NBA 2022 Playoff Predictions

The NBA playoffs are here, having begun on April 16. Game three of the opening round is now approaching and each team will be looking to win the best of seven series to advance to the next round. As we’re only two games in, a lot could still happen over the course of the playoffs, especially as we advance into the later rounds. The race to the finals is wide open, but that doesn’t stop fans from trying to predict who they think will go on to win.

Although the NBA playoffs are difficult to predict, this is one of the most exciting times to be a sports bettor. There are loads of great games going on and plenty of opportunities to place a bet. Single event sports betting Canada is now available after a change in law, meaning it’s now possible to bet on individual games. Currently, the Suns are the favorites to win the 2022 NBA Championship, but anyone has a chance.

Eastern Conference Predictions

The Eastern Conference is one of the most interesting, and there could be plenty of upsets here. One of the most interesting matchups is between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are one of the favorites to win the Championship this season, but they’ve gone down two games against the Celtics in the first round already. The Celtics might be an impressive team with good defensive abilities, but few would have predicted them getting past the Nets when the brackets were announced. As it happens, they still have a lot to do, and most fans feel Durant and Irving have enough to get the win.

Elsewhere in the Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Toronto Raptors. The 76ers feature James Harding, who has already changed teams twice this season and is known as one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and one of the best overall players in the league. Despite Harden’s talent, the 76ers could struggle here and face a lot of pressure early on in the first round. They’ve gone up two games to zero, but their coach Doc Rivers has a history of struggling in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Raptors are coached by Nick Nurse, one of the best young coaches in the league. They have a great chance of turning this around and upsetting the 76ers.

Western Conference Predictions

The Western Conference is home to some of the strongest teams in the league, including the current favorites to win the NBA Championship this season. As +160 favorites, most expect the Phoenix Suns to get through the first round of the playoffs. They’re up against the Pelicans, and have already won the first game. Chris Paul, the Suns’ leading scorer with 26.5 points per game, has returned from a broken thumb, while backcourt partner Devin Booker, the team’s leading scorer with 26.5 points per game, is also in fine form. In addition, the squad has won routinely this season despite the absence of some of its key stars.

While the Suns and the Golden State Warriors are two of the favorites coming out of the Western Conference, fans shouldn’t overlook the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are currently playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round and are tied 1-1 after two games. They’ve never won the Championship in their history, but many fans are tipping them as outsiders to win the finals for the first time. One of the key players in the Grizzlies’ push to win the Championship is Ja Morant, who’s in contention for this season’s MVP awards after his brilliant performances.