We are at the All-Star break of the NBA season and there have been some disappointments and surprises along the way. Now as the second half of the season gets underway, it is time to revisit the preseason odds for The Finals and compare them to where some of these teams are sitting now as we enter the stretch for the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets
Preseason Odds: +210
Current Odds: +550
The big three experiment is over already in Brooklyn. With James Harden being traded to Philly, Kyrie and KD will now play with Ben Simmons as they look to bring a title to NYC.
Los Angeles Lakers
Preseason Odds: +440
Current Odds: +4200
It may be safe to say the Lakers bet with Russell Westbrook hasn’t paid off. As the Los Angeles Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs completely. They will have to rely on Lebron to save the day once again.
Milwaukee Bucks
Preseason Odds: +850
Current Odds: +650
The Bucks are looking to go back to back this season. Despite a rough start, they have themselves positioned to do just that, as Giannas aims for a third MVP in the last four years.
Golden State Warriors
Preseason Odds: +1200
Current Odds: +410
The splash brothers of old are back, as Curry and Klay are tearing the league up again. The Warriors once again look to add another ring to their already impressive dynasty in this already record breaking season.
Warriors are expected to sign Jordan Poole to a multi-year extension this summer. (via @letourneau)
A 4-year, $80M deal has been talked about among cap experts. pic.twitter.com/Yw0iypvmuE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 23, 2022
Utah Jazz
Preseason Odds: +1500
Current Odds: +1500
At the break the Utah Jazz are in the upper section of the Western Conference standings. As long as Rudy Gobert and Donavon Mitchell stay healthy, they have a chance to make a run at the title.
Phoenix Suns
Preseason Odds: +1500
Current Odds: +410
The Suns have been the best team in the league so far this season. However, now they will have to get it done without Chris Paul as the superstar Point Guard will be out for the foreseeable future with an injury.
Los Angeles Clippers
Preseason Odds: +1600
Current Odds: +10000
The Los Angeles Clippers have been a complete disappointment this season. Much like their Los Angeles counterpart, the Lakers. The Clippers may end up missing the playoffs as well this season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Preseason Odds: +1800
Current Odds: +750
The process has taken another step, after trading Ben Simmons, they have paired two of the most dynamic players in the league together. Only time will tell if James Harden and Joel Embid can lead the 76ers to a title.
about a week ago. 😏
🚗 @Kia | Road Trip Recap pic.twitter.com/d4QokO9niu
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 24, 2022
Denver Nuggets
Preseason Odds: +2400
Current Odds: +3300
Led by Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have put together a decent year thus far. Jokic himself will be going for a second straight Most Valuable Player award as well, all while trying to lead the Nuggets to the top of the NBA.
Miami Heat
Preseason Odds: +2400
Current Odds: +1000
Jimmy Butler has changed the culture in Miami, and now with the rise of Tyler Herro, the Heat look more dangerous than ever. If Bam Adebayo can stay healthy as well, this team could make some serious noise in the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks
Preseason Odds: +2900
Current Odds: +4200
After trading away one of their stars, Luka and the Mavs will look to rebuild midseason and still find their way to a title. Luka has been playing like a potential MVP winner all year long, but only time will tell if he can get the job done on the biggest of stages.
Atlanta Hawks
Preseason Odds: +4000
Current Odds: +16000
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks aren’t playing to their full potential right now. They are in danger of missing the playoffs completely, as it seems more and more likely that Young will need some help to make this team a consistent winner.
Mood because Hawks basketball is back tomorrow 😁 pic.twitter.com/q1u7kf35fX
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 23, 2022
Boston Celtics
Preseason Odds: +4900
Current Odds: +2700
Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics are having an above average year. The Celtics have all the talent they need to win a title this season, they just need to put it all together to get the job done.
Chicago Bulls
Preseason Odds: +7000
Current Odds: +2700
An MVP like season from Zach LaVine and a resurgent Lonzo Ball have the Chicago Bulls playing like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. If the Bulls can reach their peak at the right time they are very capable of winning the whole thing.
Portland Trail Blazers
Preseason Odds: +8000
Current Odds: +50000
After ending the great backcourt pairing of CJ and Dame, it is unknown what the Blazers next step is. As far as this season is concerned, it is clear they will look to rely on Damien Lillard and Nurkic to get them into the playoffs.
