The 2022 NBA Playoffs are off and running, and they will continue over the next two months. Here is a look at how the Western Conference race could shape up, along with those odds.
For the past two decades, the Western Conference has been the best group of teams in the NBA. That is no longer the case, as it appears that the Eastern Conference has a more loaded group of contenders.
The Phoenix Suns are the defending Western Conference champions, and they are going to be a team to look out for again this year. There could be some upsets that happen throughout the postseason, but the two best teams appear to be set.
Here is a look at the current betting odds to win the NBA Western Conference, but these odds could always change as well.
Two Clear Favorites
The Phoenix Suns have been big betting favorites to win the Western Conference since the season began, and that is still the case. Phoenix is now joined by the Golden State Warriors, though, and it could be a two-team race to the title.
The odds for the Suns to win the NBA championship are currently at -135, and that team is also the favorite to win the NBA Championship. Golden State is next on the list at +250, and the Warriors are always a team to watch out for.
Since the Suns are the top seed and the Warriors are the third seed, these teams wouldn’t meet up until the Western Conference Finals.
Grizzlies, Jazz Hoping to Surprise
The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, and they earned the number two seed in the West. Memphis actually suffered a Game 1 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they still have odds set at +950 to win the championship.
The Utah Jazz are always a team to watch out for in the Western Conference, but they have taken a step back this season. Utah has odds set at +1200 to win the West, but they are currently in a tough series with the Dallas Mavericks.
If any team outside of the top two is going to win the West, then it should be either the Jazz or Grizzlies.
Four Teams Viewed As Longshots
The other four teams in the Western Conference are all looking to make a surprising run to the NBA Finals. Stranger things have happened, but it would be a shock to see one of the other four teams in the West become the conference champion.
The Dallas Mavericks have the fifth-best odds to win the Western Conference, but those odds are all the way down at +2700. The Minnesota Timberwolves are next on the list at +3000, and they already stunned the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1.
There are two other solid teams in the Western Conference, but oddsmakers don’t think they will factor in the playoffs. The Denver Nuggets are +5500, and the New Orleans Pelicans are at +12000.
