This was Cleveland's second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, and third overall, seeking to win their first ever NBA championship. This would also be the sixth consecutive NBA Finals appearance for LeBron James, the most for any player not part of the 1960s Boston Celtics, and the fifth for James Jones (who technically qualified for the 2011 NBA Finals along with James, but did not play). All NBA win probability predictions and picks are according to the ESPN Basketball. As we head into NBA All-Star Weekend, last year's Eastern Conference winners, the Miami Heat, made a huge move on the NBA Championship Odds' board, an Eastern Conference favorite became a title odds underlay, and a team in the West emerged as the conference's top overlay. The Cleveland Cavaliers came all the way back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the 2016 NBA Finals in seven games. Before that series started, the Cavaliers were listed as +180 underdogs to dethrone Golden State, becoming the second-biggest underdogs to win an NBA title since 1985.
NBA Championship Odds: Who Stands Out in 2021?
The NBA season kicks off approximately one week, and FanDuel Sportsbook has posted odds on every team to win the championship in 2021:
Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!
The Lakers are, unsurprisingly, the betting favorites at +270. They won the title last year behind their dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and both players will be back in LA this season. They didn't lose many valuable rotation players from that squad and have added some potential impact veterans in Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol, and Montrezl Harrell.
The Bucks have the best odds out of any team in the Eastern Conference at +550, and they'll be looking to get over the hump following two disappointing playoff exits over the past two seasons. They've been the best regular-season team in basketball over that time frame, led by back-to-back reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have the potential to be even better in 2021 after shipping Eric Bledsoe to the Pelicans in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
The Nets will be an interesting team to watch in the Futures market this season. They currently have the third-shortest title odds, but those could change drastically depending on how well Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving play together in the first season. This team also remains one of the leading contenders to acquire James Harden should he successfully force his way out of Houston. There are plenty of questions with this squad, but there's also plenty of upside.
The Clippers round out the group of contenders at +650. They were the title favorites at the start of last year's playoffs, and they jumped out to a 3-1 series lead vs. the Nuggets. That said, they were unable to finish the job and ultimately lost to the Nuggets in seven games. They have some chemistry concerns at the moment, but this team is arguably the most talented in the league. The three-man combination of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Marcus Morris outscored teams by roughly 13 points per 100 possessions when on the court last season.
As far as long shots go, the Mavericks stand out at +2200. They were the best offensive team in the league last season, thanks mostly to the play of wunderkind Luka Doncic. He averaged a ridiculous 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game despite being one of the youngest players in the league. He's the current favorite to win the MVP award on FanDuel Sportsbook at +410, and this team could join the upper echelon if he takes another step forward in 2021.
The Phoenix Suns should be another popular target at +5500. They ended the year on a strong note last season, going a perfect 8-0 in the bubble, and they added Chris Paul to their roster during the offseason. Paul remains one of the most impactful players in the league on a per-minute basis, and the Thunder increased their Net Rating by +13.8 points per 100 possessions with Paul on the court last season. He has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Suns this season.
SuperBook opens 2020-21 NBA Win Totals
The 2020-21 NBA regular season is expected to start on Tuesday Dec. 22 and this year's campaign will be a 72-game schedule, opposed to 82 games.
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook took notice of the news and opened their NBA Win Totals betting market for all 30 teams in the league.
2020-21 NBA Contenders
- Milwaukee Bucks 49.5
- Los Angeles Lakers 46.5
- Boston Celtics 45.5
- Los Angeles Clippers 45.5
Of the above four teams, the Los Angeles Lakers were the only one to participate in last year's NBA Finals as they defeated the Miami Heat at the NBA Bubble from Orlando, Florida.
2020-21 NBA Pretenders
- Detroit Pistons 23.5
- Oklahoma City Thunder 22.5
- New York Knicks 22.5
- Cleveland Cavaliers 22.5
Going .500 in this year's regular season would translate to a 36-36 record and the clubs listed above aren't expected to get nowhwere near that record. Coincidentally, all four of these teams are from the Eastern Conference.
Eastern Conference - 2020-21 Win Totals Odds
Listed below are teams from the Eastern Conference and how the oddsmakers project they'll do based on wins for 2020-21 NBA regular season.
The top eight teams in each conference will make the postseason.
- Milwaukee Bucks 49.5
- Boston Celtics 45.5
- Brooklyn Nets 45.5
- Philadelphia 76ers 45.5
- Miami Heat 44.5
- Toronto Raptors 41.5
- Indiana Pacers 39.5
- Atlanta Hawks 36.5
- Washington Wizards 32.5
- Orlando Magic 31.5
- Chicago Bulls 30.5
- Charlotte Hornets 25.5
- Detroit Pistons 23.5
- New York Knicks 22.5
- Cleveland Cavaliers 22.5
The oddsmakers at the SuperBook believe that only seven teams in the Eastern Conference will finish the 2020-21 NBA regular season above .500 (36-36).
Looking at the projections, seven teams appear to be locks to gain a playoff spot while four others (Wizards, Magic, Bulls) will fight for the eighth and final spot.
And then there are the Pretenders listed above.
Western Conference - 2020-21 Win Totals Odds
Listed below are teams from the Western Conference and how the oddsmakers project they'll do based on wins for 2020-21 NBA regular season.
The top eight teams in each conference will make the postseason.
