Updated NBA title odds during second week of 2021 NBA playoffs

The 2021 NBA playoffs officially kicked off over the weekend after the play-in tournament saw the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards enter the final postseason field.

Every series completed Game 1 over the weekend with the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and Grizzlies pulling off surprising wins in their respective series. The Brooklyn Nets found their footing in the second half against the Celtics to assert their place as championship favorites while the Milwaukee Bucks scraped past the Miami Heat in a thrilling overtime contest.

Here are the updated 2021 NBA title odds as of May 26th, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Update: After the Nets capped off a blowout win to go up 2-0 on the Celtics, Brooklyn has moved up to +180 from +250 to win it all. The Lakers also jumped up from 5/1 to 4/1 after tying their series vs. the Suns. The Bucks have also seen steady rise in the title odds market from 8/1 to 7/1 to 6/1 over the past week. The biggest faller is the Clippers going down to 16/1 after spending most of the season with the third-best odds to win it all.

The Nets still possess the best odds at +210, improving their standing from +250 before the postseason started. Brooklyn looked awful in the first half against the Celtics, but James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant showed in the second half why they are the favorites to win the whole thing.

The Lakers suffered a 99-90 loss in Game 1 at the hands of the Suns, but remain in the No. 2 spot at +500. Anthony Davis struggled mightily in Game 1, but should bounce back in Game 2. LeBron James has only lost Game 1 in the first round of the playoffs three times, including Sunday’s loss. In the previous two instances, his teams won Game 2 and eventually won the series.

The Bucks are the biggest risers after Khris Middleton hit the game-winning shot in a 109-107 overtime win against the Heat. Milwaukee was not among the top picks entering the postseason, but the Bucks are showing why they’ve been considered on a short list of title contenders since Giannis Antetokounmpo became a perennial MVP candidate.

The 76ers, Clippers and Jazz round out the secondary tier of contenders with the Bucks, according to the latest odds. Los Angeles is the big tumbler after a 113-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 1, but Kawhi Leonard and Paul George should respond in Game 2. Joel Embiid looked unstoppable in Philadelphia’s win and the Jazz looked more than capable without star Donovan Mitchell. They’ll hope to have him back for Game 2, but there’s reportedly some tension between Mitchell and Utah’s training staff on managing his injury. That situation could fester into something big for the West’s No. 1 seed.

The Suns headline a list of long shots according to the odds at +1400. Chris Paul suffered a shoulder injury in Game 1, but battled through it in a Phoenix win. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton looked like playoff veterans and will give the Lakers all they can handle in this series. The Mavericks and Trail Blazers have seen their stock go up after Game 1 wins, moving to +2800 each after opening the postseason at +5000 and +5500 respectively.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN). 21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.