Updated NBA Championship Odds: Suns Continue To Set Pace

The Phoenix Suns have never won an NBA title but they are going to finish with the best regular-season record in the NBA and are +325 favorites to win it all – remember, the team is currently without All-Star point guard Chris Paul, but he’s expected back by the postseason at the latest. Check back for NBA odds.

The Suns have beaten every team in the NBA at least once this season, the first time doing so since the 2006-07 season. Phoenix ranks 3rd in offensive rating this season (114.5), 2nd in defensive rating (106.0) and 1st in net rating (+8.5) this season, the only team to rank in the top-5 in all 3 categories. They became the first team in the league to clinch a berth in this year’s playoffs with a win in Miami on 3/9. The Suns franchise record for wins in a season is 62 (1992-93 and 2004-05 season) and that’s in jeopardy. Phoenix has 10 games this season by 25+ points, tied with Memphis for the most in the league and 1 shy of matching the franchise record (1989-90).

The Suns are next in action Wednesday at Minnesota. Devin Booker scored 43 points vs. Minnesota last season on Feb. 28, 2021, the most points by a Suns player vs. the Timberwolves. The Suns are 12-8 in the last 20 meetings in the series when playing at Target Center. The Suns won the first 25 meetings in series history, their longest winning streak against a single team in franchise history.

The Golden State Warriors are next at +550 but remain without superstar Steph Curry. He suffered a foot sprain last Wednesday against Boston and could miss the rest of the regular season but should be back for the playoffs. Golden State without Curry is likely to finish with the third-best record in the West.

In the last three seasons, the Warriors have an 18-58 record in games without Curry (61-124, all-time). The trio of Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green played just 11 minutes together in three games this season because of injuries.

The team was hoping to soon see the season debut of center and 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, but now his season is in jeopardy. He hasn’t played due to knee surgery and had a setback with some swelling over the weekend. There is no clear timetable as to when he will be able to return to team activities.

Coach Steve Kerr said the team has not discussed the idea of shutting Wiseman down for the season, but with just 11 regular-season games to go, they are running out of time to get him on the court.

“We can’t make a decision based on the schedule,” Kerr said. “We can’t make decisions based on the playoffs. Every decision should be made around James’ career and his future.”

The Warriors have the third-best defensive rating (106.1), trailing only Boston (105.4) and Phoenix (106.0). Golden State has the 12thbest offensive rating (112.1) this season.

The Warriors have defeated all 29 NBA teams this season, joining the Phoenix Suns as the only teams to do so. The Dubs have done this 29 times total, including 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17. Before that, it hadn’t happened since 1991-92. The Warriors have a 9-7 record against the Top 4 teams in each conference (5-4 vs. West, 4-3 vs. East). Breakdown: WEST: Phoenix (2-1), Memphis (1-2), and Utah (2-1); EAST: Boston (1-1), Miami (1-0), Milwaukee (1-1), Philadelphia (1-1).

Perhaps the best value right now to win it all? Boston at +1200. The Celtics have been the East’s best team since the calendar flipped to 2022. Jayson Tatum is currently third in the NBA in points scored this season while also being third in the NBA in total points scored during fourth quarters this season. Marcus Smart is ranked sixth in the NBA in steals per game and is fifth in the league in total steals.

A Suns-Celtics final seems quite possible. The teams split two regular-season meetings. The last played on Dec. 31 Boston and the Celtics won 123-108. Jaylen Brown and Smart each scored 24 points. The Celtics were without Tatum due to COVID protocols. The Suns were without starters Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder in protocols but did have Paul then. He finished with 14 points and eight assists.