We’re still in the NBA preseason, so with the intensity now stepping up another notch, it’s time to find some good preseason NBA picks.
The betting favorites for the NBA Championship 2021/22 is the Brooklyn Nets, and they are in action again this weekend.
The Nets are just +220 to win the Championship. They are followed by Los Angeles Lakers at +450, and Milwaukee Bucks at +800.
| NBA Championship 2021/22 Winner Betting |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | +220 | +200 |
| LA Lakers | +450 | +400 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +800 | +750 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1300 | +1200 |
| Utah Jazz | +1400 | +1300 |
| Phoenix Suns | +1400 | +1500 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1700 | +1800 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +2000 | +2000 |
As well as being the outright winner betting favorites, Brooklyn Nets are also +100 favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
In short, a lot is expected of Steve Nash’s team this season.
On Friday, they come up against Milwaukee Bucks at the Barclays Center in New York. This is their latest preseason contest, and it’s a chance to lay down another market against a title rival.
The sportsbooks all have Brooklyn as their betting favorites.
The Nets are -200 to win tonight, with the Bucks being the outsiders at +166.
The spread on the handicap is +4.5 points in favor of the Bucks. Both teams are -110 in this market.
So far in their preseason, the Nets have already defeated LA Lakers 123 points to 97.
Going into the 4th quarter, the Nets only had a 3 points lead, but in a crushing display they outscored the Lakers 39 points to 16 in the final phase to comfortably beat the hosts.
Let’s not forget LA Lakers are second favorites behind Brooklyn to be NBA Champions this season!
As for Milwaukee, they were defeated 87 points to 77 by the Memphis Grizzlies in their last match.
Due to an untimely intervention from a fire alarm, the match finished at the end of the third quarter.
It was decided that in the interests of player safety not to come back to finish the match later in the evening.
As a result, we don’t know how the Bucks would have fared in what was shaping up to be an exciting final quarter.
Regardless of Wednesday’s outcome, I expect the Bucks to step it up in this match against the Nets.
But the big difference between these two teams at the moment is that Brooklyn seems ready for the regulation season now. While the Bucks look a week or so behind in their preparation.
This all points to a win for Brooklyn Nets. And at -4.5 on the handicap, they are my betting pick to win this encounter.
Also in preseason action is the Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers. The two meet at the Chase Center in what is a trial run of their opening match of the regular season.
The Warriors are +118 to win from scratch with BetUS. LA Lakers are -140 to win with the top sportsbooks.
Those odds seem to be based on team potential, rather than current team form. This is the problem with the LA Lakers.
On the handicap market, the spread is set at +2.5 points in favor of the Warriors.
Again, a spread set on potential. But it’s understandable because if the Lakers turn up and play to their potential, they will probably win.
We find ourselves in the position where we are choosing a pick based on which version of the Lakers turns up!
The Warriors are coming into this match off the back of two preseason wins. While the Lakers have lost both of their warm-up fixtures so far.
For the Warriors, Steph Curry managed 14 points from his 15 minutes played against the Denver Nuggets. While Jordon Poole spent more time on the court and weighed in with 17 points.
Poole looks set to continue in the Guard spot until Klay Thompson returns, and a lot of what’s gone right for the Warriors is down to Poole’s impressive display.
As for LA Lakers, they have rested Russell Westbrook and LeBron James in recent matches, and it remains to be seen if they will get a run out at the Chase Center.
In their absence, Malik Monk has been outstanding. And he is now set to start in the shooting guard position.
I still don’t think that is going to be enough for the Lakers to win this one.
Golden State seems to have a more settled rotation system, and most of the players on their roster have had a good run out.
The Lakers don’t seem up that level yet. But if the Lakers pick their star names and have upped their level since their last outing, I think this might be a closely fought contest.
So for this match, I’m going to take the Golden State Warriors to win on the handicap.