Memphis Grizzlies
Preseason Odds: +8500
Current Odds: +3000
It is fair to say Ja Morant is the future of the NBA. However, the man is going to need some help if he wants to turn this team into a consistent winner and title contender. So it will be interesting to see what moves this team makes over the offseason. As far as this year is concerned, the chance is there, but the level of talent this team has will be tested deep into the playoffs.
.@RealJayWilliams has a BOLD prediction 👀⬇️
“The Memphis Grizzlies are going to the NBA Finals!” pic.twitter.com/MjQjKrM2Ei
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 23, 2022
Washington Wizards
Preseason Odds: +10000
Current Odds: +50000
As expected, the Wizards have been a disappointment this season. They still have a shot at making the playoffs if they come on strong during the second half of the season. But their title hopes are few and far between.
New Orleans Pelicans
Preseason Odds: +10000
Current Odds: +50000
The Pelicans seemed to have a talented roster when they traded away Anthony Davis a couple years ago. However, things didn’t work out and the Zion Williamson experiment has seemingly failed as well, so it will be back to square one for the Pels next year.
Toronto Raptors
Preseason Odds: +10000
Current Odds: +10000
The Toronto Raptors have been better than expected as the rise of Fred Van Vleet continues. If Van Vleet can continue his high level of play and Siakam can stay healthy, this team will have a puncher’s chance in the playoffs.
New York Knicks
Preseason Odds: +10000
Current Odds: +50000
It tends to be the same story, every single year for Knicks fans. They anticipate big time free agents and end up nearly empty handed. Once again this year has been another disappointment as they will have some work to do if they want to make the playoffs.
The New York Knicks are a national disgrace, Ladies and Gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/4sxpzgWAkC
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 17, 2022
Indiana Pacers
Preseason Odds: +11000
Current Odds: +50000
The Indiana Pacers made a couple big moves at the deadline. Their goal is to get themselves into playoff contention this season as well as build for the future. It is more likely that they will be building for the future as they probably won’t make the playoffs this season.
Charlotte Hornets
Preseason Odds: +12000
Current Odds: +24000
Lamelo Ball is probably going to win the rookie of the year award. However, in the coming years the youngest Ball brother is going to need some help to lead the Hornets to the promiseland and give Michael Jordan his first title as an owner.
San Antonio Spurs
Preseason Odds: +16000
Current Odds: +50000
The San Antonio Spurs are in a rebuilding year. Which is unfamiliar for coach Pop. They have some work to do but they have some bright pieces in DeJounte Murray. However, it may be a long road ahead for San Antonio.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Preseason Odds: +19000
Current Odds: +10000
Anthony Edwards is one of the brightest stars in the NBA, alongside Karl Anthony Towns, they have the Timberwolves in a decent position. If they can get hot at the right time they could make some serious noise in the playoffs.
🌟 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹-𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 🌟
the greatest shooting big man ever. pic.twitter.com/cdiDBG1wiK
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 22, 2022
Sacramento Kings
Preseason Odds: +24000
Current Odds: +50000
The Sacramento Kings may be better served by moving to Seattle at this point. They have constantly been one of the worst teams in the league year after year. It’s the same story this year as they are 12th/15th in the Western Conference.
Houston Rockets
Preseason Odds: +25000
Current Odds: +50000
The Houston Rockets have a great grouping of young pieces that will pay off down the line. However, they are just not ready to compete in the NBA yet. In a couple years I predict Houston will be one of the better teams in the league.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Preseason Odds: +25000
Current Odds: +50000
Oklahoma City wasted three of the greatest players of our generation years ago. They still haven’t really recovered from that but they are on the right track. Much like Houston, I expect Oklahoma City to be more competitive in the coming years, just not this year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Preseason Odds: +25000
Current Odds: +5000
The Cleveland Cavs have been the biggest surprise of the 2021-22 season. If you managed to pick up this bet before the season you may have gotten the biggest steal of the season.
A winning weekend for Cleveland 🤩#NBAAllStar | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/RrxlyhYgcs
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 21, 2022
Detroit Pistons
Preseason Odds: +25000
Current Odds: +50000
Cade Cunningham is the future of the Detroit Pistons. But it is still going to take a few years for them to realize their full potential. For now Detroit will have to settle for building through the draft.
Orlando Magic
Preseason Odds: +25000
Current Odds: +50000
The Magic have a very long way to go before them can become a title contender again. Orlando has been the worst team in the NBA this season and that won’t change in the second half.
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.