2022 NBA Playoffs Betting Update: Suns knocked out, Doncic Finals MVP odds slashed

Sportsbooks reacted Monday to the Phoenix Suns shocking home loss in Game 7 of their 2022 NBA Western Conference Quarterfinal series with the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night.

The Suns, who had been the favorites going into the NBA Playoffs after posting, by far, the best regular season record, were eliminated Sunday night after a 123-90 defeat, sending the upstart Mavericks into the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors in a series starting Wednesday night in San Francisco.

MORE: NBA Picks and Props for every game of the 2022 Playoffs

This was music to the ears of sportsbooks, most of which carried the Suns’ as the greatest liability of all NBA championship contenders.

"BetMGM had the biggest liability on Phoenix to win the NBA Championship so the Suns losing in Game 7 was a good outcome for BetMGM, said Christian Cipollini, Sports Trader at BetMGM. “Looking at the final four, any team but the Warriors winning would be good for the book.

According to BetMGM, the Warriors are now the favorites to win the NBA Championship at +150, followed by the Celtics at +200, the Heat at +425 and the Mavericks at +600.

Gone, too, Sunday night, was the value bet on Mavericks star Luka Doncic for Finals MVP.

Luka Doncic is averaging 38.3 points per game in elimination games, the most in NBA history, says @statmuse.

Generational talent. pic.twitter.com/EApm9dDLJS

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 16, 2022

His stellar showing in helping Dallas to blowout wins in Game 6 and Game 7 moved him from a +2500 opening odds to +700. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is the favorite for Finals MVP at +200 with the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum second-best at +275 after he opened at +1400.

The elimination of the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, and their star player, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was also good news for the books, as, according to BetMGM, Antetokounmpo had the highest ticket percentage and the highest handle on their books.