The NBA worked through a shortened season this year with “bubble” style play due to COVID-19 restrictions with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the Championship over the Miami Heat. Now the NBA has announced that the upcoming season will be shortened slightly to allow for any needed changes.
But, one thing has not changed – The LA Lakers are one of the favorites to win the upcoming 2020-2021 season. The NBA is shooting for an opening day round of games on Tuesday, December 22, and the Lakers are favored to win their division but oddsmakers seem to think that the LA Clippers will give them another fight according to BetOnline.
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One of the first games on the NBA schedule is a match-up between the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors. That means it’s time to mark your calendars as Kevin Durant, now with the Nets, will be facing off against his old team! Here’s how things break down by NBA Division – starting with the Christmas Week opening games.
Check Out the 2020/21 NBA Schedule
Opening Night Tuesday, December 22
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Wednesday, December 23
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns ( 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Friday, December 25: Christmas Day
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics (5:00 p.m. ET, ABC)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)
LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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2020-21 NBA Division Futures Odds
Here are the Division futures for the NBA 2020-2021 season. As can be expected, both the Lakers and the Heat are favorites to win their respected Division signaling a possible repeat of last season’s Championship series. Track NBA division standings all season long.
NBA Atlantic Division Futures Predictions
Brooklyn Nets +175
Boston Celtics +250
Philadelphia 76ers +350
Toronto Raptors +350
New York Knicks +15000
The Atlantic Division has two perennial favorites in the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics. Both teams have retained a solid base lineup. The Nets have brought in Kevin Durant, mentioned above, and are favored slightly at +175 to +250. But. They should also be considered as a favorite to win the Championship as well. More on that in a future article. The “hidden in plain sight” secret is that The Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors are both close behind at +350. These two teams could take advantage of any stumbles by the Nets or Celtics in a slightly shortened season.
NBA Central Division Futures Predictions
Milwaukee Bucks -3300
Indiana Pacers +1000
Chicago Bulls +5000
Detroit Pistons +8000
Cleveland Cavaliers +10000
Look for the Milwaukee Bucks (-3300) to be as strong as ever as they return a ton of talent. They should cruise through the Central Division with ease barring any injuries. Even then, it would take a Herculean effort for the Indiana Pacers (+1000) to stay close to them. The Bucks will take on the Boston Celtics on day two of the upcoming NBA season.
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NBA Northwest Division Futures Predictions
Denver Nuggets +100
Utah Jazz +210
Portland Trail Blazers +325
Minnesota Timberwolves +2500
Oklahoma City Thunder +8000
The Northwest Division could be the toss-up Division in the NBA. Yes, the Denver Nuggets (+100) are favored with a returning strong lineup following last season’s run and playoff appearance. That being said, the Utah Jazz (+210) and the Portland Trail Blazers (+325) have strong enough rosters to trip up the Nuggets.
NBA Pacific Division Futures Predictions
Los Angeles Lakers -125
LA Clippers +150
Golden State Warriors +1200
Phoenix Suns +1400
Sacramento Kings +10000
The Lakers and the Clippers will be one of the two opening day games on December 22. That’s a division match-up that could have an instant impact on who wins the Pacific Division. The Lakers are favorites to win the Pacific Division and as well one of the teams to battle for the Championship. The Lakers roster includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis of course, and they’ve added to their roster center Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, and guard Dennis Schröder.
2020/21 NBA Championship Odds
NBA Southeast Division Futures Predictions
Miami Heat -275
Atlanta Hawks +500
Washington Wizards +900
Orlando Magic +1400
Charlotte Hornets +2500
Some are counting out the Miami Heat (-275) on being able to continue their success from last season’s appearance in the NBA Championship game. I’m not sure why. They plowed through the Indiana Paces in the first round and then did the same to the Bucks. They have not changed that much, roster-wise, heading into the upcoming year. The Heat will take on the New Orleans Pelicans on day three of the NBA’s opening week. It could give us a good idea if the Heat returns with the same form as last season.
NBA Southwest Division Futures Predictions
Dallas Mavericks -180
Houston Rockets +350
New Orleans Pelicans +750
Memphis Grizzlies +1100
San Antonio Spurs +2500
The Dallas Mavericks (-180) have used the shortened off-season to continue their rebuild while keeping the working parts of their roster intact. Gone is Seth Curry, but they’ve landed Tyrell Terry (Stanford) during the draft. Hopes are that Terry’s success at Stanford shooting deep replaces some of Curry’s numbers. One note about the Southwest, I think the Pelicans (+750) could be a surprise team this season. Their roster now includes Zion Williamson, Steven Adams, Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, and an improved bench.
