Opening 2022 NBA Eastern and Western Conference Odds – See Prices on All 30 Teams to Reach the Finals

• The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have opened as heavy favorites to win the East and West
• The Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors are expected to contend for conference crowns
• Scroll down to see the latest odds for all 30 teams in the Association

We’re less than a month removed from Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks putting together the finishing touches on a spectacular title run.

Somehow, that seems a distant look in the rearview mirror.

With the NBA Draft and a pretty intense free agent period done and Summer League already underway, we’re already counting down to who got next.

And if you’re looking at the latest NBA Eastern and Western Conference odds, even though both never even made the this year’s Final Four, the books are projecting a Nets-Lakers Finals matchup.

Let’s break down the odds in each conference, looking at the favorites, best value bets and chances of the odds moving prior to opening night.

Odds to Win NBA Eastern Conference

Odds as of August 9th at DraftKings

Net Gains in Brooklyn

Give credit to the front office in BK, who somehow found a way to build an even more competent roster around the most talented trio in the NBA.

The only thing that stopped the Nets from hoisting this year’s title was themselves. James Harden hamstring tweak seconds into Round 2 against the Bucks, followed by an ugly ankle sprain suffered by Kyrie Irving in Game 4 of that same series changed the course of a series that Brooklyn was dominating, up 2-0 heading back to Milwaukee.

KEVIN DURANT IS JUST UNGUARDABLE… 🤯

GAME 7 OVERTIME! 🍿pic.twitter.com/MmMRzajpeQ

— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) June 20, 2021

Even then, the Nets were just a Kevin Durant toe on the 3-point line from ousting the Bucks, and changing the course of the season. Alas, his shot forced an OT in Game 7 they eventually lost.

Those three are back, flanked by Joe Harris, an A+ shooter who lost his stroke in the postseason. Blake Griffin returns on a 1-year deal, but reinforcements were also brought in, most notably sharpshooting veteran Patty Mills from the Spurs. Throw in James Johnson for wing depth, and first-round pick Cam Thomas out of LSU and that roster is looking nice. And we haven’t yet mentioned last season’s uncovered gems Nic Claxton, Bruce Brown and Alize Johnson.

Even with spare parts dotting this roster, Durant-Harden-Irving was 50 wins easy.

Fear the Deer

Even with Brooklyn the unquestioned favorite, they’ll likely have to oust the defending NBA champs somewhere in the East playoffs to get to the Finals.

That’s a lot harder now, considering the Bucks have gotten over the hump, and developed a playing style built to grind teams down in the postseason.

Leading the @Bucks to their first Championship since 1971… relive Giannis Antetokounmpo's TOP 10 PLAYS from the NBA Finals! pic.twitter.com/HpmxLeot6I

— NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2021

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been unlocked as the nimble, point-forward version of Shaq, who feasts on the fast break and scores at will on the inside on the simplest low post setups. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday provide the perimeter punch, while big bodies like Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis keep the glass advantage in Milwaukee’s favor.

Losing PJ Tucker hurts somewhat, but much of the band is intact, and fringe pickups Grayson Allen (via trade) and Rodney Hood (free agent) should help cover that void with Pat Connaughton and the eventual return of Donte DiVincenzo.

Others to Consider

If you’re looking for value, the sweet spot lurks around the 5-8 range. Miami (+1300) has vets on vets on vets, with Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris on board to support Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. After a conference finals run, can Trae Young and the Hawks (+1600) take the next step?

This was the tweet that the NBA Central account tweeted about 10 mins ago before deleting it regarding a Lillard to Raptors trade. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/CWruxfGEsm

— BMDinTDOT (@BMDinTDOT) August 3, 2021

If you’re looking for deeper cuts, consider that the biggest names that haven’t changed teams yet have been linked to the Eastern Conference. Sprinkling a little on the Toronto Raptors (+5000) or New York Knicks (+3500) sounds crazy, but not if Dame Lillard lands at either locale. Ditto Ben Simmons, who’s been rumored to be on the Raptors’ radar — assuming Daryl Morey’s has come down from his insane-level asks prior to the NBA Draft.

In the end, though, it’s easy to go vanilla.

The pick: Nets (+100)

Odds to Win NBA Western Conference

Lakers Reloaded

Anyone watching the Lakers pull the Russell Westbrook deal instead of the Buddy Hield trade had to be questioning GM Rob Pelinka.

But his subsequent moves have put together a complete roster, on paper already a better fit than last year’s team.

Lakers Big 3 vs rest of roster contract breakdown is wild

(via @statline_) pic.twitter.com/qsnvboFbBz

— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) August 9, 2021

Westbrook adds mercurial effort, albeit with shaky shooting. LA has to be banking on the fact that Russ’ title window is closing, and playing nice with the Lakers might be the only way to keep that open.

LA is offering the most shooting ever in the James-Davis era, with Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk, Wayne Ellington, Kendrick Nunn and Kent Bazemore all above average to elite-level shooting threats. Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard also run it back, making this a team a clear title contender, but bordering on too old to compete.

Here’s the dirty secret, though: LeBron and AD, no matter who else was around them, is a favorite to win the West.

Rest of the West

Perhaps it’s optimism, or oddsmakers are really placing real value on Klay Thompson’s return, but the Warriors sit second behind the Lakers in the West odds. That, and Steph Curry is coming off one of the truly remarkable seasons of his illustrious career. The rest of the roster finally looks NBA-level, with the likes of Otto Porter and Nemanja Bjelica  allowing rookies Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to acclimatize without too much pressure.

Steph Curry’s 62 point game was crazy 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/bPMi9pN1sd

— Depressed Warriors Fan (@GoIdenState) August 8, 2021

No disrespect to the Suns, who made a remarkable Finals run, or the Utah Jazz, who rocked the best record in the NBA regular season, but there are exceptional value picks just past them.

The first is the LA Clippers (+900), who run it back with the same roster while Kawhi Leonard recovers from ACL surgery. It was widely assumed free agents Nic Batum and Reggie Jackson would find greener pastures, but both came back on extremely fair deals. If Leonard can get back for the final 20 games of the regular season, this team is as good as any in the West, and a real title threat.

Luka Doncic has agreed to a five-year, $207 million supermax rookie contract extension, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/VP4JIhN6Wp

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 9, 2021

And what about the Dallas Mavericks (+1300), who will have all-world wunderkid Luka Doncic? He’s already been pegged next year’s MVP favorite, signed a massive contract extension and nearly carried Slovenia to a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They didn’t make many moves, but re-signing Tim Hardaway Jr and signing Reggie Bullock offers more perimeter pop to feed off Luka’s passing.

Still, assuming good health, that Lakers team is built to win now.

The pick: Lakers (+190)