NBA betting is back for another run, with the season tipping off December 22. NBA championship odds are among the most popular futures bets in sports, and this season's short-and-sweet format promises additional plot twists in an already-fun sweat.
Our staff have broken down the NBA odds and come up with their favorite bets in a variety of futures markets. Here are our NBA championship odds picks: (odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
NBA Championship Odds Picks
Jason Logan, Senior Industry Analyst (@CoversJLo)
As a Lakers fan, it kills me to pick the Clips. But LeBron got his title in L.A. and now it’s Kawhi’s turn. Leonard and Paul George have a great talent base around them and a hungry new coach. I like L.A.’s “other” team at this price, as the stock on the Clippers is pretty low after they went bust in the bubble.
PICK: Los Angeles Clippers +650
Andrew Caley, Senior Editor (@Covers_Caley)
Going with a bit of a long shot here. The Nuggets proved they were for real in the bubble, winning two tough seven-game series before getting ousted by the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Denver has two legit stars in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. is a step closer to breaking out, and now they add Bol Bol to the mix. They also play defense, have depth, and are well-coached. They’re a great bet to take the next step.
PICK: Denver Nuggets +1,600
Zachary Cohen, NBA Writer (@_ZCO)
The Clippers have become a punchline after the way they went out in the bubble, but swapping out Montrezl Harrell for Serge Ibaka makes them a lot better, and Tyronn Lue is better-suited to lead this team than Doc Rivers was.
PICK: Los Angeles Clippers +650
Jared Hochman, Publishing Editor (@JLHoch)
As a Knicks fan it pains me to say this, but the Nets are really scary. They were a frisky team last year with Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen leading the way. Now we’re putting Kyrie Irving back in the mix along with Kevin Durant, aka one of the three best basketball players on the planet.
Yes, Kyrie and KD could implode. Yes, they could blow up the team and trade for James Harden. But I’m banking on Durant coming back nastier than ever—without the pressure of needing to win that ‘first’ title.
I like the boys outta Bed-Stuy to run through a relatively-soft Eastern Conference, which is half the battle of winning the title, then I’m picking Durant and Kyrie in the finals...while KD also breaks the record for most “Ray Allen f-y’all snarls” given in one season.
PICK: Brooklyn Nets +600
AJ Salah, Publishing Editor (@Salas42_)
Boring chalk pick, I know. But the Lakers won the 2020 title without ever really looking tested (albeit with Miami down two of its best players for the Finals’ crucial stretch). Then they went out and made significant upgrades to their supporting cast, particularly having Dennis Schroder to initiate the offense in non-LeBron minutes.
As with MVP, lots of contenders have question marks: The Clippers need to gut-check and harness a new identity. The Nets need to avoid any of several potential meltdown scenarios. The Heat and Nuggets will need to re-capture the bubble’s momentum as they evolve. And the Bucks face serious questions about Mike Budenholzer’s viability as a playoff coach. Give me the champs to repeat until someone truly rattles their chain.
PICK: Los Angeles Lakers +270
Where Can I Bet on NBA Championship Odds?
With the 2020-21 season underway, most sportsbooks and casinos will have NBA Title odds posted. Check out the top sportsbooks in your region and see what they are offering for NBA futures odds.
