Updated NBA Championship Odds: Suns Become Title Favorite After Warriors Lose Game 2 vs Memphis

• The Phoenix Suns have regained top spot in the latest NBA Championship odds
• Golden State lost Game 2 to Memphis, resulting in Phoenix becoming the new favorites 
• Read below for updated NBA title odds and analysis

The Phoenix Suns are once again atop NBA Championship odds. Golden State had replaced Phoenix as favorites back on April, 22nd following news of Devin Booker’s hamstring injury. Booker’s return in Game 6 against the Pelicans saw the Suns’ odds shorten again, and they tied the Dubs at the top of the market after hammering the Mavericks in their series opener.

Golden State fell in a close game to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 on Tuesday night, resulting in the Suns becoming favorites once again. There has been fluctuation in the Dubs’ title odds throughout the playoffs, and they remain in at +300 at Caesars even after losing to the Grizz. The Gary Payton II injury is potentially a blow if he’s ruled out long-term, too.

2022 NBA Championship Odds

Odds as of May 4 at Caesars Sportsbook

Memphis have shortened considerably to +1600, having been as far out as +2500 heading into Game 2.

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Suns & Warriors on a Collision Course

The Suns might have only beaten Dallas by seven points in Game 1, but that tells just part of the story. Phoenix was completely dominant, looking like the juggernaut that marched to 64 regular season wins. They are as short as -600 to win the series at Caesars as a result.

Golden State got a Game 1 win even after Draymond Green’s questionable ejection. Klay Thompson and Steph Curry both dealt with some foul trouble, too. Their series with Memphis heads to San Francisco tied at one win apiece, but the Grizz needed a supernova, 47-point performance from Ja Morant to take Game 2. Even then, it was close, and there is ongoing concern about the health of Desmond Bane, who has made just five of his 17 field goals through two games.

Ja Morant was on his Grizzly in Game 2 🐻

He tied his playoff career high in points. pic.twitter.com/XE3e1iVhLc

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 4, 2022

Like Phoenix, the Warriors are heavy favorites to make it to the Conference Finals, and understandably so. Steve Kerr can expect much better offensive production from Klay Thompson through the rest of this series, and the Dubs will be hopeful of a more favorable whistle when returning to The Bay. It feels like Memphis needs a lot to go their way to win games, and Morant averaging 31 field goals attempt per game in such a physical series is a huge ask.

Both Teams Face Challenges

Both Dallas and Memphis have the star power to disrupt a Warriors and Suns Conference Finals. Just like Morant needs Bane for support, though, Luka Doncic needs more from Jalen Brunson, who had more shots than points in Game 1.

Most career PPG in the playoffs:

33.4 — Michael Jordan
33.4 — Luka Doncic

They’re the only two averaging 30+. pic.twitter.com/MOlhhHkTLO

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 3, 2022

At this early stage of both series, Memphis feels like the bigger threat to cause an upset, but neither path will be straight-forward. Doncic is probably going to steal a game or two on his own – we’ve seen what he can do in the postseason against even the best opponents.

The Grizz are going to play hard until the last possession, and they regain homecourt if they can take one game in north California. Who knows what Morant has in store in Games 3 and 4.

Balance of Power in the West

The trouble for any team in the Western Conference this postseason was having to defeat Golden State and Phoenix. A Dallas versus Memphis Conference Finals is incredibly unlikely at this point, meaning if either of them can cause a second round upset, they will have to go again in the next round.

That's the most consecutive such games in franchise postseason history. (via @Suns) pic.twitter.com/5K5cmQdwLj

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 3, 2022

It doesn’t seem like either team has quite enough to do that. Memphis’ title odds will obviously plummet if they can take either of the next two on the road, but there’s understandably been skepticism of them as a title candidate throughout this season.

Barring any other key injuries, Phoenix looks set to retain favorites status into the next round. As these playoffs have shown, however, that can change so quickly, particularly if the Mavericks bounce back in a big way in Game 2.