NBA Playoffs: Nets Favored In Wide-Open Title Race

Current NBA 2021 Playoffs Picks

The Brooklyn Nets remain the favorite in the 2020-21 NBA playoffs odds, but one factor is a sure bet this season - a team that has never won a title, or hasn't won one for a long time, is going to be the champion. Of the seven teams still in the hunt, only the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers have previously won a championship. Milwaukee's most recent title was in 1971, while Philly won in 1983.

• The Brooklyn Nets are +250 favorites in the 2020-21 NBA playoffs odds
• None of the last 11 franchises to win the NBA Finals are still in the playoffs
• Four of the franchises still in the playoffs have never won an NBA title

When it comes to the 2021 NBA playoffs odds, it's either going to be something old, or something completely new that emerges on top in the NBA Finals picks. The oddsmakers are leaning toward the latter of these two outcomes.

It's the star-studded Brooklyn Nets who are the +250 betting choice in the NBA Vegas odds. The Nets are a team that is loaded with talent. Brooklyn is suiting up former MVP and scoring champion James Harden, former scoring champ and NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and all-stars Kyrie Irving and Blake Griffin among its starting five.

Team
Brooklyn Nets	+250	+130
Utah Jazz	+350	+350
Phoenix Suns	+400	+450
Milwaukee Bucks	+450	+1100
Philadelphia 76ers	+600	+700
Los Angeles Clippers	+800	+1000
Atlanta Hawks	+10000	+10000

That's the closest thing to a super team left in this year's postseason. LeBron James and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers bowed out in the first round. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, three-time champions since 2015, didn't survive the play-in round. The 2018-19 NBA champion Toronto Raptors failed to make the NBA playoffs.

Among those still in the hunt, the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are the only current franchises with NBA titles to their credit. The Sixers haven't won since 1983, while the Bucks' most recent success in the NBA finals was in 1971. Technically, the Atlanta Hawks have won a title. However, it was in 1959 as the St. Louis Hawks.

The Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and the Nets all came out on the losing end in NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Clippers have never got that far in postseason play.

Nets Facing Adversity

Every title-winning team will need to overcome some adversity along their championship journey. For the first time in the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Nets lost consecutive games, falling in Games 3 and 4 at Milwaukee. The series is deadlocked 2-2. However, two of the last three games are at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The home team has yet to lose in this Eastern Conference second-round series.

There are other reasons for the Nets to be concerned. They may be without their starting backcourt for the remainder of this series. Harden (hamstring injury) hasn't played since Game 1 of the set. Irving suffered a sprained ankle in Game 4. Though x-rays of his ankle were negative, his status going forward remains uncertain.

The back-to-back losses and the injuries have combined to lengthen Brooklyn's betting odds in the NBA picks. While still favored, the line on the Nets has grown from +130 to +250.

Is This The Year Milwaukee Bucks Trend?

The previous two years, Milwaukee was the East's best regular-season team but fell short in the NBA Finals picks. This year, with lessened expectations on the team, could Milwaukee buck that trend?

The criticism of the Bucks is that too often, they rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to carry the offensive load. In the Game 3 win over Brooklyn, that duo combined for 80 percent of the Bucks' points. However, Milwaukee exhibited more of a balanced attack in Game 4.

If you think the Bucks can overcome the injury-addled Nets, now might be the time to bet on them. Milwaukee's NBA title odds shortened to +450 at Bovada. However, MyBookie was still showing the Bucks at a betting line of +1100 to win it all.

Suns Are Shining

They've already bounced the Lakers, forcing King James to abdicate his crown. Now the Phoenix Suns have eliminated NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. That means they've sent both of last year's Western Conference finalists packing.

A caveat to consider - the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis and the Nuggets are without Jamal Murray. Are the Suns that good, or is good fortune shining upon them?

Where To Bet On The NBA Playoffs?

There are a number of leading online sports betting sites that will provide bettors with the chance to place a wager on the latest NBA playoffs odds. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out BetUS and MyBookie as examples.

The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you'll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?

Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no-deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you're already a winner.

Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the right one for you: