NBA Playoffs: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Boston Celtics are the defending champions going into the NBA Playoffs but after a sensational regular season it is Oklahoma City Thunder who enter postseason as the favourites.

OKC are bidding for a first championship in their current guise, having claimed one title as the Seattle Supersonics, and aiming for a first appearance in the Finals Series since 2012.

The Thunder hold the top seed in the West and Cleveland Cavaliers are the number one seed in the East, with Boston second, going into  what promises to be a fascinating NBA Playoffs.

NBA Playoffs free betting tips and predictions

Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Playoffs - 16/1

Oklahoma City Thunder go into the Playoffs as the 17/10 favourites and there are plenty of reasons as to why they look champions in the making. 

Coach Mark Daigneault guided OKC to the conference semifinals last season and his young team have improved since. In Shai Gilgeous-Alexander they have one of the best players in the league and they have added a bit of experience to put together a very strong core.

However, the Thunder are a short price and they are not unbeatable, and at a big price serial winners Golden State Warriors could pull off a bit of an upset after coming through the play-in tournament.

The Dubs are the seventh seed but they won’t be too concerned by their position in that regard and they are heading into the postseason in fine form, with a 22-7 record over their last 29 games since mid-February. 

The Warriors have a very winnable first-round assignment against Houston Rockets, who they beat three times in five meetings in the regular season (as well as a one-point defeat in the NBA Cup) and then either Minnesota Timberwolves or LA Lakers would await. Again, Golden State would fancy their chances of progress.

Evergreen talisman Stephen Curry has been there and done it all before as a four-time champion with Golden State, while Draymond Green and Kevon Looney know what it takes to go all the way. 

The Dubs also have a not-so-secret weapon in Jimmy Butler, who is renowned for raising his levels and entering ‘Playoff mode’ during the postseason. 

Butler twice guided an otherwise limited Miami Heat team all the way to the Finals, and he may finally get his hands on a championship now he has linked up with the Dubs.  

If you are tempted by Golden State winning it all, Curry is a 22/1 chance to be the Finals MVP and Butler can be backed at 50/1.

Cleveland Cavaliers to win Eastern Conference - 19/10

The Eastern Conference is perhaps a little easier to predict than the West and it would be no surprise to see the top two seeds, Cleveland and Boston, contesting the conference finals.

The Celtics have the experience and are the defending champions, but these teams have been fairly well matched for much of the season and the Cavs would be the team with home-court advantage should they meet.

The Cavaliers finished the season with a 64-18 overall record, behind only OKC, and their team looks strong in all areas. Boston have the experience, but the Cavs could be the fresher outfit by the time we reach the conference finals stage and that may also give them a crucial edge.  

Milwaukee Bucks to win from behind vs Indiana Pacers - 3/1

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks is one of the toughest first-round matchups to call. The Bucks start the series on the road and they will definitely be without Damian Lillard for Game 1, while superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable.

However, Giannis should return for Game 2 and Lillard could make a comeback during the series, so there is a decent chance the Bucks drop the first game but then rally to triumph over the best-of-seven series. 

NBA Playoffs odds

OKC Thunder - 27/10
BOS Celtics - 37/20
CLE Cavaliers - 6/1
LA Lakers - 14/1
GS Warriors - 16/1
LA Clippers - 25/1
NY Knicks - 28/1
DEN Nuggets - 35/1
MIN Timberwolves - 60/1
HOU Rockets - 75/1
IND Pacers - 75/1
MIL Bucks - 100/1

View the full market and more odds for the NBA Playoffs on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.