Compelling and exhilarating adequately sum up the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs through the first two rounds. Top chalk, prior to the start of the postseason, the Brooklyn Nets (+220) lost in the Conference semifinal round. The second favorite, defending champion Los Angeles Lakers (+460), were bounced in the quarterfinals. The teams in the Final Four opened as third, fifth, seventh and 12th favorites to win the NBA title.
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. That line, written by Harry Nilsson and made famous by Three Dog Night, applies to the four teams still in the hunt for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.