Everyone has their own online NBA betting strategy, particularly when it comes to postseason futures. Some like to jump on betting odds to win the NBA Finals in the preseason, or at the midseason mark, or just before the playoffs. Others won't even touch NBA Finals futures until during the postseason.
Predicting the winner of every playoff series is a different type of exercise. You can't afford to wait too long, otherwise it'll be over. That's why most tend to pounce on series prices before they ever start. However, there is value to be mined from picking the winner of every series after they begin. You just have to time it right.
That's our goal for these 2022 NBA playoff predictions: predict the winner of every first-round series with enough time left for you to get in worthwhile wagers. We begin, like always, with an overview of the latest betting odds on the 2022 NBA playoffs:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | -1800 | +980 | Toronto Raptors |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -1300 | +3000 | Chicago Bulls |
| Boston Celtics | -205 | +172 | Brooklyn Nets |
| Miami Heat | -770 | +530 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Utah Jazz | -185 | +150 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Golden State Warriors | -880 | +690 | Denver Nuggets |
| Phoenix Suns | -1200 | +1150 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Memphis Grizzlies | -126 | +108 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Definitely make sure you're checking these 2022 NBA playoff betting lines for accuracy prior to deciding on any picks. Series prices move quickly and starkly, especially after each individual game. We are making our 2022 NBA playoff picks on Tuesday, April 19, when every first-round series is no more than one game old.
Before you dive fully into NBA playoff betting, consider having a look at our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. With all the details we've assembled, you should have no trouble singling out the best 2022 NBA playoffs betting sites to use.
Do the Sixers Have Their Matchup vs. the Raptors in the Bag?
Injuries have pretty much left the Raptors gasping for air. Star rookie Scottie Barnes doesn't project to return this series, and Fred VanVleet's bad knee has clearly been hampering him on defense.
Toronto still has the defense to ugly up the series enough and steal a game or two. But with the way James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris are playing for Philadelphia, they probably won't.
OSB Series Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers (-1800)
Bet on the Bucks to Win First-Round Series vs. Bulls ASAP
Some might be worried about how the Bucks almost lost Game 1 to the Bulls. Don't be.
Milwaukee won't shoot that poorly from downtown forever, and you can bet head coach Mike Budenholzer will roll out his best players for longer stints from hereon. We still think this series will be a clean sweep for Milwaukee.
OSB Series Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks (-1300)
Does Minnesota Have What It Takes to Upset Memphis?
The Timberwolves have turned us into believers.
Between how tough of a matchup Karl-Anthony Towns poses to the Grizzlies frontcourt and how large the discrepancy in three-point shooting is between Minnesota and Memphis, we're officially convinced the seventh-place Timberwolves are headed to the semifinals.
OSB Series Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves (+108)
Boston Has What It Takes to Advance Past Brooklyn
Despite losing Game 1, the Nets showed that having either Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant at full tilt is enough to keep them in it and even grab fourth-quarter leads. This is to say, Brooklyn will not go out with a whimper.
But they will go out. The Celtics defense is simply too deep and ferocious for the Nets to count on their two stars (Kyrie and KD) successfully doing the heavy lifting every game.
OSB Series Prediction: Boston Celtics (-205)
Miami is Too Much for Atlanta to Handle
The Hawks defense has been a problem spot all season. Now, without Clint Capela, we're not sure how they're supposed to get stops at all.
Worse for Atlanta still, the Heat's half-court offense already seems to be operating on another level. That, combined with their switch-proof defense, has us thinking this first-round matchup won't make it past Game 5.
OSB Series Prediction: Miami Heat (-770)
Who Has the Edge in Mavs vs. Jazz Series?
Many wrote the Mavericks out of this series upon hearing superstar Luka Doncic would miss at least the first two games with a calf strain.
So much for that.
Dallas stole Game 2 from Utah on the back of Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber to even up the series at one game apiece. Doncic now has three more days off to test out his calf.
That's a problem for the Jazz, who continue to lack the perimeter athleticism necessary to contain the ball and defend corner threes. We'd still pick Utah if we thought Doncic was going to miss more time, but we expect him back in Game 3, if not by Game 4. Oddsmakers don't seem to agree, making now a great time to jump on Dallas.
OSB Series Prediction: Dallas Mavericks (+150)
Golden State Already Dismantling Denver in the First Round
Without Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray to buoy the offense alongside Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are very clearly overmatched. As it stands, they're in a 2-0 series hole, and while the prospect of returning home to Denver's high altitude looms, we can't envision them doing more than bagging a game.
Heck, if Jordan Poole and Draymond Green keep this up, the Warriors might even complete the sweep.
OSB Series Prediction: Golden State Warriors (-880)
Don't be Surprised if Phoenix Sweeps New Orleans
Credit the Pelicans for fighting their way back after falling into a huge hole during Game 1, but the lack of versatility on their roster is going to do them in at some point.
Phoenix's one-big lineups, with Deandre Ayton or JaVale McGee in the middle, are already proving to be too much for them, and New Orleans doesn't have much of a counter. Nor do they have enough three-point shooting.
Expect this series to end in four or, at most, five games.
OSB Series Prediction: Phoenix Suns (-1200)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your 2022 NBA playoffs betting:
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