Opening Odds to Make/Miss 2020-21 Playoffs for All 30 NBA Teams

• With the NBA season starting Dec 22, odds to make the playoffs have opened
• Nine teams in each conference have minus odds to make the postseason
• We look at value bets for teams to both make and miss the playoffs below

It hasn’t even been two full months since the Lakers hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in the Bubble. Now, we’re less than two weeks from the 2021 season kicking off.

COVID-19 has thrown everything for a loop, but don’t get it twisted: there are probably more talented teams heading into this season than we have seen in a long time. Barring any injuries, it’s going to be tough to handicap the opening NBA Playoff odds.

In fact, bookmakers offered minus-odds on nine teams in each conference — meaning at least one good team is missing the playoffs, and maybe more.

NBA 2021 Playoff Odds

Odds from FanDuel taken on December 9

We know the teams already projected to be in the mix after the shortened 72-game season, but let’s try to find some value bets lurking around the fringes.

Remember, this isn’t just about getting in with the best record once the season ends. This year, there’s an even more extended playoff play-in format than last year’s eighth seed vs ninth seed who needed to be within four games of eighth.

Seed 7 vs 8 determines the seventh seed. Winner of seed 9 vs 10 plays the loser of 7-8 to claim the eighth and final playoff spot.

Playoff Bound

Lead-pipe locks are the LA’s, with Portland, Dallas, Denver, Utah all qualifiers a year ago seemingly scheduled for return.

If we’re assuming James Harden does stay in Houston (-110), no matter how dysfunctional that franchise is, he’s good enough to get them to the playoffs. Even without Klay Thompson, the Warriors (-194) should have a healthy Steph Curry and a better shaped roster than the one they trotted out last year.

This @Suns team is gonna be fun 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7shH1lKfuP

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 9, 2020

We haven’t even gotten to Phoenix (-132), who added Chris Paul to a roster that finally seemed to figure things out, going 8-0in the bubble and narrowly missing the play-in. That team was led by the budding duo of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton.

If there is one fringe team worth looking at in the West, it’s the Memphis Grizzlies at +184. Centred around Ja Morant and a plethora of young talents like Jaren Jackson (still recovering from a knee injury), Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks, Memphis is a young team that has experience in a play-in. They’re good enough to finish in the top-10, and they can be business.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬……….#GrzNxtGen | @midsouthford pic.twitter.com/9PSN16oFCk

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 9, 2020

Out east, let’s count the playoff teams: Boston, Brooklyn, Miami, Milwaukee, Philly and Toronto. That leaves a couple of spots on the dance card.

The best Russ Westbrook is a motivated one. Freed from the shackles of an offense-specific formula in Houston, he’s comfortable with Scott Brooks as his head coach and a very talented running mate in Bradley Beal.

“Brad is a superstar talent. He proved that and showed that last year… and he’s only going to get better. My job is to come in and continue to uplift him and try to push him to be better and that’s all I’m here for.”

– @russwest44 on a new D.C. backcourt

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 9, 2020

Atlanta went fishing this offseason and came away with some pretty nice trophies in Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic, as well as veteran point Rajon Rondo to help all-star Trae Young. If John Collins returns back to star form, there’s a reason they’re at -122 to make the playoffs.

And if you can just get over that grotesque salary figure Charlotte paid Gordon Hayward, can this Hornets team be frisky? LaMelo Ball will need to shine early, but with Hayward, Devontae Graham, PJ Washington and Miles Bridges, this team can at least compete.

The picks to make the playoffs: Phoenix Suns (-132) and Washington Wizards (-110)

Playoff Bounced

You can’t avoid it, there is going to be some anguish and disappointment.

There’s been some upheaval in Indiana, with head coach Nate McMillan cast away and Victor Oladipo reportedly asking for a trade, which also resulted in internet squabbles between his family and ‘Dipo’s teammate Myles Turner.

Back in the lab. 😤#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/WdIvyB74pk

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 9, 2020

We just mentioned Atlanta with the potential to make their first playoff appearance since the 2017 campaign, but it’s not too much to assume the worst. The veteran additions help, but there’s a lot of question marks about how Clint Capela fits with this group, and if young wings Cam Reddish and  De’Andre Hunter can raise their game to competent levels.

In the West, the Warriors are far removed from the five-time finalists group. While a starting five of Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre, James Wiseman and Draymond Green is above average, there’s little behind them, with Eric Paschall, Brad Wannamaker and Kent Bazemore as the top subs.

Steph threes in transition 🤩 pic.twitter.com/YhwO6Wm6Jd

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 9, 2020

The only other teams that offer plus-value worth considering are the Trail Blazers (+138) and Suns (+108). We’re trusting the Chris Paul golden years shine in the Valley of the Sun, while leading his team’s to the playoffs for the 12th time in 16 seasons. And we’re guessing the Blazers’ injury woes that hampered them the entire season a year ago won’t be a problem this time around, with an offseason successfully finding at depth at every position.

The picks: Golden State Warriors (+156) and Atlanta Hawks (+100)