With the 2020-21 season underway, it’s time to dig into the latest NBA Vegas odds and find out how all 30 teams stack up in their bids for a championship.

Yes, preseason optimism is something fans of almost any NBA squad can talk themselves into, yet unlike other major sports leagues, the highest level of pro basketball tends to be top-heavy. Superstars drive title hopes, and the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers are clear favorites to repeat.

NBA Odds & 2021 NBA Betting Lines. The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association. The Eastern and Western conference champions play a best-of-seven game series to determine the league champion. The winners of the Finals are the NBA Champions and are awarded the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy (NBA Playoffs. +320 odds to win the NBA Finals Championship Key players include Kawhi Leonard (26.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG), and Paul George (21.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.33 SPG). Houston Rockets (+1700) All-purpose threat Russell Westbrook reunited with former teammate James Harden in Houston before the season. The Miami Heat will meet the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals on Friday, Oct. Get all the betting odds, predictions & picks for this NBA Finals playoff game.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way, the Lakers could well hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy again. Let’s see the latest betting lines on the Purple and Gold, along with all the other NBA futures odds, courtesy of VegasInsider.com.

NBA Vegas odds: 2020-21 championship futures

NBA Vegas odds: Top 2020-21 championship contenders

Los Angeles Lakers (+230)

These Lakers got better during the offseason, acquiring first- and second-place finishers for Sixth Man of the Year in Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder, not to mention a former Defensive Player of the Year in center Marc Gasol.

Harrell provides a unique big man off the bench with more athleticism and scoring ability than anyone L.A. had in its frontcourt rotation last season. He averaged 18.6 points per game for the Clippers in 2019-20. As for Schroder, he’s another ball-handler who can help LeBron work off the ball, and gives coach Frank Vogel more lineup versatility.

Whatever Gasol can provide is icing on the cake. If he’s anywhere near top form, Gasol and Davis would make one heck of a defensive duo in the paint.

It’s easy to see why the Lakers are so heavily favored. They might be worth betting now while the odds are this long.

Milwaukee Bucks (+550)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying, and he has a legitimate two-way guard in Jrue Holiday to play alongside him, something he’s never had before. Milwaukee fans have to be doing backflips.

Between Holiday, Giannis and a third All-Star in Khris Middleton, the Deer may have the best trio of perimeter defenders in the Association. That’s not even to discuss what they each bring to the offense. All three can make plays off the dribble, and Holiday in particular is a true lead guard who can take the pressure off Giannis to have to make every play in crunch time.

Don’t sleep on the firepower Milwaukee boasts off the bench, either. Stretch 4 Bobby Portis and guards Bryn Forbes and D.J. Augustin all provide instant offense.

If Donte DiVincenzo can take another big step forward like he did in Year 2, there’s little reason to bet against the Bucks at least making it to the NBA Finals, if not winning.

Los Angeles Clippers (+550)

Losing Harrell to the Lakers hurts the Clips, who were already undersized and lacking offense off the bench. However, Serge Ibaka bailing from Toronto to reunite with Kawhi Leonard is a big deal.

Ibaka gives this Los Angeles squad rim protection it didn’t have before, not to mention a matchup problem on offense due to his ability to stretch the floor. Harrell does most of his damage around the rim, whereas Ibaka can step out to the 3-point line and knock down clutch shots.

The big wild card here is Tyronn Lue. Having won a championship with LeBron in Cleveland, Lue steps in for fired coach Doc Rivers. Those are big shoes to fill, and King James isn’t around this time.

Although there’s nothing to indicate Kawhi will leave the Clippers, he does have a player option for next season. If things go south, especially early on, L.A. could crumble and make the Lakers’ playoff path in the West easier to navigate.

Brooklyn Nets (+600)

Kyrie Irving toying with and insulting the media. Kevin Durant coming off a torn Achilles. A first-time head coach — and Hall of Fame player at Irving’s position — in Steve Nash.

What could possibly go wrong? A lot actually, but then again, if the Nets figure this thing out, these +600 odds to win the championship will seem overly generous.

Irving and Durant are quite volatile personality types who just so happen to have downright historic skill sets. Perhaps no one in basketball history has better handles than Irving, or can finish around the rim so ambidextrously. Durant may be the biggest matchup nightmare and purest, most versatile scorer there’s ever been.

Combine those elements with returning core pieces like Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris and Caris LeVert, and you’ve got a great-looking Brooklyn squad on paper. It all comes down to how well Nash can manage the locker room.

