Fresh off seeing an NBA champion crowned Tuesday night, oddsmakers have posted the Brooklyn Nets (+225) and Los Angeles Lakers (+400) as the betting favorites for the 2021-22 season.
The champion Milwaukee Bucks, who wrapped up the franchise’s first title since 1971 with a six-game Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns, have the next shortest odds at +900.
“This season, the Nets and Lakers drew so much more money than any other team,” Nick Bogdanovich, William Hill U.S. director of trading, told ESPN, reinforcing how liability on popular teams will always drive odds.
Bogdanovich also indicated that talent is a factor.
“In a normal year, if those guys stay somewhat healthy, they definitely figure to be the best team,” Bogdanovich said of the Nets.
Perennial All-Stars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving played only eight regular-season games together for Brooklyn. The Nets’ playoff run was disrupted in the Eastern Conference semifinals when Irving suffered an ankle injury and Harden battled a hamstring injury. They ultimately lost to the Bucks in overtime of Game 7.
The Guy Report 