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Bucks NBA Championship Odds Shorten to +145 After Clinching Spot in Eastern Conference Finals

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Jun 19, 2021 · 9:53 PM PDT

Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles up court
Milwaukee was +800 to win the title before the playoffs started, but is now down to +145 after dispatching Brooklyn. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • Milwaukee is the new favorite in the 2021 NBA Championship Odds
  • The Bucks eliminated the Brooklyn Nets in seven games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals
  • See below for updated NBA Championship odds and analysis on whether or not Milwaukee is worth a bet at its new price.

The Milwaukee Bucks are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company outlasted the Brooklyn Nets in a hard fought Game 7 of their 2nd Round series on Saturday, surviving yet another magical performance by Kevin Durant.

Milwaukee now awaits the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-Philadelphia 76ers series finale on Sunday, and will either open up at home against the Hawks or on the road in Philly for Game 1 of the conference finals on Wednesday. Regardless of the opponent, the Bucks will be the series favorite, as they now have the shortest title odds of any remaining team.

2021 NBA Championship Odds

Team Odds at FanDuel
Milwaukee Bucks +145
Phoenix Suns +230
Philadelphia 76ers +440
Los Angeles Clippers +440
Atlanta Hawks +3000

Odds as of June 19th.

Milwaukee’s NBA Championship Odds were sitting at +450 prior to its Game 7 victory, but have now been shortened to +145.

Many experts believe the Bucks and Nets were the two best teams in the playoffs, and with Brooklyn out of the picture, Milwaukee’s chances of winning their first title since 1971 have never been better.

Fear the Deer

The Bucks were left for dead after blowing a 17-point lead in Game 5 versus the Nets, but they rebounded in spectacular fashion. They completely dominated Game 6 at home, and gutted out a Game 7 overtime victory. Their stars lived up to their billing, producing timely buckets and big defensive stands in the game’s most important moments.

Milwaukee racked up 9 steals and 7 blocks, and while they did surrender 48 points to Durant, they held KD scoreless in OT. In fact, the Bucks allowed just 2 points in the extra period, and limited the Nets to 1-of-12 from the field.

Antetokounmpo led the way with 40 points and 13 rebounds over 50 minutes, scoring at least 30 points for the sixth time in seven games. The Greek Freak has notched a double-double in all 11 playoff games this year, and averaged 32 points per night against Brooklyn.

His running mate Khris Middleton, hit the series clinching shot as part of his 23 point effort, and averaged 28 points over the series final five games.

The Bucks led the NBA in points per game during the regular season, and with Antetokounmpo and Middleton playing at all-world levels, it’s hard to imagine any team slowing Milwaukee down.

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Milwaukee Has Fewest Question Marks

Not only does Milwaukee possess the best 1-2 scoring punch of any squad remaining, it also has the fewest amount of question marks. Aside from the Donte DiVincenzo injury, the team is relatively healthy, something that cannot be said for their future opponents.

Let’s start with Philadelphia. Joel Embiid, the Sixers heart and soul, continues to play through a knee injury although it’s clearly affecting him. Ebmiid has shot below 38% in two of the past three outings, and has been forced to leave games periodically for treatment. That handcuffs Philly offensively, and they won’t be able to win games versus the Bucks with their superstar absent for long stretches. Also working against Philly is the Ben Simmons conundrum. The former 1st overall pick is such an offensive liability, that they had to sit him down in key moments of the 4th quarter of a must win game against Atlanta.

Speaking of the Hawks, they’re a wonderful story, but they’re still a few pieces away from being a serious title contender.

Out West, Phoenix’s Chris Paul is in the league’s health and safety protocol, making his status uncertain moving forward, while LA’s Kawhi Leonard suffered a significant ACL injury putting his season in jeopardy. Regardless of who comes out of the West, if that team is missing one of its stars they are not beating this Milwaukee team.

Continue Backing the Bucks

We’ve been banging the drum for Bucks futures since before the playoffs started, and there’s no reason to stop now. No team remaining possesses the kind of scoring depth and defensive standouts that Milwaukee does, and they’ll be significant favorites no matter who they match up against.

They’ve got heart and health on their side, as well as one of the game’s most dominant players. You should be kicking yourself if you didn’t grab them at +800 prior to the postseason, or +550 before the start of Round 2, but don’t let that stop you from backing them now.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks +145

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