You better believe it's time to refresh betting odds on the 2022 NBA Finals.
Though the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs isn't yet wrapped, four teams have already advanced on to the semifinals entering play on Thursday, April 28: The Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat. And with the field of available NBA Finals bets now winnowing, all 2022 NBA futures are now drastically different than they were a few weeks ago.
Case in point: We have a new 2022 NBA Finals betting favorite. When we last did this exercise, at the start of the playoffs, the Bucks and Phoenix Suns were top dogs. Now, however, the Warriors are NBA title favorites after beating the Denver Nuggets in five games. Have they earned that honor? And what are some other best 2022 NBA Finals bets you should be monitoring? We're here to get into it.
First, though, let's go back over the latest betting odds to win the 2022 NBA Finals:
| NBA Title Pick |  |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | +300 |
| Phoenix Suns | +390 |
| Boston Celtics | +460 |
| Miami Heat | +550 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +650 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +1000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1600 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1600 |
| Utah Jazz | +6000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +12000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +16000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +16000 |
Keep refreshing these odds on the NBA until you settle on your championship pick. The betting odds on the NBA Finals have already moved a bunch since the playoffs tipped off, and they will continue to do so—daily. Our NBA Finals odds are accurate as of Thursday, April 28.
To that point, it has never been more important to check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. They are designed to help you spot the best betting sites in 2022 and, by extension, can ensure you find the right home for all of your online NBA betting.
Why the Warriors are Title Favorites
It's tough to fault oddsmakers for taking the Warriors (+300) from the third, fourth or fifth best titles odds to the top spot. They just dispatched a banged-up Nuggets team in the first round, but all of their stars—Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson—are healthy for the first time since 2019.
Factor in the emergence of Jordan Poole and Gary Payton II and the Warriors are suddenly built to play fast and furious, with a hellacious defense even when they downsize. Floor spacing can be a concern in certain units, but the lack of firepower throughout the rest of the West right now renders that a moot point.
Better NBA Finals Bet: Heat or Celtics?
Imagine asking this question a few months ago. The answer easily would have been the Heat (+550)
Technically, it still might be. Miami's defense made mincemeat out of Trae Young in the first round, and they've gotten offensive boosts from Max Strus and Victor Oladipo. But that depth comes in the face of injuries. Both Kyle Lowry (hamstring) and Jimmy Butler (knee) are dealing with issues at the moment.
This isn't to say the Celtics (+460) are the choice by default. They have arguably been the best team in the league since the All-Star break. Between their own switchable defense and the offensive ascensions of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston might actually be the favorites to come out of the East.
Are the Suns Still Contenders Post-Devin Booker Injury?
Oddsmakers are listing the Suns (+390) at a discount following Devin Booker's hamstring injury. We suggest purchasing their stock at this price while you can.
Booker is actually well on his way to returning, perhaps even before Phoenix wraps up their first-round set with the Pelicans. That gives him plenty of time to test out his hamstring and ramp up in the next series.
Is Milwaukee a Threat without Khris Middleton?
This is such a tough question. The Bucks (+650) have been knocked down a few pegs since Khris Middleton's sprained MCL, an injury that will force him to miss the first part of their second-round series with the Celtics.
In most years, we'd trust that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday can get Milwaukee by. We're not so sure anymore. The Celtics are that good.
Then again, Brook Lopez has played well for the Bucks since returning from his back injury, and Grayson Allen has recently given them some big minutes. Beyond that, we can't help but pounce on a Giannis-led defending champion laying 6.5-to-1 odds this late in the game.
Updated 2022 NBA Finals Prediction
Our 2022 NBA championship pick has been consistent all season long, and it isn't changing now. We're buying the Suns.
Yes, Booker's injury changes the calculus quite a bit. So, too, does the Warriors' recent surge. But no team in the league is more consistent at both ends of the floor than the Suns. They generally don't make mistakes, they have unique lineup combinations to throw out even when they're short-handed, and they are deceptively deep when considering how well Landry Shamet, JaVale McGee, and Cameron Payne have played to close the first round.
Scoop up the Suns at +390 now. It won't be long before that number plummets closer to even money.
OSB NBA Championship Prediction: Phoenix Suns (+390)
Take a look at this list of the best online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your 2022 NBA playoffs betting:
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