After picking them early in the season to have a bounce back after the playoffs last year in the "college" atmosphere with no home court, I'm gonna be taking the LA Clippers to win the west. With the late additions of Rondo and Cousins they have a cohesive second unit along with Leonard and George. Which I was not sure how trading Lou Williams would work out and it has worked out well for Atlanta, and if those two can keep that second unit coming out ahead on the +/- they may end up in their first conference finals and I see that going their way. Any one else on the Clippers +250 to win the west? If not just curious to hear what you guys think.
The East appears to be simple with Brooklyn hanging on at even money. Not seeing the three on the court together much has concerns, they are -105 almost even money to win the conference. Three scorers was the formula for the Bulls with Jordan, Pippen, Grant - and then Jordan, Pippen, Kukoc for the second 3 peat- as well as the Heat with Lebron, the Celtics, and the Warriors all standing on the shoulders of giants for Championships. Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Miami do have advantages at the 5 spot for whatever that matters. The matchup that could cause problems or has in the regular season has been the Bucks, who after last season had home court null and void by COVID-19, this season they have matched up great in the regular season, with the Giannis doing well, Kris Middleton playing like the Nets don't have any defense for him, and at the point guard Jrue Holiday appeared to be giving problems to Kyrie Irving. As it stands this might be a very interesting series second round, depending on how the seeding breaks down. The main variable being the Heat, who after adding Ariza and getting back Herro of the bench might be a first round winner no matter which team they face. Nonetheless I'm still liking the Nets, with possibly more to scare me off them at even money than I see for the Clippers in west.
Anyone else playing the Conference Champs or the Playoff Series to avoid getting hit the one of two games the losing teams are sure to win in each round?