Steve Starr
- BetOnline‘s updated 2021 NBA Championship odds still favor the Brooklyn Nets (+225) despite their rotten injury luck
- The winner of the Jazz (+340) and Clippers (+800) series will meet the Suns (+350) in the Western Conference Finals
- Chris Paul is only four wins away from a first-ever NBA Finals appearance
So much for the Brooklyn Nets’ superteam. After losing James Harden to a hamstring strain in their Game 1 win against Milwaukee, Kyrie Irving turned his right ankle in Game 4, knocking him out for the rest of the second-round playoff series.
With Kevin Durant the only one of Brooklyn’s “Big Three” left standing in the NBA playoffs, can the Nets survive Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals? And what about the surging Phoenix Suns, who swept NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in four games?
This year’s NBA Finals promises to be one that nobody predicted. Let’s check out the latest title odds and make our picks. And if you need any help or advice, review these tips for betting on basketball.
2021 NBA Championship Odds
 |
|
| Brooklyn Nets | +225 |
| Utah Jazz | +340 |
| Phoenix Suns | +350 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +500 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +525 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +800 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +10000 |
Brooklyn Nets still title favorites?
Brooklyn (+225) is still favored to win the NBA title, which could indicate that oddsmakers expect James Harden to return sooner than later. The three-time scoring champion missed over a month of the regular season with a hamstring injury but Nets coach Steve Nash said prior to Game 3 vs. Milwaukee (+500) that he’s progressing nicely from the injury.
After the James Harden trade in January, the Nets ended up playing 15 games without two of their three superstars and still ranked as a top-10 offensive team. But if the Beard misses the rest of the Bucks series (2-2), it will be up to 2017 and 2018 Finals MVP Kevin Durant to carry the load.
Big Baby reacts to Kyrie Irving’s ankle injury
(h/t @CelticsGRD ) pic.twitter.com/RToEKKBmOI
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) June 13, 2021
The Philadelphia 76ers (+525) had an injury scare of their own when Joel Embiid tore the meniscus in his right knee in the first round, but the All-Star big man has looked no worse for wear in the series against the Hawks (+10000). He’s averaged 35.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in three games against Atlanta and even played through an ankle injury in Game 3.
The Sixers took two of three against the Nets this year and would be in excellent position to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2001 if Harden can’t make it back. However, Giannis and the Bucks swept Philly 3-0 in their season series.
Suns await winner of Clippers-Jazz
Phoenix (+350) finished off a second-round sweep of the Nuggets after Jokic was ejected from Game 4 on a questionable call. The Suns now await the winner of the Clippers-Jazz series, which resumes in Los Angeles on Monday night with Utah holding a 2-1 lead.
Chris Paul was brilliant against Denver, averaging 25.5 points with an absurd 41-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer is now only four wins away from a first-ever NBA Finals appearance.
Chris Paul drops a season-high and the most he's scored in any game in three years 👀
☀️ 37 Pts
☀️ 7 Ast
☀️ 14/19 FG
☀️ 9/9 FT pic.twitter.com/hq7cpJ9lLB— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 14, 2021
Paul may have a chance to play his former team, the Clippers (+800), if they can overcome a 2-0 hole in consecutive series. The Jazz (+340) are still viewed as slight favorites to come out of the West, but we believe Phoenix is primed to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 when Charles Barkley and company lost to the Bulls.
And how incredible would it be if the Suns ended up facing their old friend Steve Nash in the finals?
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
