The second-round matchups for the 2021 NBA Playoffs are nearly set. The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers are entangled in the lone ongoing series, with the Mavericks leading 3-2.
The winner of that series will face the Utah Jazz in the second round. And with the Phoenix Suns knocking out LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, the title hunt is wide open.
And as you’ll see, two of the three teams with the shortest NBA championship odds — the Nets and Bucks — will square off in the second round.
Here are the updated 2021 NBA title odds, followed by Illinois sportsbook promos.
2021 NBA Championship odds
Check out the best NBA futures odds at sportsbooks in Illinois (story continues below):
Nets-Bucks is going to be a must-watch series. Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving are 4-point favorites going into Game 1, but this is the scariest team Giannis Antetokounmpo has ever been a part of.
One could reasonably argue that these are the two best teams left standing. And only one of them will reach the Eastern Conference finals.
Out west, the Jazz are poised to make a finals run. They were the best team in the league in the regular season, and Donovan Mitchell looks fully healthy.
Though, of course, don’t sleep on the Suns, who just ousted the defending champion Lakers. Phoenix will likely face MVP Nikola Jokic in Round 2, but the Nuggets are missing several key pieces.
For the first time since 2012, one of the Lakers, Warriors or Spurs won’t win the Western Conference. It’s a new NBA era.
Illinois NBA Playoffs promos
DraftKings bet $1, win $100
DraftKings Sportsbook in Illinois is offering new users a chance to risk $1 to win $100 in site credit.
The offer is available for the entire month of June. Here’s how it works: New users can simply moneyline bet $1 on any NBA team to win.
- Up to $1,000 Back as a Bonus Bet if Your Bet Loses
- Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
- 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Use Promo Code: PLAYIL1000
If the bet wins, you will win $100 “DK Dollars,” or site credit. Once you bet the $100 in site credit, you can withdraw your winnings or choose to keep playing.
Though we must note, downloading Illinois sportsbook apps isn’t as easy as it once was. As of April, the in-person registration requirement is back. So the only way to sign up for DraftKings in IL is to visit DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
BetRivers IL profit boost
One offer existing users can take advantage of, though, is at BetRivers Sportsbook.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays all throughout the NBA Playoffs, you can receive a 20% live bet profit boost.
So let’s take Friday night’s Clippers vs. Mavericks game, for example. Once the game tips, bettors will get a 20% profit boost on any live wager available.
PointsBet no juice offer
Finally, it’s always worth checking PointsBet Sportsbook for reduced juice and boosters.
For all of Round 1, PointsBet offered no juice NBA lines (think +100 instead of the standard -110 you’ll see). It remains to be seen if PointsBet will do the same for the rest of the playoffs, but it regularly offers –105 lines anyway. Over time, that small difference can add up.
PointsBet has also boosted the odds for the Clippers coming back to beat the Mavericks in seven games. It’s offering a Los Angeles series win at +165, boosted from +135.
The Clippers are currently 2.5-point favorites to win Game 6 at PointsBet.
