NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The NBA season is about to tip-off during the Christmas Holidays with a full slate of games! That is including the traditional games on Christmas day. That means that there is just enough time to get in a final pre-season power ranking list for all thirty NBA teams!
There are a few things to consider heading into the season. First, this is the shortest offseason ever for the NBA. Generally, there are around 125 – 133 days during the offseason. But to COVID-19 stretching last season out – for almost an entire year – this offseason will only be 71 days.
Best Online Bookies for NBA Betting
Also, the schedule has been shortened to only 72 games and the Toronto Raptors will move south for the year with home games being played in Tampa.
Long story short – will a shortened offseason with less time for players to recover from injury or properly train cause any ripples during the season? Will traded players and rookies have time to dive into new systems and coaching styles?
Who knows, but it’s information that needs to be pointed out. Now – on with the NBA 2021 Final Preseason Power Rankings.
NBA Power Rankings – The Top Ten
Preseason ranking with odds to win 2021 NBA Championship outright according to Intertops.
No. 1 – LAKERS: Yes, this is kind of obvious but that’s for a good reason. If anything, the Lakers come into the season stronger than they were last season when they won the Championship… again! They’ve added some depth and have returning players that have more time on the court with a Championship team. That means some extra down-time for LeBron James or Anthony Davis during the season if needed.
Odds to win Championship: +275
Over 47½ Wins -115
Under 47½ Wins -115
No. 2 – CLIPPERS: The Clippers looked strong last season but seemed to be missing some on-court chemistry. Playing time from last year, a playoff run, and a new coach keep the Clippers towards the top of the power-ranking list this year. A healthy Paul George is a big part of the equation. Hopefully, his shoulder issues are healed up.
Odds to win Championship: +550
Over 46½ Wins -130
Under 46½ Wins +100
No. 3 – BUCKS: The big question was answered when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks came together and he signed his extension. That ensures the Bucks will have their dominant power-forward this season. Also, they’ve made some good moves such as bring in veteran Jrue Holiday for both a defensive and scoring punch.
Odds to win Championship: +600
Over 50½ Wins -115
Under 50½ Wins -115
No. 4 – HEAT: The Heat probably could have been my No. 3 team as they return the core of their lineup including retaining much of their depth off the bench. One big note, Jae Crowder moved from the Heat to the Suns this season so they will be leaning on Moe Harkless to fill some of that void.
Odds to win Championship: +1600
Under 43½ Wins -130
Over 43½ Wins +100
No. 5 – NETS: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving make the Nets instant contenders! They bring back solid players, have built up the bench, and should be a scoring machine with a bolstered defense. Look for a deep run during the postseason.
Odds to win Championship: +550
Over 44½ Wins -140
Under 44½ Wins +110
Live NBA Odds for Every Game
No. 6 – NUGGETS: The Nuggets will be looking for a strong season from both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Then add in Murray Michael Porter Jr. and hopefully healthier versions of Gary Harris and Will Barton. Some tweaking on the starting lineup may come into play but things should be ironed out a few weeks into the season.
Odds to win Championship: +2000
Over 43½ Wins -115
Under 43½ Wins -115
No. 7 – CELTICS: It’s going to be hard for the Celtics to replace Gordon Hayward but they’ve made some moves during the offseason and Rookie point guard Payton Pritchard has looked like a seasoned player during the short preseason. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be leaned on for putting added points on the board.
Odds to win Championship: +1400
Under 44½ Wins -130
Over 44½ Wins +100
No. 8 – RAPTORS: The Raptors will once again look towards Nick Nurse, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet to prove they are a better team than people think. They hope to build on last year despite the loss of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Probably one of the most well-balanced teams in the upper-ranks of the NBA – strong this year and probably even better in 2022.
Odds to win Championship: +2000
Under 42½ Wins -130
Over 42½ Wins +100
No. 9 – 76ERS: Look for Danny Green and Seth Curry to improve shooting for the 76ers. The team remains strong, looks great on paper, and should have an impressive bench. All that remains is the team coming together instead of being seemingly splintered during parts of last season. Hopefully, the drama is in the rearview mirror.
Odds to win Championship: +2200
Over 44½ Wins -115
Under 44½ Wins -115
No. 10 – JAZZ: The Jazz should be a quick scoring machine this season with Donovan Mitchell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Mike Conley in his second year with Utah. The only struggle will once again be on, what is hoped to be an improved, defense.
