The NBA Playoffs are almost here! The final week of the regular season will be a seeding frenzy, especially in the Western Conference. The next few games could determine the difference between hosting a first round series as the 4-seed, and having two play-in games just to advance as the 10-seed.
The play-in is sure to be thrilling once again. With the Cavs and Thunder stumbling a bit down the stretch, is there a major upset on the horizon?
Let me know your predictions for the seeding, play-in, and overall NBA playoffs! We'll see who nails the pick from the very start. Here's the current overall odds:
Oklahoma City Thunder +170
Boston Celtics +190
Cleveland Cavaliers +550
Los Angeles Lakers +1400
Golden State Warriors +1400
Denver Nuggets +3000
New York Knicks +3000
Got any underdog picks for me? 😉
@butfirsttea Sure thing! The Milwaukee Bucks (+25000) have won 5 games in a row and have the talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading them, both who have a lot of postseason experience. A first-round series win in the 4-5 matchup could set up a second-round clash with the flailing Cavs. They have some real upside at +25000 odds to win it all. (A $100 bet would net you $25,000!!)
If you're seeking even longer odds, the Orlando Magic (+75000) are much better than their record indicates. When both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are healthy, which they finally are, Orlando is a totally different team. It's a riskier pick with how young they are, but with the ability to turn a $20 bet into $15,000, it could be worth taking a flyer on.
Meanwhile in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies (+25000) are also being heavily undervalued. A 1-8 stretch dropped them from the 3-seed to the 10-seed, though they have since won three straight and bounced back to the 7-seed. Avoiding the play-in would help their chances a lot, but the Grizzlies should realistically have odds closer to that of a team like the Houston Rockets (+8000).
Any underdog is going to face a tough task trying to topple the Thunder and Cavs/Celtics, but the field is much more wide-open than many people think.
Pacers look good against the Bucks in G1. Perhaps Lillard's appearance at some point could make this a competitive series.
@jdtillman They definitely need Lillard back to stand a chance. Would be nice to see the series be more competitive so hopefully he makes his return soon!
That makes two of us, Keith. Looking forward to seeing how the Lakers respond after the T'Wolves landed the first punch in Game 1.