NBA Vegas odds: Best dark-horse value bets

Denver Nuggets (+2000)

Being slotted eighth after reaching the NBA’s version of the Final Four last postseason is some serious disrespect for Denver.

Beyond the ascent of point guard Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic establishing himself as the prototype for a modern center, Michael Porter Jr. is a real X-factor.

The 22-year-old who fell in the 2018 draft because of a back injury is proving to be a big hit in Denver. Porter’s per 36-minute averages from this past season? 20.4 points and 10.3 rebounds. His shooting splits were 50.9/42.2/83.3. Those are bonkers numbers from an efficiency standpoint.

In a four-game stretch during the Orlando bubble seeding games, Porter saw the biggest minutes of his young pro career, and responded with 29.2 ppg. If he’s who we think he is, look the heck out for the Nuggets.

Dallas Mavericks (+2200)

How far can Luka Doncic take the Mavs, and how soon? Already an MVP-caliber superstar at age 21, those questions account for one of the league’s most fascinating storylines.

A compelling argument can be made that if Doncic hadn’t suffered a sprained ankle, and Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t dealing with his own injury problems, Dallas would’ve knocked off the Clippers in the opening round of the bubble playoffs. As it stood, the Mavs still pushed L.A. to six games when they had no business doing so.

Doncic can create open shots for his teammates in ways so few players can. His size, strength and knack for drawing contact to get to the free throw line are bettered by no one besides James Harden. The difference is, Doncic hasn’t shown himself to be a selfish player.

If Dallas’ relatively unheralded supporting cast can do enough around him and Porzingis is healthy, these Mavs may well be ready to contend for a title now.

Portland Trail Blazers (+3500)

This line is rightly moving, going from +5000 before the season started and shrinking already through the first week. It really should, because Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum might be the NBA’s best backcourt right now.

Lillard lifted his game to another level in the bubble, yet the Blazers’ defensive limitations were on full display when the Lakers dominated them in the postseason’s opening round. To be fair, center Jusuf Nurkic was inconsistent, because he was knocking the rust off after returning from a serious leg injury. That was a big part of the equation.

Portland made a huge defensive upgrade in landing dynamic wing Robert Covington in a trade with Houston. While Covington can also knock down treys at a decent clip (35.6% for his career), his real value is on defense thanks to his length, ability to switch and guard about any position on the floor. He may prove to be the most underrated acquisition for any playoff contender of the 2020 offseason.

New Orleans Pelicans (+7000)

Is this the 2021 playoffs’ version of the 2020 Miami Heat? It’d be a bunch of young studs banding together on a rapid ascent, led by second-year phenom Zion Williamson, reigning NBA Most Improved Player Brandon Ingram and a fiery, NBA Finals-experienced coach in Stan Van Gundy.

Ingram was among numerous ex-Lakers who were involved in the Anthony Davis trade. How poetic would it be if this long-shot group were the ones to upend the defending champs?

As far as dark horses go, the Pelicans aren’t a supreme stretch. If Zion plays big minutes and stays healthy, he could well dominate in a way never seen before. His blend of athleticism, strength for his size and playmaking ability, along with defensive upside, make Zion a true 1-of-1 NBA player.

Landing center Steven Adams to start at center will upgrade the Pels’ struggling defense. Adams should also help the locker room as a great mentor to sleeper breakout candidate Jaxson Hayes, and a key veteran leader to pair with ace sharpshooter J.J. Redick.

• September 29, 2020
• By Michael Crosson
• VegasInsider.com

It has been a little over 11 months since the winner of last year’s Finals, the Toronto Raptors, received their championship rings on the opening night of the 2019-20 NBA season, but the wait is finally over.

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat will square off with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for one last series to crown the kings of the Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida.

Betting Resources

• Matchup: NBA Finals Game 1
• Expert Picks:Vegas Insiders
• Venue: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC
• Bet:BetMGM BetRivers FanDuel PointsBet All

NBA Finals Schedule

All games to be played on one day of rest

• Game 1 - Wednesday, Sept. 30
• Game 2 - Friday, Oct. 2
• Game 3 - Sunday, Oct. 4
• Game 4 - Tuesday, Oct. 6
• Game 5 - Friday, Oct. 9
• Game 6 - Sunday, Oct. 11
• Game 7 - Tuesday, Oct. 13

Betting Odds - Heat vs. Lakers

The Heat continue to be doubted by the oddsmakers out in Las Vegas, now listing Miami as an ‘underdog’ in its third straight post-season series and a four and a half-point ‘dog for its Game 1 contest with the Lakers.