- Los Angeles Lakers 46.5
- Los Angeles Clippers 45.5
- Denver Nuggets 44.5
- Dallas Mavericks 42.5
- Utah Jazz 42.5
- Portland Trail Blazers 41.5
- Phoenix Suns 38.5
- Golden State Warriors 36.5
- New Orleans Pelicans 36.5
- Houston Rockets 34.5
- Memphis Grizzlies 30.5
- San Antonio Spurs 29.5
- Sacramento Kings 27.5
- Minnesota Timberwolves 28.5
- Oklahoma City Thunder 22.5
Of the three divisions in the Western Conference, the Pacific Division is expected to be the most competitive in the NBA 2020-21 regular season. The Lakers (46.5) and Clippers (45.5) are expected to surpass 40 wins. The Warriors were dealt a serious blow in November as star shooter Klay Thompson was lost for the season with an Achilles' tendon tear as their win total dropped to 36.5. The Suns (38.5) have been given a tad more respect after their recent effort in the NBA Bubble last summer and the acquisition of veteran guard Chris Paul.
Seven of the 15 teams in the West are expected to finish better than .500 by the oddsmakers.
How do I read the over/under line?
For example, the Milwaukee Bucks' win total for 2020-21 season is 49.5. If you believe the Bucks will finish 49-23 or worse, taking the 'under' is the play. For 'over' bettors, the Bucks would have to finish with 50-plus wins to cash tickets.
NBA Win Totals are available for all 30 teams in the league and placing 'over/under' wagers on their season production in the regular season is a great way to follow a team all season.
For the 2020-21 regular season, all teams must play 72 regular season games for the NBA Win Total wagers to be considered live wagers or what's known in the industry as 'Action.' The NBA Win Totals Odds set do not include postseason games.
- Milwaukee Bucks 49.5
- Boston Celtics 45.5
- Brooklyn Nets 45.5
- Philadelphia 76ers 45.5
- Miami Heat 44.5
- Toronto Raptors 41.5
- Indiana Pacers 39.5
- Atlanta Hawks 36.5
- Washington Wizards 32.5
- Orlando Magic 31.5
- Chicago Bulls 30.5
- Charlotte Hornets 25.5
- Detroit Pistons 23.5
- New York Knicks 22.5
- Cleveland Cavaliers 22.5
The oddsmakers at the SuperBook believe that only seven teams in the Eastern Conference will finish the 2020-21 NBA regular season above .500 (36-36).
Looking at the projections, seven teams appear to be locks to gain a playoff spot while four others (Wizards, Magic, Bulls) will fight for the eighth and final spot.
And then there are the Pretenders listed above.
Western Conference - 2020-21 Win Totals Odds
Listed below are teams from the Western Conference and how the oddsmakers project they'll do based on wins for 2020-21 NBA regular season.
The top eight teams in each conference will make the postseason.
- Los Angeles Lakers 46.5
- Los Angeles Clippers 45.5
- Denver Nuggets 44.5
- Dallas Mavericks 42.5
- Utah Jazz 42.5
- Portland Trail Blazers 41.5
- Phoenix Suns 38.5
- Golden State Warriors 36.5
- New Orleans Pelicans 36.5
- Houston Rockets 34.5
- Memphis Grizzlies 30.5
- San Antonio Spurs 29.5
- Sacramento Kings 27.5
- Minnesota Timberwolves 28.5
- Oklahoma City Thunder 22.5
Of the three divisions in the Western Conference, the Pacific Division is expected to be the most competitive in the NBA 2020-21 regular season. The Lakers (46.5) and Clippers (45.5) are expected to surpass 40 wins. The Warriors were dealt a serious blow in November as star shooter Klay Thompson was lost for the season with an Achilles' tendon tear as their win total dropped to 36.5. The Suns (38.5) have been given a tad more respect after their recent effort in the NBA Bubble last summer and the acquisition of veteran guard Chris Paul.
Seven of the 15 teams in the West are expected to finish better than .500 by the oddsmakers.
How do I read the over/under line?
For example, the Milwaukee Bucks' win total for 2020-21 season is 49.5. If you believe the Bucks will finish 49-23 or worse, taking the 'under' is the play. For 'over' bettors, the Bucks would have to finish with 50-plus wins to cash tickets.
NBA Win Totals are available for all 30 teams in the league and placing 'over/under' wagers on their season production in the regular season is a great way to follow a team all season.
For the 2020-21 regular season, all teams must play 72 regular season games for the NBA Win Total wagers to be considered live wagers or what's known in the industry as 'Action.' The NBA Win Totals Odds set do not include postseason games.
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus pandemic, bettors with active Win Total wagers could see their bets refunded since the regular season may not return or be reduced. At the same time, losing wagers will also be refunded.
2020-21 NBA Win Totals Odds
Listed below are the 2020-21 NBA Win Totals Odds in both Ascending and Alphabetical order.
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Cleveland Odds To Win Nba Championship 2021
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SuperBook NBA Win Totals Rules
- Teams Must Play at least 69 and no more than 72 regular season games for action
- Forfeitures are deemed a non-played game
- Wagers do not include any Play-In Tournament or Postseason Games
2020-21 NBA Most Regaular-Season Wins Odds
Listed below are the 2020-21 NBA Win Totals Odds.
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2020-21 NBA Most Regaular-Season Losses Odds
Listed below are the 2020-21 NBA Loss Totals Odds.
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Odds Subject to Change - Updated Tue., Dec. 22, 2020