With the NBA season heating up, many new and old Western Conference favorites are either rounding into form or losing steam. With the season being one of the longer ones in all of sports, stamina and staying power is key to maintaining an advantage as the teams approach April.
Below the SBS team takes a closer look at some of the favorites to not only win the regular season title in the Western Conference, but also who matches up well in the playoffs. You might be surprised on who we think will emerge victorious!
The Warriors are back to their winning ways after having a down year last season thanks to its stars being felled by injury (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson). As of November 27th, the ‘Dubs are the leaders in the West (17-2) and have been blitzing opponents by an average of almost 14 points per game. Spearheaded by the usual suspects of Curry (28.4 ppg) and forward Draymond Green (eight rebounds per game), Golden State has staked its claim back to the throne again. If the Warriors can stay healthy through the season, they have an excellent shot of making another run at an NBA title.
Currently the frontrunner in the Northwest Division, the Jazz have a very well-built roster that can pose headaches for any opponent. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell is the main offensive threat with nearly 23 points per game and a dynamo with the ball in his hands. Center Rudy Gobert is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019, and 2021) and a powerful disruptor in the paint. For Utah to win its first conference title since the days of John Stockton and Karl Malone, they will need their defense to continue improving and lock down the other high-flying stars of the west on a consistent basis.
Behind the star-studded trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westrbook (also don’t forget Carmelo Anthony), the Lakers have had an inconsistent year thus far. Though Los Angeles was touted in the offseason as one of the best super teams since James’ Miami Heat days, their roster has failed to find consistency. As of late November, was fourth in the Pacific Division and held a below .500 record. The formula is fairly simple for the Lakers: let their stars shine and everything will work itself out. However, that does not seem to be the case in the early part of the season as L.A. has been lacking any kind of consistency on the floor. It is hard to count out a LeBron James-led roster but the Lakers have some work to do as the season progresses.
As much as I wanted to write about another contender in the west like Denver (+1200) or the Clippers (+1100), the Suns have just made too much of a dominant push in the early part of the season to be left off. The reigning Western Conference champions, Phoenix has the momentum to challenge Golden State and the Lakers throughout the season and into the postseason. With a fifteen-game winning streak in November, the Suns are an explosive offensive team that trails only Golden State on a points per game basis.
Prediction: With the Lakers floundering, the Warriors have an excellent chance to make a strong push to the title especially when all-world shooter Thompson returns. Though Phoenix has the opportunity to charge at any given time, Golden State still has the veteran savvy and firepower to lock down its sixth conference title in eight years.
| Odds to Win the 2022 Western Conference |  |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | +210 |
| Utah Jazz | +400 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +450 |
| Phoenix Suns | +600 |
| LA Clippers | +1100 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1200 |
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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