The 2021/2022 NBA season started on a celebratory note and ended with the Golden State Warriors being champions. This was the NBA’s 75th season, and teams added the NBA logo to their courts and merchandise in commemoration. COVID might have diminished the length of the previous season, but the NBA reverted in its milestone season. Fans did not disappoint, flocking in droves to see their on-court heroes after a while.
Defending champions Bucks, expected to improve on their previous season’s success, did well in keeping the team’s core. This offset many rosters and made many teams scramble to bump their rosters accordingly. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook and some, and the Bulls responded accordingly, taking on Ball and DeRozan. Many other teams decided against bulking up and decided to hold on.
COVID wasn’t done with the NBA, though. Two options were suggested to maintain normal COVID levels: vaccination test results or on-site vaccination. Only four teams chose on-site vaccination.
Beginning the Season
And then the season started. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors took off early, establishing themselves as the top seed in the West. Curry continued where he stopped last season, upending 3-pointer records from city to city.
Budding rookies Wiggins and Poole kept up the charge in the absence of Klay Thompson, battling injuries. Jazz, the Suns, and The Grizzlies also showed character and strength, putting up a sizzling battle in the Western Conference.
On the Eastern seaboard, the Bucks started strongly, with the Nets giving stiff and fierce competition. In Irving’s absence, Durant and Harden took up the charge for the Nets. Unfortunately, Durant picked up an injury, leaving only Harden to hold the fort offensively. Harden couldn’t, and the Nets went downhill from there.
Seeding
The Celtics were the 10th seed in the East at the end of the 2021/2022 season. Without warning, they rose in the table, solidifying their position as 2nd seed. The Lakers, expected to build on a strong season, could not do so due to injuries to key players. Hence, it was not surprising they missed the postseason.
The Grizzlies proved a surprise package, with Morant showing why he was once Rookie of the Year. Desmond Bane also showed some consistency and much improvement on the ball. Finally, Nuggets’ Jokic cemented his status as a team carrier, somehow dragging the injury-stricken Nuggets into 6th seed.
Play-ins/Play-offs
In the Play-ins, the Paul George-led Clippers lost to Minnesota in a tense game in the West for the 7th seed. The Pelicans, who had a slow start to the season, held off Spurs and L.A. to take the 8th seed. The East’s Play-ins saw Irving recover from injury early enough to spearhead the Nets’ charge for 7th seed successfully. The Hawks took 8th seed by beating the Cavs and the Hornets.
Then came the playoffs like it is in the NBA parlays. While most results were expected, some teams held their own against their opponents – Pelicans against Suns proving exciting. Doncic proved his All-Star status was a hallmark showing against the Jazz, and the Boston Celtics took the Nets to the cleaners.
Semifinals
The semifinals saw the Celtics continue their rivalry against the Bucks and Miami Heat taking on the 76ers in the East. The West saw Suns face Mavs and Grizzlies against the Warriors. Morant, who had been superb for the Grizzlies all season, got injured, and the Warriors took full advantage. Doncic showed his class against the Suns, passing, scoring, and rebounding to devastating effects, although the Suns took the series all the way.
The Sixers were off par through the series, largely due to Embild getting injured and Harden disappointing. Bucks lost Middleton to injury and suffered loss as a result, as it became too big of a responsibility for Giannis. Through Brown and Tatum, Boston held steady till Game 7 and won out.
Betting Preview
The Warriors are favorites to take home the trophy in the new season with 480 odds. The Celtics follow with 600 odds. Rounding up the top 5 are the Nets (650), Bucks, and Clippers (700). Suns are next with 900, and Heat is 1300 favorites.
76ers, surprise packages, Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Maverick all take odds at 1500. The Lakers are 2000 odds to win, Utah Jazz and Pelicans 4000. The raptors and Timberwolves are odd out at 5000 to round up the first 15.
Other team odds are:
- Hornets +10000
- Hawks +8000
- Trail Blazers +10000
- Cavaliers +10000
- Knicks +20000
- Wizards +30000
- Spurs +30000
- Pacers +30000
- Kings +50000
- Magic +50000
- Thunder +50000
- Rockets +50000
- Pistons +50000
Finals
In the East, Celtics’ Tatum continued his red-hot form as the series was taken to Game 7. Miami’s Butler also showed his quality but could not capitalize as he missed his shot, and Boston held on. Tatum was named East Finals MVP for his performances.
The Mavs were blown away in Games 6 and 7 by Curry, although Poole and Wiggins assisted him. The West saw Doncic square up against Curry and, not surprisingly, Wiggins. Curry took home the West finals MVP.
The NBA Finals were as captivating as expected, with the Celtics taking the lead in Game 1. Despite a solid comeback performance, the Warriors took home Game 2 and lost Game 3. Then Curry stepped in Games 4 to 6, getting some help from Wiggins in Game 5. The Warriors took home the trophy after Game 6, and Curry copped his first-ever Bill Russell Finals MVP award.
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