Who will win the 2022 NBA Finals? Betting odds, favourites and expert picks for every playoff series, MVP

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Micah Adams
• 8 min read
Giannis Antetokounmpo

The 2022 NBA Playoffs are here.

In the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will take on DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls, while Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers will face off against Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors.

In the West, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors meet Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, while Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks come up against Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz.

With the Play-In Tournament concluded, championship favourites the Phoenix Suns know they face the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Boston Celtics clash with the Brooklyn Nets in what should be a fascinating matchup — not least for Kyrie Irving.

Below, you can find betting information on the NBA Playoffs, from the favourites to win the title to our expert picks on who will win each first-round series.

MORE: Ben Simmons injury update: Will Nets' star return in 2022 NBA Playoffs?

Who are the favourites to win the 2022 NBA Finals?

The oddsmakers like both the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks to emerge from the Eastern and Western Conference, setting up a rematch of last year's NBA Finals won by the Bucks.

Although the Miami Heat finished with the No. 1 seed in the East, they are currently listed at 9/1 with Skybet to win the championship, which puts them behind the Suns, Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets among the favourites.

Perhaps the most intriguing first-round series is between the Celtics and Nets, both of whom enter the playoffs as top contenders to win the whole thing. Despite ranking among the top-four favourites, one of them will be going home early.

Team Odds to win NBA Finals
Phoenix Suns 5/2
Milwaukee Bucks 9/2
Golden State Warriors 6/1
Brooklyn Nets 8/1
Boston Celtics 8/1
Miami Heat 9/1
Philadelphia 76ers 14/1
Memphis Grizzlies 20/1
Utah Jazz 22/1
Dallas Mavericks 50/1
Denver Nuggets 50/1
Toronto Raptors 50/1
Chicago Bulls 66/1
Minnesota Timberwolves 66/1
Atlanta Hawks 100/1
New Orleans Pelicans  100/1

Who will win the 2022 NBA MVP award?

Nikola Jokic is the favourite to claim a second straight MVP award. In a hotly contested race with Joel Embiid of the 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, it appears that Jokic is in control to become the 13th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

It's been a tight race all season long.

Luka Doncic began the season as the betting favourite but was soon passed by Stephen Curry who came out of the gates on fire. As Curry cooled off in December, the three dominant big men emerged to make it essentially a three-man race from the time the calendar flipped to 2022.

Betting odds and expert picks: 2022 NBA Playoffs first round

Suns vs. Pelicans

  • Series odds: Suns 1/20, Pelicans 12/1

Yes, the Pelicans have firepower with CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas. If Zion Williamson were to somehow return, they would all of a sudden become a sneaky pick. Don't fall for it. The Suns are motivated, hungry and ready to play any style against any opponent. New Orleans has the talent to steal one or two games. But the Suns aren't losing early. 

The pick: Suns in 5

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves

  • Series odds: Grizzlies 4/6, Timberwolves 11/10

The Grizzlies graduated from "feel-good story" to "unquestionable title contender" with a head-turning second half of the season. Ja Morant got a taste of the playoffs last season and he's ready to go on a real run. The Grizzlies rank in the top six in offence and defence with a grind-it-out pace that translates to postseason play. Minnesota made a brilliant start in Game 1, but their feel-good story ends here.

The pick: Grizzlies in 5

Warriors vs. Nuggets

  • Series odds: Warriors 1/6, Nuggets 7/2

Expect a monster series from likely MVP Nikola Jokic who has advanced out of the first round in each of his first three trips to the postseason. Even with Draymond Green, the Warriors do not have the size to match up with Jokic, who started with 25 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1. If Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. — or even just one of them — were healthy, I'd pick the Nuggets to spring the upset. But Golden State should have just enough to get by, and that sparkling performance by Jordan Poole on Saturday has only boosted those chances.

The pick: Warriors in 7

Mavericks vs. Jazz

  • Series odds: Mavericks 9/2, Jazz 1/7

Luka Doncic missed Game 1 with a calf injury sustained in the last game of the regular season. Despite a week off, it's apparently still bad enough, which spells concern for a heliocentric Mavericks team that revolves entirely around its star. If Doncic misses more than one or two games, there isn't much of an excuse for Utah. I'll proceed with the assumption that Doncic returns and in that scenario, I like him carrying the load in a potential Game 7 at home.

The pick: Mavericks in 7

Heat vs. Hawks

  • Series odds: Heat 1/4, Hawks 11/4

The Heat have found a way all season long. Miami somehow survived extended absences by both Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler to win a highly competitive Eastern Conference, which bodes well for their chances in the playoffs. The Heat defend and Tyler Herro is the best off-the-bench playmaker in the entire league. Miami won't beat themselves and won't be at a talent deficit this early on.

The pick: Heat in 5

Celtics vs. Nets

  • Series odds: Celtics 4/6, Nets 6/5

By far the most intriguing first-round matchup in either conference. No team in NBA history has posted a better scoring margin than the Celtics over the final 30 games of the season, which should indicate a team ready to win the whole thing. They have an All-NBA player in Jayson Tatum, two Defensive Player of the Year candidates in Marcus Smart and Robert Williams, and by far the best defence in the entire league. And yet staring across from them are Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, perhaps the two most skilled offensive players in the world. It seems ridiculous to pick against Boston, but KD is that good.

The pick: Nets in 7

Bucks vs. Bulls

  • Series odds: Bucks 1/11, Bulls 7/1

The Bucks have largely been on cruise control for the majority of the regular season. Chicago largely fizzled over the past couple of months, finishing with one of the 10 worst records in the league over that span. The Bucks should get by the Bulls easily as they start ramping up to repeat. DeMar Derozan is good enough to steal one game but that's it. 

The pick: Bucks in 5

76ers vs. Raptors

  • Series odds: 76ers 2/9, Raptors 3/1

If there is one series that could push Celtics vs. Nets for the title of best of the first round, it's this one. Joel Embiid has been a wrecking ball all season long and became the first center to win the scoring title since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000. And yet the Raptors have historically given him fits as he plays worse against Toronto than any other team: he managed 19 points in 37 minutes in Game 1, with Tyrese Maxey the man who carried them to that opening win. The Raptors are a funky bunch with a ton of switchable, long players. Look for them to get out and run, putting a stress on Embiid's fitness and Philadelphia's lack of depth. The pressure rests squarely on James Harden. If he plays like an All-Star, the 76ers should advance. But if his postseason struggles re-surface, the Raptors can spring the upset.

The pick: Raptors in 6

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Micah Adams
Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate Content at Sporting News.
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