NBA Championship Odds
The 2021 NBA season is one-third of the way through its 82-game scheduled season. As the All-Star game, and halfway point of the season approaches, we dive into the odds for the 2021 NBA Finals champion futures bet. The NBA is not a league filled with parity and this can be seen by taking a look at the NBA Finals matchups, and champions over the past 20 seasons. Lebron James has led his teams to the NBA finals in 9 of the last 10 seasons, with James’ teams winning 4 of those championships. The Golden State Warriors have been in 5 of the last 6 NBA Finals led by Stephen Curry. The NBA has had 9 different teams win championships in the last 20 seasons, with three of those teams winning back-to-back championships, one three-peat. Only one of these championship-winning teams has not won multiple championships or had more than one NBA Finals appearance, that being the Toronto Raptors.
This is telling, the NBA is a superstar player-driven league. Superstars can carry their teams to the NBA Finals, and more than likely the better of the two teams wins. Take this into consideration when reviewing the Fanduel Sportsbook odds for the 21′ NBA Finals Championship future bet.
- Los Angeles Lakers +250
- Brooklyn Nets +440
- Los Angeles Clippers +500
- Philadelphia 76ers +1400
- Utah Jazz +1400
- Boston Celtics +2000
- Denver Nuggets +2700
- Dallas Mavericks +3600
- Miami Heat +3600
- See All Odds
Los Angeles Lakers (+250)
The Lakers loaded up for the 2021 NBA season by acquiring Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, and Wesley Matthews. It was evident they are going all-in on a back-to-back championship run by giving the superstar duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis an extremely deep team ready for the grind of the NBA season and a lengthy playoff run.
The Lakers currently have the second-best record in the league at 21-7 and are the number 2 seed in the Western Conference as of now. This is not a surprise to anyone as the dominance of Lebron James is as evident as ever. James continues to carry his team to averaging 25.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 7.9 APG.
The team has stepped up its defensive efforts, allowing the second-fewest PPG in the league (105.2), and tied for 1st in the league in blocks (6.1).
The Lakers do still have a few weaknesses, one being their three-point shooting is near the bottom of the league ranking 26th as they make (11) per game. The second is the fact that Davis is known as an injury-prone player. The superstar will miss significant time with his recent aggregation of an Achilles injury. The health of James and Davis will ultimately determine if the Lakers can repeat as NBA champions.
Brooklyn Nets (+440)
The Nets made the move for former MVP and current scoring superstar James Harden just over one month ago. Creating their own big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. While the idea of a big three is great for sports media talk shows and appealing for the future, the team just doesn’t have the depth this year. The trade for Harden depleted their young talent, as they traded away Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, and Caris LeVert, and the year-long injury to Spencer Dinwiddie has hurt the Nets’ depth.
However, three superstars may just be all the Nets need to get to the Finals and contend for the championship. Barring injury, this team is absolutely deadly on the offensive side of the ball. The Nets lead the league in scoring (121.4 PPG), field goal percentage (50%), and are top five in assists (27.1), three-pointers made (14.9), and three-point percentage (40.4%).
Their problems come on the defensive side of the ball, as they are the third-worst team allowing (117.7 PPG). This isn’t a formula for a championship run, the Nets will be in need of a defensive free agent or deadline trade to ensure they are ready for the playoffs.
At 17-12, the Nets have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, right behind the Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Barring an injury to one of the big three stars, the Nets will contend for the number one Eastern Conference, and a chance at the NBA Finals.
Los Angeles Clippers (+500)
The Clippers have ramped up their efforts to raise a banner in the Staples Center, one of their own, not another Lakers banner. During the offseason, the Clippers added Serge Ibaka, and Luke Kennard to the roster while substracting Montrezl Harrell via free agency, and trading away Landry Shamet.
With a record of 21-9, the Clippers are the third seed in the Western Conference and have the third-best record in the NBA behind the red hot Utah Jazz, and LA Lakers. They are the 5th best defensive team allowing (108.6) PPG. Along with their offense ranked 5th in PPG (115.4), 4th in field goal percentage (48.5%), and 1st in three-point percentage (42.4%) the Clippers are a tough matchup for any team in the NBA.
The Clippers’ weakness is their offensive consistency by players not named Leonard or George, and their troubling play at the point guard position. While not every team will have more than two players scoring +20 PPG, most teams starting point guards score in double figures. Patrick Beverly averages (8.3) PPG, and (2.2) APG, while Reggie Jackson averages (8.6) PPG, and (3.3) APG. Both point guards don’t seem to be a threat scoring or setting up their teammates with assists, this is a problem for the Clippers title hopes.
Led by their newly promoted head coach Tyrone Lue, superstars Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, the Clippers now have an idea of what it takes to get to the top of the league. After the 3-1 collapse in the 2020 playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers have been extremely focused on the ultimate goal, an NBA Championship.
Philadelphia 76ers (+1400)
The 76ers are the 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-10, that is the fourth best record in the NBA. The team has an all in approach with the offseason hire of veteran coach Doc Rivers. The 76ers then decided it was time to change the makeup of the roster and put together a team to compliment the superstar duo of Joel Embid and Ben Simmons. They traded away Al Horford, and Josh Richardson in return for three point shooting help from Danny Green, Seth Curry, and the potential of Terrance Ferguson, as well as drafting Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey.
The new look 76ers have been a defensive first team, they rank third in the NBA in both blocks (6.1), and steals (8.7). This is evident in Doc Rivers coached teams, the impact is immediate on the defensive side of the ball, and is one of the many reasons for the 76ers early success. On the offensive side of the floor, the 76ers are tied for the 8th highest scoring team in the league (114.6), and have the 6th best field goal percentage (48.1).
The 76ers will only go as far as the trio Joel Embid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris can take them. The three seem to be in a groove under Doc Rivers that they didn’t achieve in previous years, the makeup of the team now spreads the floor, and the paint doesn’t seem to be congested with big men. Keep an eye on this young team, as the odds are high for a first place team, they seem to be a piece or two away from contending for an NBA title.
Utah Jazz (+1400)
The Jazz are the story of the league this year as they hold the best record in the NBA at 20-5
They are led by rising superstar Donovan Mitchell, two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, and veteran point-guard Mike Conley. This team is red-hot and firing on all cylinders, a 9-1 record in their last ten games. They have the 4th highest scoring offense (115.6) PPG, and do so through all phases of the offense.
The roster has great depth, a rotation of 6 players that are scoring in double figures, along with Derrick Favors who would easily be a starting Center on any other NBA roster. They are playing team basketball on both sides of the floor, a recipe for success.
The growth of Donovan Mitchell will tell how far the Jazz can go in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Not very often is the best team record-wise in team sports a dark-horse to win a championship. However, they remain as a distant favorite because of the three superteams that are the Lakers, Nets, and Clippers. Keep an eye on this team, the NBA season itself is a grind, on top of the 16 wins throughout the playoffs win it all, only the strong survive.
