahoma City Thunder: +50000
Orlando Magic: +50000
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