With the 2021 NBA playoffs starting on May 22, here are our 2021 NBA Championship Picks with our odds, best bets and predictions for the 2021 NBA postseason. Keep tabs on all of our sports betting picks throughout the NBA playoffs.
2021 NBA Championship Picks: Playoff Winner Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
Odds for 2021 NBA Championship bets and predictions are listed courtesy of PointsBet. PointsBet is offering 2 Second-Chance Bets for up to $2,000 for new players. Sign up to claim this welcome promotion and place 2021 NBA playoffs futures bets during the NBA postseason.
- Brooklyn Nets (+250)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+450)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+500)
- Milwaukee Bucks (+700)
- Utah Jazz (+700)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+800)
- Phoenix Suns (+1800)
- Denver Nuggets (+3600)
- Dallas Mavericks (+4000)
- Miami Heat (+4000)
- New York Knicks (+6600)
- Atlanta Hawks (+8000)
- Portland Trail Blazers (+8000)
- Golden State Warriors (+15000)
- Boston Celtics (+20000)
- Washington Wizards (+25000)
- Charlotte Hornets (+50000)
- Chicago Bulls (+50000)
- Indiana Pacers (+50000)
- Memphis Grizzlies (+50000)
- San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
2021 NBA Championship Winner Sleeper Bets
Denver Nuggets (+3600)
Led by 2021 NBA MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are once again among the top teams in the Western Conference. They’re more than just a one-man show, however, as Michael Porter is having sensational seasons as well. It might be enough to make up for Jamal Murray‘s season-ending torn ACL. Denver is also terrific on both sides of the ball, ranking in the top 10 for most points scored per game and fewest points allowed per game.
If Jokic continues playing like he did in the regular season and Porter continues to rise to the occasion, the Nuggets are going to be very difficult to beat in the postseason.
Golden State Warriors (+15000)
Even without Klay Thompson, the Warriors remain a dangerous team. Stephen Curry is still one of the best players in the NBA and is capable of carrying the offense himself, as he’s shown by averaging a league-high 31.8 points per game this year. Andrew Wiggins has proven to be a solid wingman, and Draymond Green can do a little bit of everything. Head coach Steve Kerr has done an excellent job navigating another injury-plagued season and getting the most out of his depleted roster.
No, these aren’t the same Warriors from a few years ago, but they shouldn’t be counted out, either. If Curry gets hot, he can absolutely dominate a short series. He’s willed his team this far — maybe he can will them a little farther.
Memphis Grizzlies (+50000)
If you’re looking to roll the dice on a longshot, Memphis might be your team. The Grizzlies have emerged as surprise contenders this year thanks to their deep, well-rounded roster. They currently have seven players averaging double-digit points per game, and another two averaging between 9-10. They’re also young and scrappy, as only one player who’s played at least 10 games for them this season is over 30.
While just about everyone on Memphis can score, they also pass the ball well. The Grizzlies rank third in total assists and consistently play great team basketball. Memphis is sound defensively as well, ranking seventh in Defensive Rating and second in steals.
The Grizzlies may not be the most exciting team, but neither were the San Antonio Spurs. Their style of play can be boring, but sometimes boring wins championships.
2021 NBA Championship Picks: Best Winner Bet
Brooklyn Nets (+250)
At the end of the day, Brooklyn has the most talent. Between Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden, their roster features three of the NBA’s premier scorers, making the Nets impossible to shut down on offense. Brooklyn has essentially copied what the Warriors did a few years ago by building a superteam, and that worked out pretty well for Golden State.
It’s going to take a herculean effort to bring them down in the postseason, and I just can’t see anyone doing it.
