The Phoenix Suns will Win the NBA Title Based on This Historical Trend
By Peter Dewey
The Phoenix Suns won the Western Conference last season, and they've followed that up by showing that they are far from a one-year wonder, easily holding the best record in the NBA for the majority of the 2021-22 season.
Phoenix has a nine-game lead in the Western Conference with just 10 games remaining on its schedule, and it has won five games in a row even though Chris Paul hasn't played since the All-Star break.
The Suns have been the only 50-win team in the NBA for quite some time, and it actually sets up a trend that would suggest Phoenix should win the NBA Finals this season.
The Suns will be the 5th team to spend more than 20 days as the only team with 50 wins in a season and the first since the 1982-83 76ers.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 21, 2022
The previous four teams to do so went on to win the title that season. pic.twitter.com/4pot94q3OJ
This hasn't happened in nearly 40 years, but the Suns are on the right side of history at this point in the season. Not only that, but Paul is expected to return to the lineup sooner rather than later, making the Suns' roster even more dangerous entering the postseason.
Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul's pregame workout Sunday latest sign of early return from injury https://t.co/KM2hFakO12 via @azcentral @DuaneRankin
— Chris Coppola (@chris_coppola) March 21, 2022
What Are the Suns' Odds to Win NBA Finals?
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The Suns are currently the favorite at WynnBET Sportsbook to win the NBA Finals this season at +400 odds. The Golden State Warriors (+425) and Brooklyn Nets (+475) are the next closest teams in the odds.
Paul's return will be a huge boost for Phoenix, but this team has been dominant all year despite losing Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton at different points in the season. The Suns are No. 2 in the NBA in both offensive and defensive rating this season, and they have the best net rating in the NBA at 8.4.
There aren't many teams that hang with the Suns' depth, and while the trend is outdated, I think they are rightful favorites to win the NBA Finals this season.
Phoenix is two wins away from guaranteeing home court advantage in the West for the entire postseason, so things are lining up well for Monty Williams' club to get back to the Finals after last year's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Phoenix still has some value as well at +400, but you may be wise to build out a portfolio of a few options to win the NBA Finals, with the Suns included, prior to the start of the playoffs.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.