Latest Odds to Win the 2022 NBA Championship
NBA Odds to Win 2022 Championship
Phoenix Suns: +400
Golden State Warriors: +425
Brooklyn Nets: +500
Milwaukee Bucks: +575
Philadelphia 76ers: +800
Miami Heat: +1100
Utah Jazz: +1600
Chicago Bulls: +2500
Memphis Grizzlies: +2500
Denver Nuggets: +3500
Los Angeles Lakers: +3500
Boston Celtics: +4000
Dallas Mavericks: +4500
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600
These odds are provided by Bovada, But be sure to shop around the different sports betting sites in order to locate the best number.
Criteria
In order to be objective as possible about deciding which team or teams to invest in, let's establish the things that an NBA champion needs to have.
Wins
It's often said that the regular season offers minimal indication of who will succeed in the playoffs.
While it would be mistaken to place too much analytical emphasis on regular season results, we shouldn't dismiss them entirely.
Since 2005, every NBA champion but one ranked top-five in the regular season in win-percentage.
Last season, Milwaukee was the last exception. The Bucks, though, benefitted from injuries to other teams' star players while they stayed relatively healthy.
In other words, the Bucks beat teams en route to their championship that did not have the degree of health in their personnel that they had relied on to earn a great regular season record.
The Bucks were also no regular season slouches: they had the NBA's seventh-best win percentage.
It may be alluring to invest in a dark horse that's hot right now -- Boston, for example.
The Celtics have won nine of their last 10, but their ability to win on the road remains questionable because, during their win streak, they got to face many bottom-feeder teams such as Detroit and Orlando.
So far, they have a losing record on the road.
Three-Point Shooting
One other reason why the Celtics are unappealing is their inefficient three-point shooting.
They rank 21st in three-point percentage.
The problem with this ranking is that three-point shooting is a point of emphasis in today's NBA.
NBA champions tend to rank highly in three-point percentage. In close games especially, every possession counts, and it's helpful to be able to score more often an extra point (three instead of two) in a possession.
In addition to the Celtics, the 76ers and Grizzlies are worth eliminating from consideration for their inefficient shooting from deep.
Defense
Defensive rating is likewise a valuable statistic to account for when selecting a potential NBA champion.
Since 2005, every NBA Finals winner has ranked top-11 in defensive rating.
This fact eliminates Chicago from consideration.
The Bulls have improved vastly this year, such that they own one of the NBA's highest win percentages.
While their three-point shooting has been efficient, they rank 20thin defensive rating.
Other potential candidates like the Nets, Nuggets, and Lakers must likewise be eliminated from consideration due to their lack of defensive quality.
Superstar
It is often said that the NBA is a superstar-driven league and this is true.
An NBA champion will have a superstar. Last year it was Giannis.
Frequently, it's been LeBron, Steph Curry, or Kevin Durant.
All three of those players will take over for their team with the game on the line and they will be the most prolific scorers on their squad.
Of those superstars, LeBron and Durant play on teams whose defense is too poor.
Giannis is on a Milwaukee team that is still competitive. However, it's rare for a team to win back-to-back championships.
It's this reliable, repeat All-NBA first-teamer that Miami misses.
My Pick
While Phoenix checks the aforementioned boxes, Sun stars lack the same championship pedigree that my NBA pick has.
I recommend investing in Golden State to win it all. The Warriors have the three-point shooting efficiency, the strong defense, and the superstar personnel.
They've done it before with their current head coach and, in my view, they're the likeliest team to become NBA champs this year.
Best Bet: Golden State at +425 with Bovada
NBA Odds to Win 2022 Championship
Phoenix Suns: +400
Golden State Warriors: +425
Brooklyn Nets: +500
Milwaukee Bucks: +575
Philadelphia 76ers: +800
Miami Heat: +1100
Utah Jazz: +1600
Chicago Bulls: +2500
Memphis Grizzlies: +2500
Denver Nuggets: +3500
Los Angeles Lakers: +3500
Boston Celtics: +4000
Dallas Mavericks: +4500
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600
These odds are provided by Bovada, But be sure to shop around the different sports betting sites in order to locate the best number.
Criteria
In order to be objective as possible about deciding which team or teams to invest in, let's establish the things that an NBA champion needs to have.
Wins
It's often said that the regular season offers minimal indication of who will succeed in the playoffs.
While it would be mistaken to place too much analytical emphasis on regular season results, we shouldn't dismiss them entirely.
Since 2005, every NBA champion but one ranked top-five in the regular season in win-percentage.
Last season, Milwaukee was the last exception. The Bucks, though, benefitted from injuries to other teams' star players while they stayed relatively healthy.
In other words, the Bucks beat teams en route to their championship that did not have the degree of health in their personnel that they had relied on to earn a great regular season record.
The Bucks were also no regular season slouches: they had the NBA's seventh-best win percentage.
It may be alluring to invest in a dark horse that's hot right now -- Boston, for example.
The Celtics have won nine of their last 10, but their ability to win on the road remains questionable because, during their win streak, they got to face many bottom-feeder teams such as Detroit and Orlando.
So far, they have a losing record on the road.
Three-Point Shooting
One other reason why the Celtics are unappealing is their inefficient three-point shooting.
They rank 21st in three-point percentage.
The problem with this ranking is that three-point shooting is a point of emphasis in today's NBA.
NBA champions tend to rank highly in three-point percentage. In close games especially, every possession counts, and it's helpful to be able to score more often an extra point (three instead of two) in a possession.
In addition to the Celtics, the 76ers and Grizzlies are worth eliminating from consideration for their inefficient shooting from deep.
Defense
Defensive rating is likewise a valuable statistic to account for when selecting a potential NBA champion.
Since 2005, every NBA Finals winner has ranked top-11 in defensive rating.
This fact eliminates Chicago from consideration.
The Bulls have improved vastly this year, such that they own one of the NBA's highest win percentages.
While their three-point shooting has been efficient, they rank 20thin defensive rating.
Other potential candidates like the Nets, Nuggets, and Lakers must likewise be eliminated from consideration due to their lack of defensive quality.
Superstar
It is often said that the NBA is a superstar-driven league and this is true.
An NBA champion will have a superstar. Last year it was Giannis.
Frequently, it's been LeBron, Steph Curry, or Kevin Durant.
All three of those players will take over for their team with the game on the line and they will be the most prolific scorers on their squad.
Of those superstars, LeBron and Durant play on teams whose defense is too poor.
Giannis is on a Milwaukee team that is still competitive. However, it's rare for a team to win back-to-back championships.
It's this reliable, repeat All-NBA first-teamer that Miami misses.
My Pick
While Phoenix checks the aforementioned boxes, Sun stars lack the same championship pedigree that my NBA pick has.
I recommend investing in Golden State to win it all. The Warriors have the three-point shooting efficiency, the strong defense, and the superstar personnel.
They've done it before with their current head coach and, in my view, they're the likeliest team to become NBA champs this year.
Best Bet: Golden State at +425 with Bovada
