Opening 2021-22 NBA Playoff Odds Released – Which Teams Are Favored to Reach the Postseason?

• The Brooklyn Nets are overwhelming favorites to make the NBA Playoffs
• The LA Lakers and Phoenix Suns share top odds to make the playoffs in the West
• Scroll down to see the latest playoff odds for all 30 teams in the Association

October 19 can’t get here soon enough.

That’s when the NBA tips off the 2021-22 campaign, picking up from a drama that hasn’t really subsided since the Milwaukee Bucks hoisted the Larry O.

Already, the Nets and Lakers have been installed as Finals favorites, as was their positions a season ago at this time. And while there’s a long way to get to there, it may be a little earlier to get an idea of who’s built for a ‘chip, a frisky upset pick, or someone that can emerge from the end-of-year play-in tourney.

For bettors, DraftKings has just released odds on each team’s chances to make the playoffs this year. So let’s have a gander at the board, where we work to find the value wagers, and perhaps some surprises that you might be in store for this season.

Odds to Make NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference

Odds as of August 17th at DraftKings

Who’s Gonna Stop Us?

That’s the phrase that the top of the East should be chanting, led by the nearly bullet-proof Brooklyn Nets, who are a whopping -20000 to claim one of eight seeds available.

Even if their superstar Kevin Durant-James Harden-Kyrie Irving trio can’t make it through a full season — and at this point, who would wager that? — Brooklyn has already proven that a two, or even one star-driven engine can drive this bus for stretches.

A nice offseason that saw them land free agent Patty Mills, retain Blake Griffin and draft plug-and-play rookie Cam Thomas will also help float them should trouble arise.

The 2021-22 NBA season tips off on TNT Oct. 19 👀@BrooklynNets vs. @Bucks // 7:30pm ET @warriors vs. @Lakers // 10pm ET pic.twitter.com/6ODU7OXJiR

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 17, 2021

Only the 2014-15 Miami Heat have failed to make the playoffs a year after winning it all, so we shouldn’t worry too much about the Milwaukee Bucks.

But if you’re looking for a stunner at the top, it’s fair to say the 76ers are on shaky ground. The team already has a dark cloud hanging over it after a Ben Simmons playoff meltdown which deep-sixed his trade value.

Ben Simmons and Rajon Rondo working on their 3. 👀

(via @swishcultures_)

pic.twitter.com/CHn9jI2yNQ

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 9, 2021

All the insta videos of him hitting jumpers just isn’t cutting it.

If Simmons is a shell of himself, or if Daryl Morey has to ship him out for pennies on the dollar, that leaves Philly a Joel Embiid injury away from battling to get into the play-in.

Musical Playoff Chairs

The meaty part of the East runs from 5-11, where you might be able to crystal ball a few wagers in your favor.

Start with the New York Knicks, whose biggest splash was free agent wing Evan Fournier. They did a lot of moving down in the draft, and are running it back with much the same team that struggled offensively and bowed out to the Hawks in Round 1.

Daydreamin' #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/NjPx3kP4WL

— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) August 17, 2021

Still, this isn’t an 11th place team. That they’ve been slotted into a spot outside the play-in, after getting home court in the playoffs last year is wild. They will still defend, and say what you want about the playoffs, but a lot of teams will not enjoy the 48-minute torture rack Tom Thibodeau teams employ in the regular season. I’d jump on those -135 odds yesterday.

And while many have ripped the Bulls’ offseason, count me on the other side. DeMar DeRozan is the perfect bucket-getting second fiddle to Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball is finally putting together all the tools of a no. 2 draft pick. Alex Caruso is a nice bench addition, and Nik Vucevic, Coby White and Patrick Williams round out a nice mix. I don’t see them missing the playoffs.

DeMar DeRozan is gonna have a lot of fun running with the rest of his Bulls teammates 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eoLqil24YB

— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) August 11, 2021

But then who bows out? If there’s one team I’d steer clear of, it’s the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown make a formidable duo, but they’re banking on good seasons from Josh Richadson, Dennis Schroder and a healthy Robert Williams. For a team in a transition year (new coach, new GM), those odds are a little short for me.

Odds to Make NBA Playoffs – Western Conference

An Odd LA Story

First, the obvious: a healthy LeBron James and the Lakers make the playoffs. That’s not even including Anthony Davis. But unlike the overwhelming Nets’ numbers, the Lakers share the top odds with the Phoenix Suns at -3500, with the Utah Jazz just behind at -3000.

For the first time since 2009, the Phoenix Suns are playing on Christmas Day.

This tweet has been in my drafts for years

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) August 17, 2021

Even though I’d expect a regression from the Suns, they’re too talented to not make it. A taste of the playoff life, where they made a Finals appearance after 10 years of missing the postseason altogether, is a nice inspiration.

Surprising to me, however that LA’s other team — the one that marched to the West Finals minus Kawhi Leonard — is a slight-300 to make the playoffs, slotted in the 7-hole. Kawhi Leonard won’t be back for some time, but the core of Paul George and Reggie Jackson, flanked by Nic Batum, Terrence Mann and Ivica Zubac is plenty strong to hold the fort for the Clippers. That’s a winning wager right there.

Who’s Making Moves?

There’s two teams that could obviously change places. Count me in as a Zion Williamson full believer. His growth alone should be enough to move the Pelicans into the playoffs, after a 2020 campaign where he went for 27 points a night on a blistering 61.1% from the field. Those +170 odds are worth a dip.

Don't say it… don't say it… actually after the last 5️⃣ games it’s safe to say it:

Zion is 🔛🔥

📹 The best of Zion Williamson from the last 5 games 🙌#OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/ZUBR3047SE

— NBA India (@NBAIndia) February 10, 2021

The dance partner here is the Portland Trail Blazers. After another disappointing 1st Round exit, running it back just doesn’t seem like it’s going to work this time around. New head coach Chauncey Billups was already under fire before walking into the facility, and it appears Dame Lillard is exploring his options, with a trade demand potentially lurking around the corner.

That’s a lot to overcome for any team, and even though the East might actually be deeper this year, the West is still a gauntlet.

https://twitter.com/GoIdenState/status/1425465275940577286

Another wager to wait on would be the Golden State Warriors (-600), who’ve been pegged as high as the second-best odds to win the West this offseason. But the only constants we know is Steph Curry throws lightning and Draymond Green does everything well but shoot. Question marks abound about how Klay Thompson will look — the dude hasn’t played a game since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

GState did well to bring back Andre Iguodala and are hoping Otto Porter gets back to his 3-and-D ways. They can take the pressure off James Wiseman and rookies Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, who can develop without having to be full impact players.