As we hit the 30-game mark of the 2021-22 NBA season, there are several intriguing storylines developing across the league. With so many games still to be played, now is a great time to study the start betting on which team will win this year’s NBA championship. Bovada Sportsbook has betting odds available for all 30 NBA teams and gives you the chance to score a massive payday if you can correctly predict which franchise will raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the season’s end.
In the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have started slow in their quest to win back to back NBA champions, however, they still have plenty of time to right the ship. Meanwhile, the strong play of Zach LaVine and Demar DeRozan has helped the Chicago Bulls take a huge leap forward with the team being considered a dark horse in this year’s playoffs. At the top of the conference sit the Brooklyn Nets, who remain the favorite to win this year’s NBA championship and there are rumors that Kyrie Irving may soon return to the lineup.
Over in the West, the Golden State Warriors have regained their magic with Steph Curry playing at an MVP level and Klay Thompson about to make his long-awaited return to the court. The Phoenix Suns are not far behind as they try to build on last year’s impressive run to the NBA Finals, while the Utah Jazz are also playing well and hope to finally breakthrough in the postseason. Let’s not forget about the Los Angeles Lakers, as LeBron and company have struggled so far this year but still find themselves in position to make the playoffs.
With so much parity in today’s NBA, there has never been a better time to find great betting value in the NBA’s futures market. There are a ton of legitimate contenders to win it all this season, so let’s review the top five betting favorites to win this year’s championship, based on the latest NBA odds at Bovada Sportsbook.
December futures update
Brooklyn Nets +280
There’s been little to no movement in Brooklyn’s championship odds as the Nets have been the betting favorite to win the title since the start of the season. While Kyrie Irving has yet to play a game due to his vaccination status, Brooklyn is sitting comfortably atop the Eastern Conference thanks to the play of James Harden and Kevin Durant, who leads the NBA in scoring. Offseason acquisition Patty Mills has also made a positive impact and should prove even more valuable come playoff time. Additionally, with the latest rumors now suggesting Irving could return this season, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Nets in the NBA futures market. If Brooklyn can manage to put all three superstars together on the court, they’ll have all the talent needed to win this year’s championship.
Golden State Warriors +600
Don’t look now but the Golden State Warriors are back on top in the Western Conference and looking like a great bet to win the franchise’s fourth NBA championship over the past seven seasons. The big story here is Steph Curry, who has returned to MVP form and once again leads the league in three-pointers made. The Warriors have also been getting consistent secondary scoring from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, as well as great effort on the defensive end by Draymond Green and Gary Payton Jr. To add, this becomes more impressive when you realize that Klay Thompson has still yet to play a game this year. With the second Splash Brother set to make his return in the coming weeks, you can see why so many people are betting on the Warrior to win it all.
Milwaukee Bucks +650
The defending champs got off to a slow start this season as Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday both missed games due to injury. Milwaukee was able to overcome those injuries with help from their MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo; the Greek Freak is averaging 27 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game so far this year. Winning back-to-back NBA championships is no easy task, but the Bucks current betting odds deliver decent value for NBA bettors. Looking past Milwaukee’s big three, shooting guard Grayson Allen has proven to be a savvy offseason pickup as the former Duke star has provided some additional scoring and extra grit on the floor. The Bucks’ betting odds to win this year’s NBA title are likely to decrease if they take over first place in the Central Division, so you may want to get your bets in with their current odds while you still can.
Phoenix Suns +850
Following an impressive playoff run that saw Phoenix reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, the Suns have remained red hot this season. Phoenix is trailing only Golden State for the best record in the NBA and are looking to build upon last year’s postseason success. Devin Booker leads the team in scoring with 23.2 PPG, but everyone knows this offense runs through their floor general, Chris Paul. The 36-year-old point guard leads the NBA in assists with 10.3 per game and has the Suns looking like a real threat to repeat as Western Conference champs. Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton continues to develop, averaging a double-double on the year, and Phoenix has improved depth down low with the addition of veteran JaVale McGee. The strong start to the season has already caused the Suns’ NBA championship odds to drop and that trend is likely to continue as long as they keep winning.
Utah Jazz +1000
Once again, the Jazz look like one of the better teams in the NBA this season. Utah has a sizeable lead in the Northwest Division and should be a lock to make the playoffs for the sixth straight year. Donovan Mitchell remains the team’s primary scoring option, but Utah has a balanced attack with five different players currently averaging double-digit points per game. On the defensive end, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert is putting together another solid campaign and leads the NBA in rebounding at 14.6 boards per game. The Jazz have also benefited from the addition of Hassan Whiteside, with the seven-footer playing some key minutes off the bench. Utah’s championship odds have dipped over the season’s first two months but you can still score a massive payday at their current price. The Jazz are long overdue for a deep playoff run and are a great option if you’re looking to bet on a dark horse to win it all.
NBA MVP Update
The NBA is stacked with talented athletes, but only one of them can be named Most Valuable Player at the end of the regular season. Betting on who will win the NBA MVP award is a great way to add some extra excitement to the action. Let’s take a look at the top three candidates to win this year’s award, along with their current MVP betting odds at Bovada Sportsbook.
Steph Curry +120
It’s not often that you’ll find such modest betting odds for a futures bet this early in the season, but that shows you just how dominant Steph Curry has been so far this season. The sharpshooter from Golden State is averaging 26.9 points, leads the league in three-pointers made and attempted, while shooting a stellar 40.1% from beyond the arc. Curry has been playing great ever since the season tipped off in October and has led his team to the best overall record in the NBA. As if all that wasn’t enough, he just recently passed Ray Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. While his current MVP betting odds may not offer a huge return, it could end up making you some easy money.
Kevin Durant +450
Considered by most to be the best player in the NBA heading into the season, Durant continues to deliver on lofty expectations. With Kyrie Irving yet to play and James Harden struggling to open the year, Durant put the Nets on his back over the early part of this season. The power forward leads the NBA scoring race with 29.6 points per game and has guided his team to first in the East. Durant has already won league MVP during the 2013-14 season, however, winning again after a missing a season due to a torn Achilles tendon would be an incredible accomplishment. With his current betting odds offering a decent payout, you may want to put some money down on the man they call ‘The Slim Reaper’.
Giannis Antetokounmpo +600
If there were any doubts about Antetokounmpo’s ability to lead a team, they were put to bed last year as the Greek-born superstar led the Bucks to their first title in over 50 years. Last season’s NBA Finals MVP is putting together another solid campaign, sitting second in league scoring at 27 PPG and sixth in rebounding with 11.6 RPG. The Greek Freak has already won this award twice in the past three years and offers great betting value with his current odds. Those odds may take a dip if the Bucks get back to first place in the division, so now is the time to start betting on the Bucks center to win the third MVP award of his young career.
For all of the latest NBA odds, be sure to head on over to Bovada Sportsbook’s NBA odds board. Here you will find a range of basketball bets including: spreads, gamelines, futures and much more. If you are new to Bovada, then make use of our latest welcome offers to get the most out of your first bet.
