NBA Futures: Best Bets to Win Western Conference (2022)
NBA All-Star Weekend has come and gone in the 2021-22 NBA season as teams are now solely focused on making a run in their respective conference standings. In the West, the Suns continue to create separation now a full 6.5 games ahead of the Warriors for the top seed.
With a log jam at the bottom with seven teams within three games of each other for the play-in tournament, I have my eye on two teams in the middle that I think still offer some value to win the West. Let’s dive in.
Check out our consensus and the odds at each sportsbook for NBA Champion >>
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Utah Jazz (+550)
It’s seemingly now or never for the Jazz, as star guard Donovan Mitchell has leaked some not-so-subtle hints he might want to play in a bigger market sooner rather than later. Prior to a loss to the Lakers right before the break, the Jazz swept a six-game homestand in one of the better stretches of their season at just the right time.
The Jazz is currently sitting in the #4 seed averaging 113.7 points per game, tied for 2nd in the West just behind the Grizzlies’ 113.8. Taking their offensive prowess a step further, the Jazz also ranks #1 in the league in offensive efficiency. While the defensive end certainly causes concern, they have been playing large stretches without former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, which shouldn’t be an issue down the stretch.
If Gobert and Mitchell can stay healthy, the Jazz should get a favorable matchup in round 1, and one of the most experienced rosters in the West, anything can happen.
Denver Nuggets (+1700)
Averaging 25.8 points and 14.3 rebounds per game in February, Nikola Jokic is starting to play MVP-level basketball once again for a Nuggets team always on the brink. With his play in addition to the continued improvements from Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets won five of six to close out the break and enter the home stretch sitting firmly in the 7th seed.
All of this production, of course, without two of their best players in Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr (back), who are likely to return before the end of the regular season. If they can both get into game shape in time for the postseason, this Nuggets team will not only be dangerous but one of the most well-rested units in the West.
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