The NBA’s regular season is over for 2023-24, and the final 16 teams for the playoffs will be set after this week’s play-in games.
The Eastern Conference was dominated by the Boston Celtics, who finished 14 games ahead of the pack. Four games separate teams 2 through 8 in the East, and there were many shifts in the seeding during the final days of the season.
The current NBA Playoff picture and the associated betting odds reveal a few outlier teams that are projected to advance further than their seeding projects.
Who Made It To The NBA Playoffs?
As mentioned earlier, Boston led the Eastern Conference by double-digit games, but the OKC Thunder only secured the number one seed in the West a few days ago. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have held the top seed during the past two weeks.
Since the East is so tightly contested, over the past week, the Orlando Magic dropped from 2 to 6 and then back to 5 after blowing out the Milwaukee Bucks in their season finale.
The New York Knicks claimed into the 2-seed during the final week of the season, but the NBA Playoff odds imply they’ll lose their round one series against the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers, who have won their last eight games.
The 76ers must win their play-in game before they’ll get a chance to face New York.
Who Will Make It Out Of The Play-In?
Betting on the NBA Playoffs cannot begin until the field of 16 has been set. The 7 and 8 seeds for both halves of the bracket will be determined during this Tuesday through Friday’s play-in games.
The #SoFiPlayIn matchups are set!
Tuesday on TNT:
7:30pm/et: #8 Lakers at #7 Pelicans
10:00pm/et: #10 Warriors at #9 KingsWednesday on ESPN:
7:00pm/et: #8 Heat at #7 Sixers
9:30pm/et: #10 Hawks at #9 Bulls pic.twitter.com/mARzNZhZJ9— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Line
- Point Spread: Lakers +1.0, Pelicans -1.0
- Moneyline: Lakers -105, Pelicans -115
- Over/Under: 225.5
- Tuesday At 7:30 PM
The Lakers are favored to make the playoffs as one of the eight teams in the Western Conference, but their play-in game line at Legal online NBA sportsbooks suggests LA will lose a nailbiter to the Pelicans.
If New Orleans wins this play-in game, they’ll become the 7th seed and face the Denver Nuggets. If the Pelicans lose, Los Angeles will become the 7th seed.
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Line
- Point Spread: Warriors -2.5, Kings +2.5
- Moneyline: Warriors -140, Kings +120
- Over/Under 225.5
- Tuesday At 10 PM
The NBA odds imply that the Warriors will take care of the Kings and then beat the Pelicans or Lakers this Friday to claim the 8-seed in the West.
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Line
- Point Spread: Heat +4.5, 76ers -4.5
- Moneyline: Heat +160, 76ers -185
- Over/Under: 207.5
- Wednesday At 7 PM
When the Heat face the 76ers on Wednesday, it will be a win-and-in scenario. Game lines project that Philadelphia’s win streak will stretch to nine games, securing them the seventh seed in the East.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Line
- Point Spread: Hawks +3.5, Bulls -3.5
- Moneyline: Hawks +135, Bulls -160
- Over/Under: 219.0
- Wednesday At 9:30 PM
Finally, Wednesday night will be the Hawks against the Bulls. These two teams have lingered in the 9 and 10 spots all season and are not favored to beat the loser of the 7 vs. 8 matchup.
The losers of these four games will face each other this Friday Night. A win will earn them the 8th seed in their respective conferences.
Sources:
- BovadaLV (Bovada Sportsbook Review)
- USA Today
