Here's a closer look at all first-round matchups in the 2024 NBA playoffs and how the odds are unfolding as each series progresses.
NBA Playoff Matchup Hub
- Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat/Chicago Bulls
- New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans/Sacramento Kings
- Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
Series Preview: Celtics vs. Heat First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -8000 | -3500 |
| Miami Heat | +1800 | +1200 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Celtics-Heat tied 1-1
The Miami Heat punched their ticket to the postseason by defeating the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament. They'll now have to take on the best team in the Association in the Boston Celtics without their best player as Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for several weeks with an MCL sprain.
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Series Preview: Knicks vs. 76ers First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +100 | -235 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -122 | +186 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Knicks lead 2-1
The New York Knicks are making history as just the second No. 1 or No. 2 seed over the last 25 years to enter the first round as an underdog, joining the Phoenix Suns in 2021 against the Los Angeles Lakers, which Phoenix advanced through in six games.
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
Series Preview: Bucks vs. Pacers First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | -120 | +120 |
| Indiana Pacers | -102 | -148 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Pacers-Bucks tied 1-1
The Milwaukee Bucks received a huge blow with the news that superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be ready to compete for the start of the team's series against the Indiana Pacers due to a left calf strain. There's still hope that he'll suit up at some point, but that will be determined by how effective his treatment works. Even with Giannis at 100 percent, the Pacers would still maintain the psychological edge having defeated the Bucks four out of five times during the regular season.
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 | -375 |
| Orlando Magic | +164 | +285 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Cavaliers lead 2-1
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.
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans Or Sacramento Kings
Series Preview: Thunder vs. Pelicans First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -700 | -2000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +450 | +1000 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Thunder lead 2-0
The New Orleans Pelicans face an uphill climb after bouncing the Sacramento Kings from the play-in tournament on Friday night. They'll look to pull off a shocking upset by eliminating the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder without their leading scorer Zion Williamson as he's been ruled out for the foreseeable future with a calif injury.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets Vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
Series Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | -420 | -20000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +310 | +4000 |
Odds as of April 26
Best Bet: Nuggets lead 3-0
The reigning champion Denver Nuggets have had the Los Angeles Lakers' number for quite some time, sweeping the season series 3-0 after sweeping them 4-0 in last year's conference finals. Los Angeles needed to get past the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament to secure the seventh seed.
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
Series Preview: Timberwolves vs. Suns First Round Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +100 | -480 |
| Phoenix Suns | -118 | +350 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Timberwolves lead 2-0
The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of three teams entering their series as an underdog despite holding the higher seed, and therefore home-court advantage. Phoenix emerged victorious all three times against Minnesota during the regular season, with the average margin of victory being 15.6 points.
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 | +134 |
| Dallas Mavericks | -142 | -164 |
Odds as of April 26
Series: Mavericks-Clippers tied 1-1
Like Minnesota and New York, 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.
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
