NBA 2021-22 Playoffs Betting Update: Favorites, Dark Horses and Disappointments So Far

As we’ve passed the halfway mark of the NBA season, it’s time to start looking forward to the playoffs. As the trade deadline approaches, we’re starting to hear the rumors about which teams will be looking to make a splash and others that are in selling mode. Let’s take a look at some teams that we think will be title contenders, a dark horse or two, and a couple that will disappoint their fans so you can plan your bets against the NBA Playoffs odds.

NBA Playoff Breakdown

The Favorites

In the Eastern Conference, it’s hard to ignore the Brooklyn Nets. Now that Kyrie Irving is back, they are the team to beat. When Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden are all at full strength, it’s going to be awfully hard to beat them. As long as they can defend at a high enough level, the Nets should be the team to come out of the East.

In the Western Conference, we have two favorites. Those are the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns will be looking to return to the Finals for a second straight year. They’re playing better than they did last season, so look out for them.

As for the Warriors, now that Klay Thompson is back, the Warriors look like their old selves. Between Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Thompson, and their surrounding cast, this team looks like a title contender.

Dark Horses

In the East, we have two teams that we think can shock everyone and make a long playoff run. The first one is the Miami Heat. They’re currently sitting in the third spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ve done this with Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry missing numerous games due to injury. This team is the top defensive team in the league, and when they’re healthy, they’ll be a big threat.

The other team in the East to watch is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Darius Garland has had a great season, Jarrett Allen is a huge scoring threat, and rookie Evan Mobley has played well this season. This team can pose matchup issues for their opposition and can mix and match as well.

In the West, the Memphis Grizzlies are shocking everyone. They’ve climbed up the standings and are playing at a high level. Ja Morant is playing at an all-time high, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are great complementary pieces. This team is going to be scary come playoff time.

Disappointments

How can we not lead this off with the Los Angeles Lakers? Anthony Davis has missed a lot of games, but even when he was playing, the Lakers weren’t playing well. The Big 3 of LeBron James, Davis, and Russell Westbrook hasn’t been what the Lakers thought they would be. Westbrook has been bad, and the aging Lakers roster hasn’t been much better. This team can’t defend, and that could cost them. Even with James playing well, this team just doesn’t have it. They’ll try to make a move at the deadline, but they don’t have many players left with trade value.

In the East, the Boston Celtics have been a major disappointment. Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown just can’t seem to get things figured out. We’re looking for the Celtics to do something big at the trade deadline. Could one of these two have a new home at the deadline?