The Brooklyn Nets have all of a sudden emerged as one of the top betting favorites to win the 2020 NBA title, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers in terms of bets placed since the season went on hiatus.

In a recent report by Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, he notes that the Nets have emerged as a hot bet under the premise that both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving might be able to return when the season resumes as expected:

The belief that Durant and Irving could return this season has made its way to Las Vegas as sports betting organizations have seen a spike in wagers for Brooklyn to win the NBA Finals, if the league resumes this summer. Since the season was suspended, only the Lakers have had more bets placed on them to take home a title.

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To be clear, the Nets have not confirmed anything. Durant hasn't played all season due to his Achilles rehab, and multiple reports have claimed he has no intention to return this season. As for Irving, who underwent surgery on his injured shoulder not long before the season went on hiatus, he likewise does not have a firm timetable to return.

You also have to take into consideration that the Nets have always been notoriously mum about the injuries of their players. It could very much be possible that both Durant and Irving are already fit to return and will actually do so this season. Perhaps the oddsmakers have some insider information, which has caused Brooklyn's title odds to skyrocket of late.