NBA 2020-21 Season: Betting Preview Odds

The 2020-21 NBA regular season is set to tip off just days before Christmas, and there is once again a nice slate of games set to take place on Christmas Day.

The league has been forced to make some changes to the normal operations and schedule as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to mess with live sporting events.

The biggest change is that each team will play just 72 regular-season games this season as opposed to playing 82 as usual. The league is also set to announce the schedule in two parts, with the second section coming later in the year.

Betting Markets Already Open To Bettors

There is still plenty of excitement surrounding the upcoming NBA season, and betting markets are already open to sports bettors. Futures markets can lead to some big-time payouts if you are successful in those wagers.

With that in mind, we will focus on some of the top available futures betting markets available for the upcoming 2020-21 NBA season at BetNow.

Odds to Win 2020-21 Eastern Conference

One of the top NBA futures betting markets is a bet on which team will win each of the two conferences in the NBA. Here are the current odds to win the Eastern Conference with all of the teams listed:

The Miami Heat are the reigning champions of the Eastern Conference, with odds currently being offered at +550. That means that there are three teams ahead of the Heat, with the Milwaukee Bucks being listed at +250 to win.

The Brooklyn Nets were an average team in 2019-20, but they are now one of the favorites this season. Brooklyn will have two perennial All-Stars leading the way in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. They are now the odds-on favorites to win the East at +230.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons check in at +12500, and there isn’t much of a chance for these teams to win the conference.

Odds to Win 2020-21 Western Conference

Odds to win the 2020-21 Western Conference are also available, and this is another popular futures betting market. The reigning NBA champions are in this conference, and they are the clear favorites at this time. 

Here are the current betting odds for all of the teams in the Western Conference:

Unlike the Eastern Conference, there are two teams that are considered ahead of the pack in the Western Conference. The two teams from Los Angeles are expected to battle it out for the Western Conference title, and this was the case a season ago. 

The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are the next group of teams looking to upset the Lakers, who are the favorites to win the West at +130 and Clippers (+275) at the top of the conference, and both teams are loaded with young talent. 

The three teams at the bottom of this list are not nearly as bad as the teams in the Eastern Conference, but they are viewed as clear longshots to win the conference this season. 

The middle of the Western Conference is crowded with some solid teams, but it’s going to be a two-team race until another team proves that it is worthy.

Odds to Win 2020-21 NBA Championship

Here are the current odds to win the NBA championship, with the top 10 betting favorites being listed:

It should come as no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers are the early favorites to repeat as NBA champions. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are back this season, and the Lakers have plenty of depth as well.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are each listed at +650, and these two teams are expected to battle it out in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn will have Durant and Irving both healthy and ready to play together this season. 

The LA Clippers check in at +678 after a disappointing exit in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Doc Rivers is no longer in charge of this team as it will be Ty Lue running the show. 

Eastern Conference Challengers

The next group of teams features some challengers in the Eastern Conference, including the Miami Heat. Miami made a stunning run to the NBA Finals a season ago before losing to the Lakers. 

Another notable team on this list is the Golden State Warriors at +2500. Stephen Curry will make his return to the floor this season, but Golden State will be without Klay Thompson.

Every other team in the league is currently being offered at +2800 or higher, but these odds will obviously change as the season moves along.

Odds to Win NBA Regular-Season MVP

Another popular NBA futures betting market is on the regular-season MVP award. Odds are also available for this betting market, and these odds will change as frequently as the conference champion odds change.

The league is once again loaded with some incredible talent, and there are some of the best players in the league at the top of the list. Here are the current NBA regular-season MVP odds for the top 10 players:

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two-time reigning MVP of the NBA, but he is not the favorite heading into the season. That title belongs to Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic at +325.

Curry (+800), Davis (+900), and James (+900) are all expected to compete for this award.

About the Author

Ryan Knuppel

Sports Betting and Gambling Writer

Ryan is a sports and iGaming expert bitten by the entrepreneurship bug. Founder of a couple of sports media companies and betting advocate.

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