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
2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
Series Preview: Still to come.
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -1250 | -1250 |
| Indiana Pacers | +710 | +710 |
Series: Starts Tuesday, May 21, 2024
This marks the seventh time in playoff history that the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers will face off, although all of the previous matchups took place in the first round and never this late in the postseason.
Boston prevailed in four of those series, and returns to the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years. Indiana, on the other hand, hasn't advanced this far since 2013-14.
2024 NBA Western Conference Finals: No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Series Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview, Betting Odds
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -180 | -180 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +146 | +146 |
Series: Starts Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Down goes the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, with the Minnesota Timberwolves overcoming a 3-2 series deficit while trailing by 20 points in Game 7 to reach their first Western Conference finals since 2004.
The Dallas Mavericks are back in the fold for the second time in three years after bouncing both the Los Angeles Clippers and No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
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
