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The 2021-22 NBA season is fast approaching and as teams make their final preparations before the start of the season on October 19 it’s time for bettors to look ahead at value bets to make the 2022 NBA playoffs.
While teams like the Nets, Bucks, Suns, and Lakers are virtual locks to play in the postseason this year, there are a handful of teams on the bubble. Then, there are these three that give bettors plus-money value. That’s why you should bet on these three teams to make the 2022 NBA playoffs.
Charlotte Hornets To Make 2022 NBA Playoffs
Odds to Make the 2022 NBA Playoffs: +180
What’s not to like about the Hornets? There’s an NBA Rookie of the Year in LaMelo Ball who will be even better in Year 2. There is experience with Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward. Miles Bridges averaged 13 points and six rebounds a game last year and he’s likely to improve upon those numbers in 2021-22.
Charlotte added future star James Bouknight with the 11th pick in the draft and added depth with the free agent acquisitions of Ish Smith, Mason Plumlee, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
One of the biggest bonuses for the Hornets is that they play in the Southeast Division. That means plenty of games against Orlando and Washington as well as other conference games against Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto.
Last season, the Hornets finished 10th in the East with 33 wins. There is no question they can surpass that win total this season which would make them a true playoff contender.
New Orleans Pelicans To Make 2022 NBA Playoffs
Odds to Make the 2022 NBA Playoffs: +220
The Pelicans disappointed last year finishing 11th in the West and out of the play-in tournament. Many of New Orleans issues had to do with injuries, especially those to Zion Williamson. With Williamson continuing to develop, the Pelicans are another team that should win more games than they did last year.
Losing Lonzo Ball hurt, but Brandon Ingram, an improved Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jaxson Hayes make the Pelicans a legitimate threat to not just make the play-in tournament, but to earn a playoff berth outright.
Washington Wizards To Make 2022 NBA Playoffs
Odds to Make the 2022 NBA Playoffs: +550
The Wizards earned the eighth seed in the East last year, but the focus is on the Russell Westbrook trade to the Lakers. While teams focus on what the Wizards don’t have, they should pay attention to the guy who could be the NBA’s leading scorer in 2021-22 – Bradley Beal.
Beal averaged 31.3 points per game last year and was as high as 36 at one point. Westbrook came along and took some of the scoring load off of Beal, but now that he is gone that may change. There is still a strong core around Beal.
The Wizards went out and brought in guys like Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Aaron Holiday. Don’t forget about existing players like Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertrans, and last year’s top pick Deni Avdija.
While Toronto is given +250 odds to make the postseason, the loss of Kyle Lowry will simply be too much. The higher payout plus having Beal surrounded by a wealth of role players make the Wizards the better bet to make the 2022 NBA playoffs.
Get our 2022 NBA Eastern Conference picks.
