In the United States, March Madness is here. The annual NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament returns after a year hiatus while the NBA begins the second-half of their almost standard pro hoops season.
Almost normal because, unlike in 2019, National Basketball Association teams won't play an 82 game season. That's okay for roundball fans. The quality of hoops always trumps the quantity of hoops.
In the NBA, this season has proven quality is alive and well. Even though teams like the Brooklyn Nets continue to make moves that should separate them from the pack, separation doesn't always happen.
Utah, Philadelphia, both Los Angeles teams, and the Milwaukee Bucks have enough talent to step in the way of the Nets' march to the title. Squads like the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks also appear ready to rock Brooklyn's planned float parade.
Top NBA Teams for the Second Half of the Season
Utah Jazz
Heading into the second half, Utah has the best record in the NBA. At 27-9, the Jazz dominates both away and at home.Their point differential, the difference between what they allow and what they average, is +8.8. It's over 2 points better than the Suns at +6.5.
Utah has a couple of all-stars on their team, center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell. Mike Conley is one of the best point guards in the NBA while Quinn Snyder, the head coach, makes sure everyone works together. There's no reason to believe the Jazz implode in the back half of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers
As long as Joel Embiid plays for the 76ers, Philadelphia will have a shot to win basketball games. The Sixers' center averages over 30 points and close to 12 rebounds per game. He even dishes 3.3 assists each contest.Embiid is the most formidable player in the league to guard because he can beat double-teams, find the open player, or toss the rock to Ben Simmons and let the Sixers' point-guard create. Embiid is also the league's best defensive player.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won't rush power forward Anthony Davis back to the court. Once Davis returns, the defending champions will become one of the best teams in the NBA.LeBron and AD make the top Big 2 in the league. James is one of the two best players to ever step onto a basketball court. Only Michael Jordan rivals LeBron's greatness.
One thing to watch with LAL, though, is how the bench players respond. As great as Davis and LeBron are, many Western Conference teams have caught up to the Lakers. If nobody from the bench steps up, Los Angeles could be in some trouble.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers did not end the first half on a positive note. LAC lost 6-of-10. They dropped 3 in a row before the break.If the Clippers wish to challenge the Lakers and Jazz in the West, someone must emerge to help Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Two great players aren't enough anymore.
Maybe, it never was. Michael Jordan and Scott Pippen had Ron Harper, Tony Kukoc, and a host of other great players to help them win titles. The Clippers bench may not be deep enough for a title run.
Then again, Kawhi and PG-13 are two of the best in the league. NBA fans should give LAC the benefit of the doubt.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are relying on Giannis Antetokounmpo. They should because the two-time MVP is the most versatile player in the NBA. He averages 29 points, leading Milwaukee in points per game.Antetokounmpo also leads the Bucks in assists, 5.9, and rebounds per, 11.7. But this season, Milwaukee isn't a one-person team.
Since moving Jrue Holiday to the bench, Milwaukee has closed the gap on Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia. Holiday is so good he can lead a second-unit, which means Milwaukee can rest Giannis more this season than they could in 2019 and 2020.
Brooklyn Nets
On paper, Brooklyn has created the most incredible professional basketball team of all time. James Harden and Kevin Durant rank in the Top 10 in best players in NBA history.Kyrie Irving can score 40 on any night. Blake Griffin, one of the best power forwards, decided to join Brooklyn.
Even DeAndre Jordan hoops for the Nets. So many great players have led to a Nets' odds freefall. Soon, based on what bookies that provide free sportsbook betting software have said, Brooklyn will overtake the Lakers as the favorites to win the title.
But loading up on all-star players hasn't always led to success. Houston never won a championship when Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler played for them in 1996 through 2000.
The Detroit Pistons, whose best player may have been Chauncey Billups, ended the Kobe and Shaq Laker Dynasty even though Karl Malone and Gary Payton also called the Staples Center home.
Brooklyn still has trouble stopping teams from scoring. If they have a few lousy shooting nights in the playoffs, it's over.
Top NBA Underdogs for the Second Half of the Season
Dallas Mavericks
In their first second-half game, the Dallas Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 115-104. As Luka Doncic goes, so goes the Mavericks.Luka is a double-edged sword. Doncic requires help. Relying too much on him could lead to disaster. Kristaps Porzingis, and at least one other player, must step up for the Mavericks to become genuine contenders.
Miami Heat
In the second half of the season, expect big things from the 2020 runner-up. Miami played great heading into the all-star break.Jimmy Butler is back at full strength. Bam Adebayo has returned to his best form, and Goran Dragic is playing well. Miami could become one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns boast a hall-of-fame point guard in Chris Paul, a double-double in points and rebounds center in DeAndre Ayton, and one of the NBA's top shooting guards in Devin Booker. The +6.5 point differential is second-best in the league.Phoenix has a great defense and a great offense. They should excel in the second half.
The Suns offer +3000 underdog odds, which makes no sense. Phoenix's odds should be closer to +2000 than +3000.
In addition to Phoenix, Miami, and Dallas, the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers are a couple of other teams that could become title contenders in the second half.
Nikola Jokic plays for the Nuggets. Jokic leads Denver in every essential statistical offensive category.
He averages 27.1 points, 8.6 assists, and 11 rebounds each game. If a couple of other players on Denver's roster steps it up, the Nuggets can win rings.
Damian Lillard is Portland's best player. Lillard averages close to 30 points per game. Dame Dolla can't overdo it in the second half. If he tires, Portland won't even make the playoffs.
Both the Nuggets and Blazers have a more challenging time climbing to NBA Championship contention than the Mavericks or Heat. The Suns are already a title contender.
If you like backing underdogs, consider the Phoenix Suns. Basketball fans who root for favorites can choose among the Lakers, Clippers, 76ers, Jazz, Bucks, or Nets.
