This is one of the tougher seasons in which to effectively partake in NBA online betting. A COVID-19 surge continues to run rampant throughout the league, and this relentless stream of entries into health and safety protocols has made it difficult to glean profound takeaways and to make NBA picks on a game-to-game basis.
Fortunately, as the Association nears the halfway point, we at least know enough about each team's main players to drop our predictions accordingly. We can also use what we know to suss out squads on the rise who may be flashed in the pan. In this latest edition of NBA picks, we're interested in figuring out whether the Toronto Raptors are sleeping contenders after a hot start to 2022. We also have questions about the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls.
First, though, let's take a look at all the latest NBA betting odds available over at MyBookie:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Wizards | -430 | +340 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Phoenix Suns | -178 | +150 | Toronto Raptors |
| Golden State Warriors | -120 | +102 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Chicago Bulls | -1100 | +700 | Detroit Pistons |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -158 | +134 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Denver Nuggets | -126 | +108 | LA Clippers |
Always make sure you're double-checking all NBA betting odds before settling on any of your NBA picks. These lines will continue to shift between now and the opening tips. We also suggest going through our reviews of the best online sportsbooks. All of that information will allow you to single out the top NBA betting sites in the business.
Are the Toronto Raptors Turning a Corner?
In a season like this one, there is a lot of parity when it comes to betting on the NBA Finals and determining the top championship contenders. There seems to be a different possibility emerging every week or two.
After a slow start to the year, the Raptors appear to be joining that fray of fringe title contenders. They have won six straight, and with the Phoenix Suns on tap Tuesday night, they have the opportunity to send a statement to the rest of the league. The question is: Will they?
The Raptors are for Real
While the Suns are a potential title favorite this season, they continue to be shorthanded due to injuries and COVID-19 cases. This should open the door for the Raptors.
Toronto has played spectacular basketball since sniffing full strength. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet look like All-Stars, and they're getting big contributions from Gary Trent Jr. and rookie Scottie Barnes.
It's probably a stretch to say the Raptors will join the title race with the likes of these Suns, the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets. But they are certainly equipped to pull off this single-game upset and keep their winning streak alive.
OSB Prediction: Toronto Raptors (+150)
Washington Gets Back on Track vs. Oklahoma City
The Wizards have been wildly disappointing following their hot start to the season. Their guard play remains underwhelming, and the defense has slipped from its elite peak.
Still, the Thunder are among the NBA's most flagrant tankers. And although they've won some pretty surprising games this season, we don't see their shallow offense as being able to keep up with Washington's transition defense.
OSB Prediction: Washington Wizards (-400)
Golden State Ekes Out a Victory Over Memphis
Picking the Warriors to beat the Grizzlies is more of a risk than it seems. Draymond Green will not be suiting up for this one, and Golden State's offense could suffer as they try to re-integrate Klay Thompson, who played for the first time in 941 days this past Sunday.
Given how well the Grizzlies have been playing the past two months, it almost makes sense to roll with them. In the end, though, we just have too much faith in Stephen Curry, and we remain concerned about Memphis' defense after the latest injury to Dillon Brooks.
OSB Prediction: Toronto Raptors (-120)
Chicago Bags a Blowout Against Detroit
This should be your easiest bet of the night.
Detroit has won fewer than 10 games on the season, and while its most recent victory came against the Utah Jazz, this tilt also happens to mark the second one in a back-to-back for the Pistons. Don't expect them to put up much of a fight.
The Bulls, meanwhile, have the Eastern Conference's best record to go along with a top-10 offense and defense. They should win by double digits.
OSB Prediction: Chicago Bulls (-1100)
Denver Takes Down Shorthanded Clippers
There isn't much trust in the Nuggets these days. Nikola Jokic is putting together an MVP-caliber campaign, but absences from Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and, just recently, Will Barton render them unpredictable on a nightly basis.
Fortunately for Denver, they are going up against a Clippers team that is without both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and that has yet to figure out their half-court offense. The Nuggets should be able to grind out another victory.
OSB Prediction: Denver Nuggets (-126)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NBA betting:
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