Buy or Sell on Teams Who Have Started Hot and Cold in NBA Season

The 2021-22 NBA season has gotten off to a fast start, and there are some teams that have surprised more than others. 

As bettors and fans look to see who the true NBA Finals contenders are, I’m going to give my take on a few of the fast, and slow starters in the association. 

Are we buying or selling the Chicago Bulls? Are we still believing in the Los Angeles Lakers? All that and more with all NBA Finals odds via WynnBET Sportsbook: 

Sell: Chicago Bulls (+5000)

I do think the Bulls are going to be good this season, but I think they're a team that you may want to fade over the next few weeks. 

Chicago got off to a 4-0 start against three of the worst teams in basketball, beating the Detroit Pistons twice, the Zion Williamson-less New Orleans Pelicans and the Toronto Raptors (without Pascal Siakam). 

Detroit and New Orleans have the two worst offensive ratings in the NBA, so Chicago’s No. 2 defense is due for some regression in the coming weeks. 

Which brings me to the Bulls’ schedule. Of the Bulls next 13 games, 12 come against teams that made the playoffs last season. The only one that doesn’t? Against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. 

It’s a really tough stretch, and it’s going to tell us a lot about how good this new-look Bulls team is. However, with Zach LaVine banged up and the Bulls yet to have a true test, I’m selling them for now at 4-0. 

Buy: Brooklyn Nets (+250)

I mean, there’s no way we can sell a Kevin Durant and James Harden-led team, right? 

The Nets have not looked great, and Harden has struggled to open the season, but the star power is still there. 

No Kyrie Irving has certainly taken a hit to this team’s offense, but head coach Steve Nash is still trying to push all the right buttons with his new veterans in the rotation. I do think they miss Jeff Green a lot on both ends, but the Nets are going to be just fine. 

They may not win the East, but as my friend and coworker Reed Wallach has told me, it’s only five games. KD and company will find a way to right the ship. 

Sell: Indiana Pacers (+10000)

I’ve been out on the Indiana Pacers before this season started, and I’m out on them still after a 1-4 start to the season. 

Caris LeVert is back, but T.J. Warren is still out indefinitely and I don’t buy this team even with Rick Carlisle at the helm. Indiana has already lost to Raptors, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, who are all teams that should compete with them for a play-in spot. 

I think the Pacers are running back the same team year after year and expecting a different result, and they’re not going to get it this season. 

Buy: Golden State Warriors (+900)

I was out on Vegas’ love for the Golden State Warriors coming into this season, but I’m starting to buy the supporting cast around Steph Curry. 

Last year, Golden State couldn’t survive without Steph, and while I think that is also true this season, the Warriors look much more competent with some veteran pieces and the emergence of Jordan Poole. 

If Klay Thompson comes back and is close to what he used to be, the Warriors are going to be a top team in the West this season with Steph playing at an MVP level. 

Hold: Los Angeles Lakers (+550)

The Los Angeles Lakers have not looked good to start this season, blowing a huge lead to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, but I’m not going to panic just yet. 

LeBron James didn’t play in the loss to OKC, and as long as his ankle injury is minor, the Lakers still have two of the best players in the NBA in him and Anthony Davis. 

I still am waiting for the Russell Westbrook fit to make sense, but I think the Lakers will get healthy and find themselves as a top seed in the West. I wouldn't panic too much after this slow start.