Here's a closer look at all matchups in the 2024 NBA playoffs and how the series odds are unfolding as each progresses.
NBA Playoff Matchup Hub
First Round Matchups
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic
Series Preview: Cavaliers vs. Magic First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -205 | -430 |
| Orlando Magic | +164 | +320 |
Odds as of May 3
Series: Cavaliers lead 3-2
The Orlando Magic return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, barely missing out on home-court advantage by just a single game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who qualify for the second year in a row. The two sides split their season series at 2-2, with Cleveland's greater odds perhaps stemming from the necessity to advance in order to keep Donovan Mitchell content as he can enter unrestricted free agency at the end of next season.
No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Series Preview: Clippers vs. Mavericks First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +120 | +650 |
| Dallas Mavericks | -142 | -1050 |
Odds as of May 3
Series: Mavericks lead 3-2
Like Minnesota and New York in the opening round, the Los Angeles Clippers are also facing an uphill climb as the home-court underdogs, likely due to the Dallas Mavericks being one of the Association's hotter teams to close out the campaign. Dallas went 16-2 SU from March 6 through April 10, while the Clippers currently have health concerns surrounding Kawhi Leonard who sat out the final eight games with knee inflammation.
Second Round Matchups (Eastern Conference)
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 3 Indiana Pacers
Series Preview: Coming Soon
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | -300 | N/A |
| Indiana Pacers | +235 | N/A |
Odds as of May 3
The New York Knicks enter as heavy favorites after a barnburner of a series in the opening round with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Indiana Pacers actually took the season series with New York 2-1, winning each game by exactly 14 points and one at Madison Square Garden.
These two franchises met six times in the postseason from 1993 through 2000, and last squared off in the 2012-13 conference semifinals in which Indiana prevailed in six games.
Second Round Matchups (Western Conference)
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
Series Preview: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Second Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | -205 | N/A |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +164 | N/A |
Odds as of May 3
Both the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a combined single game in the opening round, with Denver eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games while Minnesota completed a clean sweep of the Phoenix Suns.
They split their season series 2-2, and have alternated wins each of the last two years.
How to Bet NBA Playoffs Moneyline
Betting the moneyline is also referred to as a "straight-up bet," meaning you're simply picking the winner of a specific series. If the team you bet on emerges victorious, then so do you.
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +100 |
| Phoenix Suns | -142 |
In this example, the Phoenix Suns are considered the favorites in their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, evident by the minus sign (-) displayed in front of their numerical odds. The Timberwolves are the underdogs, which is made apparent by the plus sign (+) next to their respective numerical odds.
If you were to bet on the Suns to defeat the Timberwolves on the moneyline by wagering $100 and Phoenix advanced, you'd receive your original bet back along with $70.42 in profit. If Minnesota moved forward, the profit would be larger - in this case, your original bet and $100 in profit - because it was the underdog in this series
