Anyone who has engaged in online NBA betting this season knows how much parity the league includes right now. No fewer than eight teams have worthwhile betting odds to win the 2022 NBA Finals, and there are a handful more that loom as intriguing dark horses.
While we've already analyzed many of the most enticing options, our latest NBA picks come to a long-delayed, not-yet-mainstream conclusion: The 2021-22 Miami Heat are juggernauts, and they're a real threat to win it all.
Before going any further, let's take a look at the latest NBA betting odds for all of the action on Tuesday, February 15:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -120 | +102 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Miami Heat | -158 | +134 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -116 | -102 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Memphis Grizzlies | -162 | +136 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -720 | +520 | Indiana Pacers |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -290 | +235 | Charlotte Hornets |
| Phoenix Suns | -900 | +610 | LA Clippers |
Always make sure to double-check these betting odds on the NBA prior to settling on any NBA picks. All NBA betting lines are subject to change right up until the opening tip. And in order to maximize betting on the NBA, it's a good idea to pore over our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. Reading these will inevitably point you toward the best NBA betting sites in 2022.
Miami Sends Another Message with Win Over Dallas
It truly is incredible what the Heat have done this season. Despite dealing with more injuries and COVID-19-related absences than most squads, they have turned in a top-seven offense and defense en route to posting the NBA's fourth-best differential per 100 possessions.
This is neither luck nor an accident. The Heat have a little bit of everything: depth, star power, shooting, switchable defense, the whole nine. Their half-court offense can sputter at points, but the issues there are overblown.
Granted, Miami is still liable to suffer letdowns on a night-to-night basis. We don't see that happening against the Dallas Mavericks.
Luka Doncic has been playing spectacular basketball of late, but the Mavericks' offense lacks consistent rim pressure, and we're not quite sure how their defense will hold up after they traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards.
OSB Prediction: Miami Heat (-158)
Boston Steals One from Shorthanded Philadelphia
After registering as one of the NBA's biggest disappointments through the first half of the season or so, the Boston Celtics have since turned on the jets. Jayson Tatum is spearheading what's become a more dangerous offense, and the addition of Derrick White at the trade deadline is really going to soup up their defense.
Though the Philadelphia 76ers can hang with the Celtics at full strength, they're currently anything but. James Harden won't make his debut until after the All-Star break, and the Sixers are now without Seth Curry after dealing him to Brooklyn as part of the Harden trade.
Joel Embiid is of course good enough to win a game on his own. But given the way Boston has been playing, he needs more help than he currently has.
OSB Prediction: Boston Celtics (-120)
Atlanta Grinds Out Win Against Cleveland
John Collins' absence looms large for the Atlanta Hawks, particularly against a Cleveland Cavaliers team with plenty of size that prefers to play frenetic defense.
Still, the Hawks have quietly figured some things out over the past couple of weeks. Their defense is better on the perimeter thanks to De'Andre Hunter's return, and more than that, the Cavs don't have a ready-made answer, at either end, to Trae Young's shot-making.
Oddsmakers have billed the Cavs as a slight favorite (-116), but we're comfortable going the other way.
OSB Prediction: Atlanta Hawks (-102)
Memphis Dispatches New-Look Pelicans
It's time to start thinking about the Memphis Grizzlies as contenders. Ja Morant has emerged as an MVP candidate, their transition offense is dynamite, and they've cobbled together one of the most efficient defenses in recent months.
Granted, we don't even need to go into that much detail for this game. Not only are the New Orleans Pelicans trying to incorporate a major new piece in CJ McCollum, but they're playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Memphis should be able to win pretty easily.
OSB Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies (-162)
Phoenix Makes Easy Work of LA Clippers
Props to the LA Clippers for remaining a scrappy defensive faction in the absence of their three best players. They have remained in the West's playoff hunt while shorthanded and are coming off a spirited victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
Going up against the Phoenix Suns is a different beast altogether, though. The Suns have been the NBA's best team by a laughably large margin this season, dethroning everyone from sub-.500 units to those considered contenders. They should be able to make mincemeat out of the Clippers, a team that can struggle to score on their best nights.
OSB Prediction: Phoenix Suns (-900)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NBA betting:
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