NBA Playoff Betting Preview, Predictions and Long Shots

It’s business time in the NBA with the playoffs starting this weekend. The top of both of the Eastern and Western Conferences has a different look this campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers at the summit in the East and the Utah Jazz sitting pretty in the West. Let’s take a look at who you should be putting your money on as they head into the offseason.

The Favourites

Despite finishing second in the Eastern Conference the Brooklyn Nets are 11.50 favourites to take the title this season. With superstars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving on their roster it’s undeniably difficult to bet against them. However, they have all struggled with injuries this term and haven’t played much together. But with the talent they have, it’s not impossible to see them getting their hands on the trophy.

Staying in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks are another team that looks like a good bet. With odds of 8.50 you can absolutely get good returns on a wager. They have two-time NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo as their leader and he can do it all. He was the Defensive Player of the Year last season as well as being named MVP. The Bucks have an excellent supporting cast and this could be their year.

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The last of the real favourites in the East are the conference-topping Philadelphia 76ers, and with odds of 9.50 you wouldn’t be throwing your money away by backing them. They have two of the best players in the league on their roster in Cameroonian centre Joel Embiid and Australian guard/forward Ben Simmons. Coached by Doc Rivers, an NBA title-winning coach they have all of the required elements for greatness.

Out West, it is truly wild. They say never bet against LeBron James and you shouldn’t. Even though the Los Angeles Lakers have just sneaked into the playoffs as the 7th seed the odds of them winning the title in back-to-back years are 5.00. That is huge. With Anthony Davis and King James both healthy going into the postseason it’s easy to see why everyone thinks they will be champions again.

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Staying in the city of Angels, the Lakers’ rivals the LA Clippers are also a team to keep an eye on at 6.00. The Clippers have long underperformed, their record is one of the also-rans and nearly men. This could all change in 2021. With two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard again teaming up with superstar Paul George magic can happen. It didn’t happen in the NBA bubble last term, but that could be due to factors surrounding the pandemic. Now they are ready for action and the pressure is off. It could happen.

The final favourite in the Western Conference is the Utah Jazz, and with odds of 9.00 they are a team that you can’t take your eyes off. They have a rising star in Donovan Mitchell and have perennial Defensive Player of the Year award winner Rudy Gobert on the team. The rest of the team in Salt Lake City is impressive, though not star-studded. They are a side that does everything right and defends like no one else. They are definitely worth a punt.

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Outside Chance

Here are a few of the other teams to keep a close eye on as the playoffs hit full swing.

Phoenix Suns – Odds: 21.00

Worth a shot with veteran point guard Chris Paul leading the way, as well as supreme talent Devin Booker leading the line. But in their path are the Lakers and that is a matchup made in hell for this youthful team. They finished the regular season with the second-best record, so they shouldn’t be counted out.

Denver Nuggets – Odds: 33.00

The Nuggets are a team that can hurt anyone they play. Last season they showed that you discount them at your peril. They made it to the Western Conference Finals only to fall short to the Lakers. This season with probable MVP Nikola Jokic still leading the group they have a shot, but losing Jamal Murray to a season-ending knee injury was a body blow to their chances.

Miami Heat – Odds: 35.00

The Heat are a real enigma. Out of nowhere, they made it all the way to the NBA Finals last season, shocking the bigger name teams along the way. They’ve struggled to get any real momentum this campaign and that could hurt them. They are a team of hard-playing guys that have a dogged leader in Jimmy Butler. Don’t count them out, but I wouldn’t bet the house on them either.