When it comes to sports and sports betting, it’s all about trends.
For the former, it’s a way to build that all-too-dangerous word — hope. In terms of sports bettors, it’s all about finding an advantage; that key piece of information that leads to a big payoff.
More often than not, what happened a season ago to a completely different team has no bearing on what happens in the future. But now that the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship in 50 years, people will try to connect the dots to the Denver Nuggets.
- Small market team
- MVP on the roster
- Talented surrounding cast
While all of that is true, there are so many other factors at play. The big one is injuries. You can never predict them, but have to prepare for them. Look no further than the ACL injury to Jamal Murray in April. If the Denver guard doesn’t get injured, who knows how that impacts its playoff run.
As the 2021 season comes to a close, it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2021-22 NBA futures.
Based on the fact that NBA betting in Colorado was the most wagered on sport in the state the last five months, that lays credence to that fact.
Here is an early rundown on the current markets and odds in Colorado.
Nuggets 2021-22 odds
Fans betting on the Nuggets know as long as Nikola Jokić is on the roster, Denver has a chance.
He proved last season he’s one of the best players in the league. After all, he did win NBA MVP.
The day after the season ended, the Nuggets are a longshot to win the NBA Finals.
At DraftKings Colorado sportsbook, Denver is at +2,000. Since Murray will be out until March, the sportsbooks got this right. And how effective will Murray be when he gets back on the floor? The key is to be on top of his game by the start of the playoffs.
To the surprise of no one, the Brooklyn Nets are the heavy favorite at +200, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at +525 and the Bucks at +900.
Quick side note: It’s fascinating to see the sportsbooks list the defending champs for both the NBA and NHL (the Tampa Bay Lightning) as near favorites, but not the favorite in the early odds.
Nikola Jokić MVP odds
Like the Nuggets, the defending NBA MVP is a longshot to win the award again.
At DraftKings, Jokić is currently fifth at +1,500.
Luka Doncic is the favorite at +400.
Both Jokić and the Nuggets have a decent market, especially if you think one or both will win the hardware.
Off-season player specials
One of the popular markets for bettors is a player’s next team. This has been a hot betting item this offseason when it comes to Denver Broncos betting in Colorado.
It’s now available for NBA bettors.
At DraftKings, the two specials are on Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons.
Let’s start with Lillard first since he has a rivalry with the Nuggets.
The current favorite for Lillard to play next season is his current team the Portland Trail Blazers at -180. That’s followed by the Philadelphia 76ers at +700 and New York Knicks at +750.
Speaking of Philly, the 76ers are the favorite to retain Simmons at +110. They’re followed, surprisingly, by the Blazers at +450 and the Washington Wizards at +650.
If you were curious about the Nuggets odds for Lillard and Simmons, you never want to say never, but it’s not happening.
Denver is +5,000 to get either Lillard or Simmons.
Now that the NBA season has come to a close, the question Nuggets fans have asked for decades is back: Is this their year to win a NBA championship?
While the Bucks winning their first NBA title in 50 years might seem like a trend for Denver to emulate, at this point it’s nothing more than hope.