Without Steph Curry and the Warriors in the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, expect the landscape of the series to look much different as we will see two teams with defensive-minded coaches that play with a lot of energy go up against each other on basketball’s biggest stage.

The ‘over-under’ for this contest sits at 217.5 though, which is still a higher opening total than last year’s Toronto-Golden State Game 1 contest (OU 215).

• Spread: Los Angeles -4.5
• Money-Line: Los Angeles -185 Miami +165
• Total: 217.5
• Updated Series Price: Los Angeles -350, Miami +290

Heat vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

Last Four Meetings (2018-2019)

• Dec. 13, 2019: Los Angeles 113 at Miami 100, Lakers -5.5, Over 212
• Nov. 8, 2019: Los Angeles 95 vs. Miami 80, Lakers -8.5, Under 218.5
• Dec. 10, 2018: Los Angeles 108 vs. Miami 105, Lakers -5.5, Under 222
• Nov. 18, 2018: Los Angeles 113 at Miami 97, Lakers -1, Under 224.5

The Lakers have won both matchups so far with the Heat this year in two very different fashions, but do not get it confused, it was all about Anthony Davis in both games. The first time these teams met up his defense was on display, as the Brow rejected three shots and scored a team-high 26 points during the Lakers’ 95-80 victory.

Aside from Butler’s 22 points on 44% shooting in the Heat’s first game with LAL this season, it was a miserable offensive performance from Erik Spoelstra’s team across the board as his team finished the contest shooting 35% from the field and 17% from deep in the loss.

The second meeting between Miami and Los Angeles was much higher scoring and closely contested, but the spotlight shone bright on Davis yet again by leading the Lakers in scoring for his second consecutive contest against the Heat (33 points, 10 reb, 4-9 3FG).

The Lakers won the contest so it got overshadowed, but the LAL defensive struggles at the guard position were on full display in their second contest with Miami this year, as Kendrick Nunn and Butler combined for 39 points and 6 steals in the contest. It simply was not enough though, as the Lakers escaped with the 113-110 victory.

Including the aforementioned results from this season, make a note that since LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018, Los Angeles has gone 4-0 straight up and 2-2 against the spread in four regular season meetings against his former team.

Heat vs. Lakers
How to Handicap Game 1

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Miami Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Bubble: 15-8 SU, 15-8 ATS, 12-10-1 O/U
• Playoffs: 12-3 SU, 12-3 ATS, 8-7 O/U

At the start of the playoffs, it appeared to be a rocky path ahead, but the Heat have cruised right through the Eastern Conference by knocking off Indiana, Milwaukee, and Boston in just a combined 15 games.

The Lakers were built to beat teams like the Clippers and Rockets, but the Heat actually pose as an interesting matchup for LAL. Mainly because Bam Adebayo is capable of guarding Davis, but also because Miami has multiple, aggressive catch-and-shoot snipers in Herro, Robinson, and Dragic that the Lakers are notorious for having trouble defending outside.

I am not personally putting a dime on the Heat in this series, but Miami still sits as a +375 ‘underdog’ to win this year’s NBA Finals. So, if you are begging for reasons to bet against LeBron, now might be your best chance.

Los Angeles Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Bubble: 15-8 SU, 10-12-1 ATS, 11-12 O/U
• Playoffs: 12-3 SU, 9-5-1 ATS, 7-8 O/U

People were worried about the Lakers following their Game 1 blunder to Damian Lillard and the Blazers in the first round...

People were worried about the Lakers following their Game 1 loss to James Harden and the Rockets in the conference semifinals...

People were worried when the Nuggets knocked off the Clippers in seven and if the Lakers could handle the one-two punch of Jokic and Murray...

Now, people are worried about this magical Heat unit that has made the Eastern Conference look like a cakewalk...

Should bettors backing L.A. be worried? No!

There is no need to worry about the Lakers whatsoever heading into this series. Los Angeles’ stars have had their heads on straight and eyes on the prize all the way inside the bubble, as LeBron and AD combined for 50+ points in all five contests against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

2020 Nba Finals Vegas Odds

The Lakers have completed gentlemen’s sweeps in all three of their playoff series so far, have no injuries, and come into this series piping hot. The betting outlook appears bright in LA to say the least.

