Updated NBA Title Odds Post All-Star Weekend

With less than two months remaining in the NBA schedule and the trade deadline passing, sportsbooks have adjusted the betting odds on many top contending NBA teams. Here are the teams with the highest odds to win the Larry O’Brien trophy (via Tipico Sportsbook).

Phoenix Suns (+425)
Golden State Warriors (+480)
Brooklyn Nets (+550)
Milwaukee Bucks (+600)
Philadelphia 76ers (+700)
Miami Heat (+1000)
Utah Jazz (+1300)
Memphis Grizzlies (+2000)
(tie) Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers (+3000)

Highest Risers:

Phoenix Suns (+425):
There is a new NBA title favorite. The reigning western conference champs somehow improved this year, currently sitting at 48-10 and winning eighteen of their last nineteen. Devin Booker is quietly having a First-Team All-NBA caliber year, and Chris Paul has shown no sign of aging.

Possibly their most improved player is Mikal Bridges, who has become more than an elite defender. He is averaging 14 points per game this season, and averaging almost 37% from three-point range.

Philadelphia 76ers (+700)
To no surprise, sportsbooks agreed with the general public that the Philadelphia 76ers were the most improved team post-trade deadline. The addition of NBA 75 member James Harden boosted their championship odds to +700, compared to +2000, which was their preseason odds.

Memphis Grizzlies (+2000)
While their rise is not due to the NBA trade deadline, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies find themselves with the eighth highest title odds, despite opening at +10000. Memphis currently sits at the third seed in the western conference, and have gotten much more production than expected from many young stars.

Largest droppers:

Brooklyn Nets (+550)
While not the most drastic drop, the Brooklyn Nets are no longer the championship favorite as result of the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade. Originally, Brooklyn was the odds-on favorite to win the championship at +230 odds, and still remain as the team with the highest odds to win the east.

The team’s availability is begging to catch up to them, as Kevin Durant’s injury and Kyrie Irving’s vaccination dilemma has Brooklyn sitting at the eighth seed in the east. If the season ended today, you will be seeing this team in the play-in tournament.

Los Angeles Lakers (+3000)
Besides the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Lakers had the highest preseason title odds with +300. Since then, Los Angeles has dealt with an injury-riddled season from Anthony Davis, along with Russell Westbrook failing to live up to expectations. They currently sit four games under .500, and are on pace for their second consecutive play-in tournament. It will be interesting to see if this team can come together.

Los Angeles Clippers (+6000)
The Los Angeles Clippers opened the NBA season with +1500 title odds, however their drop comes more from unfortunate circumstances than poor play. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both are not expected to return this season, so the team lacks the starpower required to make a title run.

Best longshot bet: Denver Nuggets (+3000)

Despite dropping from their +2000 preseason odds, the Denver Nuggets remain to be an intriguing title bet if you are looking for high odds. Nikola Jokic is having another MVP caliber season, currently holding the NBA single-season record player efficiency rating.

If you’re looking for an underdog NBA Championship tam to bet, look no further than the Denver Nuggets.

The value in the bet comes with the multiple stars Denver expects to have back in the playoffs. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.’s return gives Jokic elite weapons he has not gotten to work with all season. Murray’s return will be especially impactful, who was able to help guide Denver to the Western Conference Finals in his last playoffs.