Coronavirus (COVID-19) NBA Update – Dec. 21st Edition

Doesn’t it feel like LeBron, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers just beat the Miami Heat to win the NBA title? If it feels like that, it’s because, they just did. The 2020 NBA Championship, the one in the bubble, finished in October. On Tuesday, December 22, the National Basketball Association begins a new season. Check out an update on what happened last week as we tip-off the 2020-2021 season so you can get all set and place your bets against their NBA odds!

NBA COVID-19 Update – December 21st Edition

2020-2021 NBA Season

• When: TBD
• Where: TBD

2020 NBA Championship Odds

• L.A. Lakers +275

• L.A. Clippers +650

• Milwaukee Bucks +600

• Golden State Warriors +2500

• Boston Celtics +1600

• Brooklyn Nets +650

• Miami Heat +1800

• Toronto Raptors +2500

• Denver Nuggets +1800

• Houston Rockets +2500

• Philadelphia 76ers +4000

• Dallas Mavericks +2000

• Portland Trail Blazers +4000

• New Orleans Pelicans +6600

• Utah Jazz +3300

• Phoenix Suns +3300

• Oklahoma City Thunder +10000

• Atlanta Hawks +12500

• Chicago Bulls +10000

• Indiana Pacers +12500

• Memphis Grizzlies +12500

• Washington Wizards +15000

• Minnesota Timberwolves +15000

• Orlando Magic +30000

• San Antonio Spurs +25000

• Sacramento Kings +25000

• Cleveland Cavaliers +50000

• Detroit Pistons +50000

• New York Knicks +50000

• Charlotte Hornets +50000

NBA General Managers get conservative and pick Lakers 

Most everyone believes the Lakers will repeat as NBA champs. Los Angeles got better, at least most believe they did, by acquiring or signing Marc Gasol, Wesley Matthews, and Dennis Schroder.

The Lakers dropped Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, and JaVale McGee. In his hey-day, Gasol was one of the best centers in the NBA. But he slowed down significantly in 2020 after a great 2019. 

It’s difficult to know how Gasol, Matthews, and Schroder update the Lakers. That alone makes the Lakers a tough team to back at the odds. Rajon Rondo is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. 

After he returned to the bubble, Los Angeles started winning and covering. They got lucky in a way during the NBA Finals because both Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic were hurt for most of it.

Also, like the Heat, it’s a quick turnaround for the Lakers. The NBA will play fewer games this season than they normally do. It could be a double-edged sword for LAL, though. Fewer games means they won’t be as gassed once the playoffs happen.

But fewer games also means the Lakers can’t build as big of a lead for home court, which means they can’t rest AD and LeBron as much as Frank Vogel might want to. No doubt, you have your own opinions. It may make sense to wait a couple of weeks before declaring the Lakers the 2021 champions like 81% of hoops general managers did. 

Luka a favorite over Giannis to win NBA MVP

Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the MVP two years running. He’s the second choice this season. Check out NBA MVP odds for the upcoming season.

• Luka Doncic +300
• Giannis Antetokounmpo +450
• Steph Curry +700
• LeBron James +750
• James Harden +1000
• Anthony Davis +850
• Damian Lillard +1200
• Kevin Durant +1000
• Kawhi Leonard +1400
• Nikola Jokic +1800

Luka and Giannis are at low odds to win the award. Why the +150 difference? The Bucks acquired a great player in Jrue Holiday. Holiday allows Giannis to take more breathers during games. It means Antetokounmpo mustn’t dominate as much as he has had to in the past.

Dallas must lean on Doncic every night to win games. If they don’t, they lose, which means if the Mavericks are to make the playoffs, it will be because Luka led them to the playoffs.  

NBA Season starts on December 22

The new seasons starts on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The first game has the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry traveling to New Jersey to take on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. 

In the second matchup, the Lakers and Clippers go at it in the Staple Center. The National Basketball Association is back. Let’s all celebrate!

Have a great week!

 

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