Looking At The Favorite NBA Teams To Reach The Playoffs This Year

With the regular season finally on, how about some predictions for the NBA Playoffs 2022-23? 

The Golden State Warriors have won the NBA title four times in the last eight years. With their core squad back, they are overwhelming favorites to win again.

That said, there are plenty of other stories now that everything has mostly cooled down with the start of the season. Can the Boston Celtics retain their position as the top team in the East after all of their drama? Following their marquee signing of Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers could be in shape to challenge that. The Los Angeles Lakers hope to regain form following a difficult season last year.

Below are our NBA playoff predictions for the 2022-23 season.

Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs

Following their exit from the Eastern Conference last season, the Celtics’ signings of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari seem to have set them up for a return trip. Gallinari, who sustained a ruptured ACL over the summer, will miss the whole 2022-23 season. Meanwhile, Ime Udoka, the team’s head coach, has been banned for the 2022-23 season. It remains to be seen how this will affect Boston. The situation did not seem to affect the team in any way during the preseason, and you can confidently place them as online sports betting Canada favorites to go all the way.

The absence of Khris Middleton had a significant influence on Milwaukee in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. We’re talking about a 20-point scorer who can also shoot three-and-D. With Middleton sidelined, the Bucks had to depend on Jrue Holiday to fill the void left by Giannis Antetokounmpo. That is not an ideal situation. Middleton is also out for at least the opening couple weeks of the season after wrist surgery.

The reigning conference runner-ups, the Miami Heat, were hoping to make a huge statement this summer. This includes being linked in contract talks to the experienced pair of Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell. Durant was eventually taken off the market, while Mitchell moved to Cleveland.

For the time being, Miami is ranked third in the East due to a lack of a real No. 2 option behind the great Jimmy Butler. In the conference finals versus Boston, Bam Adebayo was Heat’s second-leading scorer after Butler, scoring 15 points per game. Tyler Herro, who signed a lucrative deal before the start of the season, could be the No. 2 option. He will be key in this situation.

Following the blockbuster deal for star guard Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers are suddenly one of the most talented teams in the NBA. Cleveland currently boasts three All-Stars under 25, including reigning NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up Evan Mobley.

Western Conference NBA Playoffs

Golden State may suffer as a result of the departures of Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II from last season’s title team. The team seems to be counting on Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga to take the burden. Both were outstanding as rookies and have the potential to take the next step in 2022-23. The arrivals of Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green will also contribute in terms of depth. However, the latest Draymond Green issue calls into question this team’s mindset as it approaches Opening Night.

But let’s be clear about something. As long as Stephen Curry is playing well, Andrew Wiggins continues to progress, and Klay Thompson finds his rhythm, the Warriors will be the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA title again in 2022-23. The odds are for sure in their favor and if you have bonus codes to spare then they would be the team to use them on. 

Behind Golden State in the Western Conference, things get interesting. With Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray back from injury, we’re going with the Denver Nuggets as the No. 2 team. Adding them to the mix and two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic propels the Nuggets to legitimate title challenger status.