The NBA tips-off its season on December 22, making this offseason the short in the sport’s history. COVID-19 delayed the season into the fall, with the NBA Finals wrapping up in early October.
This NBA season is going to look a bit different. The league shrinks the regular season from 82 games to 72 games and releases the chunks’ schedule. The purpose for this is to put the time in during the season to make up games due to COVID if a game cannot be played. The season will also extend into the summer with the reformed schedule, and the league hopes to wrap up the season by the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The full NBA schedule has not been released yet, but the Brooklyn Nets know that they will be playing on opening night, December 22 vs. Golden State, and on Christmas Day at Boston. There has been no announcement of any other games as of writing this.
Of course, this time of year brings value to futures and teams potentially making a run at a championship or winning its division. Let’s look at the odds for the Knicks and Nets in the upcoming.
Knicks and Nets 2021 Season Odds
To Win the Championship
Knicks: +25000
Nets: +600
To Win the Eastern Conference
Knicks: +13000
Nets: +270
To Win the Division
Knicks: +22000
Nets: +130
Knicks and Nets Mini-Preview
Knicks
The New York Knicks roster still needs a lot of work. It got off to a nice start this offseason by drafting Obi Toppin and bringing in Nerleans Noel from Oklahoma City. The Knicks roster is young, led by Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett, and now Obi Toppin. This is a huge year for the Knicks core, especially now being led by Tom Thibodeau as a coach. Thibodeau agreed to a deal this summer and will now look to turn the franchise around. Thib’s had success in Chicago but struggled in Minnesota, so we will see what he can do with this roster.
Nets
The Brooklyn Nets come into the season ready to make a championship run with finally a healthy roster. The Nets will get to see it’s big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan all performing this season. Brooklyn will also add Jeff Green and Joe Harris into the mix as role players. The question becomes whether or not this team will mesh with Steve Nash. This is the first time that Nash will be a team head coach, and he will need to control the egos on the roster as best as possible.
Best NBA Futures Bets
Nets To Win the Eastern Conference +270
Brooklyn arguably has one of the most talented rosters when they are all healthy. This team would have been a title contender last year if Durant was available to play. Irving also missed a lot of time last season, and a majority of Nets key players opted-out of the NBA bubble this past summer.
However, everything will change this year, and as long as the roster stays healthy, they will have a good chance to make a run for an NBA championship.
