The Los Angeles Lakers (19-6) and Brooklyn Nets (14-12) continue to be the top two favorites on the NBA championship futures board, but the streaking Utah Jazz (20-5) saw their title odds jump to +1600.
The Westgate SuperBook updated their 2021 NBA championship odds. The Jazz are now the sixth-highest on the futures board and the third-best team from the Western Conference.
The Jazz are off to their best start in franchise history. They became the first team in the NBA to reach the 20-win mark. It’s been a wild ride for the Jazz this season. Prognosticators didn’t give them much of a chance. Oddsmakers listed the Jazz at +4000 odds to win the championship before the season began.
| NBA FUTURES 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS |
| NOW | 1/14/21 |
| LA Lakers | +250 | +200 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +375 | +350 |
| LA Clippers | +500 | +800 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +700 | +800 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1200 | +2000 |
| Utah Jazz | +1600 | +3000 |
| Boston Celtics | +2000 | +2000 |
| Denver Nuggets | +2200 | +3000 |
Four weeks ago, you could back the Utah Jazz to win the title at +3000 odds. Quinn Snyder’s team started the season on shaky ground with a 4-4 record. Since that low point, the Jazz went on an 11-game winning streak. After winning 16 out of 17 games, the Utah Jazz saw their odds bump from +3000 to +1600.
The Jazz are still the best NBA team against the spread with an 18-7 ATS record.
SPIDA AGAIN 🕷 pic.twitter.com/elq8bbIu0x
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 10, 2021
Can’t Beat Sixers in Philly
Only the Philadelphia 76ers (18-7) saw more movement in their NBA futures. The Sixers, under new head coach Doc Rivers, are the top team in the Eastern Conference. Only the Lakers and the Jazz have more wins than the Sixers.
We still haven’t cracked the code behind the Sixers’ stellar home record. Last season, they were unbeatable at Wells Fargo Center in Philly. This season, the Sixers boast the top home record in the league at 11-2. They’re mere mortals on the road at 7-5.
Joel Embiid, in the middle of an MVP season, averages a career-best 29.1 ppg. He’s ranked #4 in scoring. Since his 45-point monster of a game against the Miami Heat in January, he’s averaging 32.8 ppg.
Embiid only registers 1.3 blocks per game, but he’s a pest in the paint and forces players to alter their shots or abandon them altogether by passing once they see him closing the gap. His 1.4 steals per game is a new career-high, as well.
Philly is on a 9-2 stretch, but they’re in the middle of a West Coast road trip. They have three more games out West (Portland, Phoenix, and Utah) before they return home to Philly. Mark your calendar for Feb. 15 when the Sixers have a showdown with the Jazz.
The Sixers are the third-best team in the NBA against the spread with a 14-10-1 ATS record.
Will the Miami Heat Finally Wake Up?
The problem with the NBA this season is that there are too many teams stuck in the middle of the pack. As such, it’s tough to truly gauge their worth. Which of those middle-tier teams can get hot in the playoffs and make a run like the Miami Heat did last season?
This year’s Heat might be last year’s Heat, at least that’s what head coach Erik Spoelstra is hoping. The Heat were 7-14 at their lowest point this season, but they’ve turned around their terrible start to the season with a three-game winning streak. They went from the bottom three teams in the Eastern Conference and moved within striking distance of the #8 playoff seed. If you’re looking for value, then fire away at the Heat at +2500.
| NBA FUTURES 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS |
- Miami Heat +2500
- Dallas Mavericks +2800
- Phoenix Suns +4000
- Indiana Pacers +5000
- Portland Trail Blazers +5000
- Toronto Raptors +5000
- Golden State Warriors +6600
- Atlanta Hawks +10000
- New Orleans Pelicans +10000
- Charlotte Hornets +15000
- Houston Rockets +15000
- Memphis Grizzlies +15000
- San Antonio Spurs +15000
The Portland Trail Blazers can make a run when CJ McCollum returns from a foot injury. Damian Lillard has been shooting lights out since his backcourt mate went down a few weeks ago. The Blazers are now +5000 odds to win the championship.
If Chris Paul can keep the streaky Phoenix Suns on the right track, they could be a difficult opponent in the postseason. The Suns were +3000 odds after a great start, but slipped to +4000 during an up-and-down stretch.
If you’re looking to avoid teams, then stay far away from the Dallas Mavericks (11-14). They’re +2800 odds to win the title, but those numbers are inflated for the third-worst team in the Western Conference.
Dunzo or Legit Long Shot?
The Sacramento Kings are 12-12 and playing their best ball in years, which is pretty crazy considering they’re a .500 team. They’re currently in the ninth spot in the Western Conference and just a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors in the #8 seed.
| NBA TITLE LONG SHOTS |
- Orlando Magic +20000
- Sacramento Kings +25000
- Chicago Bulls +50000
- Cleveland Cavaliers +50000
- Detroit Pistons +50000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +50000
- New York Knicks +50000
- Oklahoma City Thunder +50000
- Washington Wizards +50000
The New York Knicks are lumped together with the bottom feeders of the league. The Knicks (11-15) are +50000 odds to win the title, which is a true pipe dream. But the Knicks are a much-improved team this season under new head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks are fighting for the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference, but save your money. The Knicks are still a long way off from winning a championship, but they’re definitely better than the putrid teams occupying the bottom tiers of the NBA.
