Steve Starr
- BetOnline has the Brooklyn Nets (+225) as the favorites to win the 2022 NBA championship
- LeBron James and the Lakers (+325) look to be on a NBA Finals collision course with Kevin Durant’s Nets
- The 2021-22 NBA season is set to tip off on Oct. 19 with a double header between the Nets/Bucks and Warriors/Lakers
Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving make the Nets an obvious championship favorite, but trouble is already brewing thanks to a flat-earthing rebel without a cause. Because Irving refuses to get vaccinated, New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates could bar him from playing and practicing at home.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, Kyrie stands to forfeit some of his $34 million seasonal salary in fines and lost pay, but worse yet, his antics could unravel Brooklyn’s NBA Finals aspirations.
With the season less than two weeks away, let’s check the opening 2022 NBA Championship odds, and if you need any help or advice, make sure to review these tips for betting on basketball.
2022 NBA Championship Odds
 |
|
| Brooklyn Nets | +225 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +325 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +950 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1200 |
| Phoenix Suns | +1600 |
| Utah Jazz | +1600 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1800 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1800 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1800 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +2400 |
| Miami Heat | +2500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +4000 |
| Boston Celtics | +4000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +4000 |
| New York Knicks | +5000 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +5000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +8000 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +8000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +8000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +10000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +10000 |
| Washington Wizards | +12500 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +15000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +20000 |
| Sacramento Kings | +25000 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +30000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +30000 |
| Houston Rockets | +30000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +30000 |
| Orlando Magic | +30000 |
Nets vs. Lakers in NBA Finals?
While it was nice to see Giannis Antetokounmpo win his first championship last summer, many NBA fans felt cheated after a rash of injuries took out Nets stars Kyrie Irving and James Harden, as well as Lakers big man Anthony Davis.
Oddsmakers foresee better health for both clubs this season, listing Brooklyn (+225) and Los Angeles (+325) as the clear title favorites heading into the 2021-22 NBA season.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and Rajon Rondo all play for the same team.
Let that sink in. HALL OF FAMERS 🙏pic.twitter.com/jrMKZHd0d4
— Lake Show (@LakeShowFamily) September 28, 2021
Both veteran squads made moves to get even older this offseason. The Purple & Gold brought in All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan and Carmelo Anthony, while the Nets inked short-term deals with Patty Mills, Bruce Brown, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap.
With health being the only title obstacle for these clubs, it’s not out of the question to lay money on both and hope for a dream NBA Finals matchup between LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Who else can win the title?
Milwaukee Bucks (+950). It’s not everyday you can get the reigning NBA champions at almost 10-to-1, but oddsmakers don’t have much faith in Giannis, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday repeating after the club did little this offseason to bolster the roster. If you remember, the Bucks were a KD shoe size away from losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to a Brooklyn club with a compromised Harden and without Kyrie.
Golden State Warriors (+1200). If you bet on Steve Kerr’s club, you need three things to happen: 1) Klay Thompson to return to All-Star form after suffering season-ending ACL and Achilles tears in 2019 and 2020. 2) a superstar like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal or Ben Simmons to force his way to the Bay Area; and 3) for the Warriors core-four of Steph Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Mystery Superstar X to be better than the Big 3’s on the Lakers and Nets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is just hitting his stride!
Bucks Nation, we have some good years lined up in front of us 💯 pic.twitter.com/qYNrwNYtTJ
— Bucks Nation (@BucksNationCP) September 28, 2021
Denver Nuggets (+1800). While the Nugs’ roster doesn’t quite resemble a championship contender, they might be able to make a Phoenix-like run to the NBA Finals if the Lakers succumb to injuries once again. The secret recipe here is for point guard Jamal Murray to return healthy for the playoffs, Michael Porter Jr. to take another step forward, and Aaron Gordon to form a killer frontcourt tandem with reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