Odds to win Championship: +2800
Over 42½ Wins -115
Under 42½ Wins -115
NBA Power Rankings – The Contenders
No. 11 – WARRIORS: Look for fast play from Steph Curry and Draymond Green. This squad needs the veterans to stay healthy all season.
Odds to win Championship: +2200
Under 37½ Wins -130
Over 37½ Wins +100
No. 12 – TRAIL BLAZERS: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Jusuf Nurkic are a strong core. A strengthened rotation of starters should improve their season from last year.
Odds to win Championship: +4000
Over 40½ Wins -130
Under 40½ Wins +100
No. 13 – MAVERICKS: A strong offense again but their big man, Kristaps Porzingis, is expected to miss some time. If they win without him they should be in the mix at the end of the regular season.
Odds to win Championship: +2200
Over 42½ Wins -115
Under 42½ Wins -115
No. 14 – ROCKETS: There may be a soap-opera around James Harden so let’s skip that topic. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Christian Wood make the Rockets strong, maybe strong enough without Harden.
Odds to win Championship: +2800
Over 34½ Wins -115
Under 34½ Wins -115
No. 15 – SUNS: The Suns have added Chris Paul and Jae Crowder to help Devin Booker take the Suns to the next level. Depth may be their only issue.
Odds to win Championship: +4000
Over 38½ Wins -145
Under 38½ Wins +115
Expert NBA Picks All Season Long
No. 16 – PELICANS: The phrase – just wait till next year – is here! The Pelicans have Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball with a deep bench. A playoff contender at the least. With an improved defense – if it can develop over the season – they could go deep towards a Championship.
Odds to win Championship: +5000
Under 35½ Wins -145
Over 35½ Wins +115
Need a Miracle to Contend for the 2021 NBA Title
No. 17 – PACERS: A solid team on paper and the court, just need a “superstar” or two.
Odds to win Championship: +10000
Under 39½ Wins -130
Over 39½ Wins +100
No. 18 – HAWKS: Strong and improved on offense. The defense will be the problem.
Odds to win Championship: +10000
Over 36½ Wins -125
Under 36½ Wins -105
No. 19 – GRIZZLIES: Similar to the Hawks, can’t afford any injuries.
Odds to win Championship: +12500
Over 30½ Wins -150
Under 30½ Wins +120
No. 20 – SPURS: The Spurs defense has been towards the bottom of the barrel the last two seasons. It may not be any better this year.
Odds to win Championship: +10000
Over 29½ Wins -130
Under 29½ Wins +100
No. 21 – MAGIC: The opposite story goes for The Magic has a great defense but needs help with the offense.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Over 31½ Wins -115
Under 31½ Wins -115
No. 22 – WIZARDS: Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal can light things up. But can the Wizards’ defense keep them in games? If not, look for trades.
Odds to win Championship: +12500
Over 32½ Wins -145
Under 32½ Wins +115
No. 23 – KINGS: De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley are the core – but the Kings have hit the injury wall several seasons and they seem to love locker room drama.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Over 28½ Wins -130
Under 28½ Wins +100
No. 24 – BULLS: The Bulls are completely underrated and packed with talent. They may be one year away from being in the playoffs and going deep.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Over 29½ Wins -115
Under 29½ Wins -115
No. 25 – HORNETS: LaMelo Ball equals high-hopes on offense. The defense should be improved, how much better? That’s the question.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Under 27½ Wins -140
Over 27½ Wins +110
Read Our NBA Player Props Betting Guide
No. 26 – TIMBERWOLVES: Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards – three names worth watching. The defense is improved but still needs help.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Over 29½ Wins -130
Under 29½ Wins +100
No. 27 – THUNDER: The Thunder have plenty of names, young, veterans, and trade bait. The rebuilding continues.
Odds to win Championship: +15000
Under 22½ Wins -125
Over 22½ Wins -105
No. 28 – PISTONS: A rebuilding in progress with plenty of possible trades during the season.
Odds to win Championship: +25000
Over 23½ Wins -115
Under 23½ Wins -115
No. 29 – KNICKS: The Knicks are geared towards keeping the team relevant while building for the future. They will win some exciting games but not too many of them.
Odds to win Championship: +25000
Over 22½ Wins -115
Under 22½ Wins -115
No. 30 – CAVALIERS: Sadly, the Cav’s are years away from the glory days with Labron James. The rebuild continues.
Odds to win Championship: +25000
Over 21½ Wins -130
Under 21½ Wins +100
Check out our online sportsbook rankings before the NBA season begins.
