NBA title odds: Blazers, Raptors trending up entering playoffs

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It's only been two weeks since the NBA restarted, but it feels like an entirely new season from the one that resumed on July 30. Of the remaining 16 teams, 11 saw their championship odds move since the beginning of seeding play, including one long shot that's catapulted itself into the title picture.

With the playoff field finalized, here are the updated NBA title odds heading into the postseason, along with the most notable odds that have shifted since the end of July.

Trending up

Portland Trail Blazers (+5000)

Well, this one should be obvious. When play started in the bubble, the Blazers were on the outside of the playoff picture, which was reflected in their 150-1 title odds. Six wins later, Portland is one of the league's hottest squads after securing a series against the slumping Lakers.

There's some real value tied to the Blazers following their play-in game win over Memphis. Portland boasts the best offensive rating in the bubble (122.5), and the Blazers reminded bettors of their upside when Damian Lillard is cooking. Watch out.

Boston Celtics (+1300)

An impressive 5-3 run in the bubble while posting the league's second-best net rating (+8.3) propelled the Celtics from being 18-1 dark horses to 13-1 contenders, and their all-around play justifies that bump.

Boston's offense possesses the highest ceiling of any East team besides Milwaukee, and the Celtics own the most wins against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. since 2017. If you're looking for a Bucks killer, this may be your bet.

Toronto Raptors (+1500)

We tried to tell you. The Raptors entered the bubble on a four-game winning streak and subsequently went 7-1 in seeding play, showcasing an improved defense after ranking second in points per possession before the restart.

Their price only shortened a bit, but that'll change after a cupcake series against the hobbled Nets. Buy while you still can.

Trending down

Philadelphia 76ers (+3000)

Much of this adjustment is tied to Ben Simmons' potentially season-ending injury. But the 76ers weren't great with him, either. Philly went 0-3 against the spread in its seeding games with Simmons while recording a negative net rating overall (-0.8) in its first seven bubble games (their starters didn't finish the final game), reinforcing the concerns about this team's chemistry and ability to win away from home.

The Sixers are now locked into a first-round meeting with the Celtics, who have won 11 of 17 games against Philadelphia since 2017. If you weren't buying them before, there's little reason to hop aboard now.

Dallas Mavericks (+4000)

I was high on the Mavericks' potential entering the bubble, so it's disappointing to see them net just three wins and somehow get worse defensively.

Still, there wasn't much on the line for this club during the seeding games, and it owns one of the league's more dynamic offenses. A first-round matchup with the Clippers is daunting, but the upside is too great to ignore a discounted price.

Utah Jazz (+4000)

I've jumped off the Jazz's bandwagon so many times that my knees are hurting. Utah's offense couldn't get going in the bubble, and its defense - which was supposed to be this team's 2019-20 calling card - was below average.

The Jazz lucked into a playoff series against the vulnerable Nuggets, but I'll believe in this team's postseason mettle when I see it.

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.