One NBA title contender looks downright pathetic after a major injury while another has found its groove. Also, the best team in the league remains a championship overlay. Keep reading for the latest National Basketball Association news so you can continue making your bets against their NBA odds.
NBA COVID-19 Update – February 25th Edition
2020-2021 NBA Season
- When: Dec. 22, 2020 – May 16, 2021
2020-21 NBA Championship Odds
- L.A. Lakers +250
- L.A. Clippers +525
- Milwaukee Bucks +750
- Golden State Warriors +6000
- Boston Celtics +2500
- Brooklyn Nets +330
- Miami Heat +4000
- Toronto Raptors +2800
- Denver Nuggets +2500
- Houston Rockets +15000
- Philadelphia 76ers +1600
- Dallas Mavericks +4500
- Portland Trail Blazers +5000
- New Orleans Pelicans +7000
- Utah Jazz +800
- Phoenix Suns +3300
- Oklahoma City Thunder +20000
- Atlanta Hawks +8000
- Chicago Bulls +20000
- Indiana Pacers +4000
- Memphis Grizzlies +10000
- Washington Wizards +20000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +50000
- Orlando Magic +25000
- Sacramento Kings +20000
- San Antonio Spurs +6000
- Cleveland Cavaliers +30000
- Detroit Pistons +50000
- New York Knicks +10000
- Charlotte Hornets +20000
Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers are an average NBA team
Last week, Anthony Davis got hurt. AD has had injury issues throughout his career. This time, he hurt his calf. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers are proving to be a mediocre squad. Perhaps, we should have written, mediocre at best.
Since Davis went to the bench, opponents have drubbed the Lakers. Not counting their Feb. 24 matchup against the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles has lost three straight: 109-98 to the Nets, 96-94 against the Heat, and 127-124 in overtime to the Wizards.
The Nets and Heat are decent squads but the Wizards? Washington is one of the worst teams in the NBA. Even without Anthony Davis, a Lakers team with Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James should beat the Wizards by 5 to 6 at home.
Laker fans shouldn’t expect a turnaround any time soon. AD is out until mid-March.
Brooklyn is playing like a championship team
Less than a month ago, we wrote the Brooklyn Nets off as a team that couldn’t do more than outscore opponents. We based our thinking because of the facts.
Not only are Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, all big time scorers, the Nets’ top players, but Brooklyn’s coach is Steve Nash, the man who invented shoot first and play defense later. Why wouldn’t the Nets try to score 130 every night while giving up at least 120 to their opponents?
But Nash understands basketball, which is why he’s gotten his team to play defense. The Nets have won five straight since beating the Indiana Pacers 104-94 on Feb. 10.
Brooklyn held the Lakers to 98 points on Feb. 18. Nash, The Beard, and Kyrie have created a situation where if teams want to run with the Nets, like the Phoenix Suns tried on Feb. 16, Brooklyn can run.
If teams want to slow it down, the Nets can win playing that style as well. Right now, Brooklyn is the best team in the East. They’re a much better pick at +330 to win rings than the Lakers are at +200.
Even at +800, Utah could be an overlay to win the NBA Title
Brooklyn won with Kevin Durant injured. That makes them the scariest team in the league for sure.
But although the Nets are playing great, the Utah Jazz remain the best team in the NBA. Heading into their Feb. 24 game against the Lakers, the Jazz are 25-6 SU. They’ve gone 23-8 ATS.
Utah averages 116 points per, ranking third in the NBA. They allow 106.4 per, which also ranks third in the NBA. The 10-point difference between what the Jazz score and allow each game is massive.
At +800, they remain an overlay to win the title. If you agree with us, jump on the odds. After 31 games, it’s apparent the Jazz can hang, and beat, any team in the NBA.
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