Current 2022 Western Conference NBA odds & betting picks

Similar to the NBA Eastern Conference, the Western Conference is just as open. While the Golden State Warriors are definitely back, they are no longer the power house from a couple of years ago. BettingPlanet has the top betting favorites to win the NBA Western Conference this season.

Golden State Warriors / Phoenix Suns (+170)

It truly is a toss up between these two teams. The Warriors have had the quickest come back in recent memory that actually turned out to be more of a re-tool rather than a rebuild as many of us thought. The Warriors still have the greatest three-point shooter of all time in Steph Curry, as well as Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. These three have won together significantly more than any other trio in the NBA and the odds reflect that. Pair that trio with Andrew Wiggins who has turned into a solid role player and James Wiseman who has been banged up but looks to be coming back soon, and the Warriors look poised to give the Suns a run for their money to end the season.

The Warriors are 43-17 heading out of the All-Star break but are 6.5 games out of first place behind the Suns. If there is one team that has the ability to go on a run it’s the Warriors led by head coach Steve Kerr. For as much as the majority of the NBA wanted to see the Warriors struggle for a while after their recent dynasty, they look to be set up pretty well again for the next couple of seasons.

The Suns, on the other hand, are back with a vengeance. The Suns were significant favorites in last year’s finals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks but ended up losing four straight games after leading the series two games to none. The Suns are unlike the Warriors, are a team that went through a long drawn out rebuild that put them in a very good situation here in 2022 and beyond. They exploded onto the scene last season, going 51-21 in the shortened 2020 season.

The Suns are currently 49-10 and look to be on pace to shatter last year’s record of 51 wins. They have been back and forth with the Warriors but have managed to distance themselves quite a bit as of the All-Star break. The Suns and Monty Williams have arrived and are serious title contenders yet again, but this year they have the experience to not crack under pressure like they did a season ago. The Suns at +170 is one of the safer bets that you can make.

Utah Jazz (+550)

The Jazz are very much like the Sixers of the Western Conference. They seem to always find a way to hang around and surprise some people but haven’t managed to put it all together when it has mattered just yet. The Jazz are in 4th place in a tough Western Conference and have a record of 36-22. They surely have an uphill battle to chase the Suns, Warriors, and Grizzlies but it’s definitely doable.

Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have been mainstays in the Jazz lineup and have taken them to where they are today. It seems like the Jazz have some needs that they should address in the buyout market, but a run at first place for the defending Western Conference champions shouldn’t be out of the question. The Jazz have been there and done that and have the sixth easiest schedule remaining in the NBA according to Tankathon. If the Jazz can cover the 12.5 games that they are behind, it has to start now. They must get off to a hot after the break and maintain it all the way into the postseason.

Denver Nuggets/Memphis Grizzlies (+1700)

The Nuggets and Grizzlies are both in tough spots. These basketball teams have some good talent but it’s just not enough to compete with the Suns and the Warriors. The Grizzlies are in third place with a 41-20 record thanks to an unbelievable campaign from Ja Morant thus far. The Grizzlies are in sixth place with a record of 34-25. Any team with Nikola Jokic or Ja Morant should warrant a chance for their team to win their conference, but it doesn’t look like this will be the year for either of them. While It’s not likely either of these two teams find a way to climb the latter to finish in first place, but who knows crazier things have happened. Don’t waste your money at (+1700).

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Los Angeles Lakers (+1900)

The Lakers are not going to win the West… are they? It’s not likely, but any team with LeBron James should not be counted out until the final whistle has blown. James is the only reason that the Lakers have the fifth best odds to win the Western Conference despite being in ninth place with a 27-31 record. It has been the same old story with the Lakers this season. Anthony Davis has struggled to stay healthy and Russell Westbrook has been horrendous after the initial hype to begin the season. James has figured out a way to keep the Lakers in the mix but this season it just hasn’t happened. James has missed significant time this season for really the first time in his career. Pair that with Davis and Westbrook’s inefficiencies and that is why the Lakers are so far down in the Western Conference. With all that being said, the Lakers have the third easiest schedule remaining, and the easiest in the Western Conference. It could set up for the Lakers to make an interesting push.

It’s probably not going to happen, but there are certain rules in sports betting. Never count out Tom Brady and never count out LeBron James. The Lakers at (+1900) might be worth throwing $5 with Bovada strictly because of that rule alone, but don’t expect anything to come of it.

As the NBA kicks off its second half of the season, it looks like it will come down to the wire which is definitely a welcomed sight to see. It was hard to watch the NBA regular season knowing that at the end the Cavaliers would win the East and the Warriors would win the West. We have a whole new crop of good teams ready to take their shot at the title and all of that begins now as they begin the adventure to the playoffs.