Are the Los Angeles Clippers realistic NBA championship contenders now that All-Star Paul George is back from his long-term injury? Oddsmakers don’t think so as the Clips are +4000 long shots to win their first title – they have yet to even reach the NBA Finals in their existence.

We take a look at the latest and updated 2022 NBA Championship odds, along with some more expert betting predictions before the post-season arrives.

Odds to Win the 2022 NBA Championship

*As of March 30th, 2022

• Phoenix Suns +310
• Brooklyn Nets +550
• Milwaukee Bucks +600
• Golden State Warriors +650
• Philadelphia 76ers +750
• Miami Heat +1100
• Boston Celtics +1100
• Utah Jazz +1700
• Memphis Grizzlies +1700
• Denver Nuggets +2315
• Dallas Mavericks +2800
• Los Angeles Lakers +5000
• Chicago Bulls +5000
• Los Angeles Clippers +5000
• Toronto Raptors +5000
• Minnesota Timberwolves +6000
• Cleveland Cavaliers +6000
• Atlanta Hawks +10000
• Charlotte Hornets +12500
• San Antonio Spurs +20000
• New Orleans Pelicans +20000
• New York Knicks +200000
• Portland Trail Blazers +400000
• Washington Wizards +400000
• Sacramento Kings +400000

Who are the Favorites to Win the 2022 NBA Championship?

The Phoenix Suns remain +290 favorites to win their first title and they already have wrapped up the NBA’s best record and top seed throughout the playoffs. They really have no reason to care the rest of the regular season. It’s the third time in franchise history the Suns have claimed the NBA’s best record. The Suns won the Pacific Division title for the second-straight season and the 8th time in franchise history.

Phoenix is ranked 2nd in offensive rating this season (115.0), 2nd in defensive rating (106.6) and 1st in net rating (+8.5), the only team in the league to rank in the top-three in all three categories. Since advanced ratings began being tracked during the 1996-97 season, only the 2014-15 and 2016-17 Golden State Warriors have finished in the top-three in offensive, defensive and net rating for a season. In both of those seasons, the Warriors went on to win the NBA Finals.

Golden State is +650 for this season but has to get Steph Curry back from injury to have a remote chance. Golden State is 45-19 with Curry on the floor this year good for a 58-win pace that likely would be good enough for the No. 2 seed in the West. The Dubs are 3-9 without him, which would be good for a 20-win pace – that would tie the Warriors with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets for worst in the NBA.

Are the Los Angeles Clippers a Team to Keep an Eye Out For?

George hadn’t played since Dec. 22 due to torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, one that most players would have had surgically repaired – which would have ended their season. George opted for rest to try and make it back. He did in style on Tuesday as the Clippers rallied from a 25-point home deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 121-115.

George finished with 34 points, six assists and four steals. He hit 5 of 7 shots, including 3 of 4 3-pointers, in the third quarter, when he erupted for 20 of his points to help the Clippers erase a 25-point deficit with 8:07 remaining in the frame. He made 6 of 9 3-pointers for the game. The 34 points were the most ever by a player who had missed his team’s previous 40-plus games within one season.

“It’s in the 90 percentile,” George said of how strong his elbow is after letting it heal for much of the past three months. “But it’s still part of the progression. The ligament will get stronger with the stress put on it … but I feel good. It’s no pain; there’s nothing of that sort. It’s more so just that muscle and my forearm getting stronger.”

The Clippers have made a habit of digging double-digit holes. It was the 12th time the Clippers have come back from at least 13 down to win this season and the fourth time they’ve rallied by at least 24 down to win. Both those marks lead the league.

The Clippers have been a solid team all season despite Kawhi Leonard not playing a single game and George playing in just 27 of them. They aren’t a title team, though, unless Kawhi gets back. Leonard has been working hard and looks to be in good shape, but the Clippers will be extra cautious with their franchise star. If they make it out of the play-in tournament, however, Leonard would just need clearance from the medical staff to play again. And that door has been left open.

Are the Lakers still a Threat to Win the 2022 NBA Championship?

The other Los Angeles team, the Lakers, is +5000 to win a championship – and they may not even make the Western Conference play-in tournament. As things stand, they would miss out via tiebreaker against the San Antonio Spurs.

Looking ahead to the final stretch, the Lakers have gone 4-10 against their six remaining opponents. (They play the Denver Nuggets twice.) The Spurs are 5-11 versus their six remaining foes. (San Antonio plays the Portland Trail Blazers twice.) There is possible good news on the way for the Lakers as Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined since Feb. 16, is targeting a return by Friday at home against the West No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.