The 2021 NBA Playoffs officially kicked off last weekend after the play-in tournament and there have already been some big adjustments to the odds in multiple series. 

We’ll start with Lakers-Suns, where we’ve seen the series' price jump several times since last weekend. Los Angeles came into the first game as -150 favorites at BetMGM. But after Devin Booker and Phoenix outplayed LA in Game 1, those series odds shifted and both teams were listed at -110 as of Monday. 

The Empire stuck back in Game 2 with a huge game from Anthony Davis (34 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks). As many expected, the series is now tied 1-1, and the Lakers are again heavy favorites to beat the Suns, sitting at -350. That’s a huge jump, which means Chris Paul’s injury is baked into that number. Phoenix’s star point guard hurt his shoulder in Game 1, and hasn’t looked right since.

With the Lakers stealing a road game and heading back to LA, the Suns will definitely need to win one of the next two games to make this interesting. Los Angeles currently has the second-best odds to win the NBA title at +400, second to only the Nets, who are the favorites to win it all.

Speaking of Los Angeles, the city’s other team is struggling: The Clippers have started 0-2 in their matchup with the Mavericks, causing them to go from huge favorites to big underdogs.

"After opening the series as -345 favorites vs. the Mavs, the Clippers’ series price has now flipped to plus money after losing Games 1 and 2 at home,” Mike Korn, Sports Analyst at PointsBet Sportsbook, said. “The Clippers currently sit at +220 to advance to the next round and will need some other players besides Kawhi Leonard to step up in order for that to happen.”

The Clippers stumbling out of the gate has also caused a big shift in their title odds and futures bets at multiple sportsbooks.

“The Clippers came into the playoffs at +225 to win the West and +550 to win the title -- those prices have shifted way out to +650 and +1200, respectively," Korn said.

Thomas Gable, Sportsbook Director at the Borgata Sports, said they also lengthened the Clippers’ odds in a big way: “They were +300 for the West, and now are +700, and for the title they were +700 and now are +1600.”

The Clippers have been getting absolutely torched by Luka Doncic and now face a must-win situation in Game 3. If history has anything to say about their fate, it’s looking dreary. Per ESPN Stats and Info, 31 previous teams in NBA history have won the first two games of a best-of-seven series on the road. Twenty-seven of those teams went on to win the series. Even BetQL’s NBA picks and predictions are starting to turn on the Clippers, and for Game 3, the model is siding with the Mavericks -2 early.

Trae Young and the Hawks went into Madison Square Garden and ripped out the Knicks' hearts in Game 1. Young’s performance (including a game-winner) was very Reggie Miller-esque, which was fun to watch as a fan, but brutal to watch for anyone who has money on the Knicks to win the series. Following the win, the Hawks' odds moved from -120 to -275. New York, on the other hand, fell from +100 to +230.

But, Game 2 was a different story. Derrick Rose led the Knicks in scoring with 26 points and New York tied up the series. The odds moved once again, and now sit at Hawks -140 and Knicks +115. Game 3 will be pivotal for both of these young squads.

OTHER SERIES ODDS MOVEMENT

The Bucks jumped from -275 to -1100 at BetMGM after dominating Miami in Game 2.

“We lowered the Bucks as well to +280 for the conference and +550 for the title from +375 and +850,” Gable said.”

The Trail Blazers stole a game from the Nuggets on the road and saw their series odds move from -120 to -175 after two games.

The next several weekends of NBA action will produce many ups and downs in the title odds, but this year does feel like there are a legit handful of teams that can win the NBA title. It's hard to remember the last time this was true come playoff time, which makes this year’s quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy even more fun as a bettor and as a fan.

If you want to get in on the action of any of these NBA series make sure to check out the sportsbook promos available in your state. Sportsbooks are giving away free bets just for signing up for a new account.