Key Injuries

Miami

• PG Gabe Vincent: Knee - Game Time Decision
• PF Chris Silva: Pelvis - Game Time Decision

Los Angeles

• SG Dion Waiters: Groin - Game Time Decision

Good to see King James left off the injury report heading into the NBA Finals. His name was added to the report due to a nagging groin injury during the heart of the Lakers’ series with the Nuggets, but obviously was just for precautionary reasons as LeBron appears to be healthier than ever heading into his 10th NBA Finals.

Game 1 Best Bet Picks

The Heat will likely mix in a variety of 2-3 zone schemes on defense and try to make the Lakers beat them from deep, similarly to how they strategized for the Celtics.

Los Angeles is typically streaky from deep, and I think there is a good chance both teams get off to a slow start in Game 1 while the Lakers try to find their rhythm from downtown, after not needing the 3-ball a ton in its series with Denver.

Give me ‘under’ 217.5 here, as I think the Lakers steal Game 1 in a low-scoring bout.

Score Prediction: Lakers 107, Heat 103

Game 1 Best Prop Pick

Player Props

• Over Duncan Robinson Total Points 11.5
• Over Anthony Davis Total Blocks 1.5

Duncan Robinson played a crucial role in Miami’s series win over the Celtics last round by scoring 13+ points in four out of six Eastern Conference Finals games against Boston. The Lakers really struggle to defend the perimeter and I think it shows in this series through pesky shooters like Robinson and Herro. Back Robinson to go ‘over’ 11.5 total points in Game 1.

Anthony Davis holds the NCAA single-season freshman block record with 183 blocks in his first season at the University of Kentucky and clearly that trait has carried over with him to the NBA as he still holds the title of “Pelicans All-Time Franchise Blocks Leader.”

AD has blocked at least three shots in both contests against the Heat so far this season. Back Davis to block ‘over’ 1.5 shots at +110 odds on Wednesday night in potentially the biggest game of his career to date.

NBA Finals Series Best Bet

The talent-level is not there, but something about this Heat team gives me a Greg Popovich Spurs vibe, which is a team that gave LeBron a bit of trouble back in his Miami days.

They have a phenomenal coach, veteran leadership, streaky shooters, and have played with an unsurpassable amount of pride and heart every time out in the Orlando bubble. I expect them to give LeBron and company everything they can handle in each game, making spreads tough bets.

The Lakers have ended all of their opponents’ playoff dreams in five games or less so far this post-season, but I think that ends here against Miami. There is no doubt in my mind LAL will walk away from the Disney World Bubble as NBA champions, but a team coached by Spoelstra won’t lay down as easy as Denver.

My faith in King James is unwavering. Miami is just the toughest opponent LA has squared off against mentally. I think it takes them one extra game here. Lakers in 6 at +300 odds is my bet.

Series Prediction: L.A. Lakers Win 4-2

NBA Finals MVP Best Bet

2020 NBA Finals MVP Odds

• LeBron James -110 (Bet $110 to win $100)
• Anthony Davis +200 (Bet $100 to win $200)
• Jimmy Butler +800
• Bam Adebayo +1100
• Goran Dragic +2000
• Tyler Herro +4000
• Kyle Kuzma +20000
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope +20000
• Alex Caruso +20000
• Jae Crowder +20000
• Rajon Rondo +20000
• Danny Green +25000
• Duncan Robinson +30000
• Andre Iguodala +30000
• Kelly Olynyk +50000

Ultimately, I believe the Lakers will be crowned champions in the NBA bubble, so my pick is really comes down to who I want between AD and LeBron for Finals MVP.

2020 Nba Finals Las Vegas Odds

Miami actually has somebody with the potential to guard Davis tightly and there is no doubt the King has a bad taste in his mouth after Antetokounmpo was named regular season MVP in consecutive seasons. There is a very good chance this year’s Finals could be the “LeBron Show” for its entirety – Give me King James at -110 odds to win Finals MVP.

Something magical is going to have to happen in Disney World during the NBA Finals if the Heat are going to escape the bubble with the Larry O’Brein Trophy, so that is why I am also sprinkling some change on Tyler Herro (+4000) to win Finals MVP just in case something crazy happens.

2020 Nba Finals Vegas Odds

If Butler and Bam are the best players on the court for the Heat in this series, Miami is likely in trouble. The Heat’s firepower is going to have to come from an unexpected source to get it done in this series, and that source will likely be Herro if Miami is going to give the Lakers a real run for their money.

Las Vegas Odds 2020 Nba Finals

Prediction: LeBron James (-110), Tyler Herro (+4000)