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The NBA playoffs are finally here, and this season brought some real shockers. Out in the jam-packed Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors, with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, surprisingly missed the playoffs, sparking talks of their dynasty’s end. Over in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks unexpectedly snagged the 2nd spot, shuffling up the seedings. Meanwhile, last season’s finalists, the Miami Heat, landed in 8th place, adding another twist to the mix. For basketball enthusiasts and members of our online betting community, here are a few betting tips to guide you through.  

Our Picks:  

- Celtics to eliminate the Heat  

- 76ers to eliminate the Knicks 

- Pacers to eliminate the Bucks  

- Cavs to eliminate the Magic  

- Suns to eliminate the Timberwolves  

- Nuggets to eliminate the Lakers  

- OKC to eliminate the Pelicans  

- Mavs to eliminate the Clippers 

- Celtics to Win the Eastern Conference  

- Denver Nuggets to Win the Western Conference  

**Eastern Conference**

**Boston Celtics (1) vs. Miami Heat (8)**

These two teams have clashed in three out of the last four Eastern Conference finals, with last year’s series seeing the Miami Heat jump to a commanding 3-0 lead, only for the Celtics to claw their way back to tie it 3-3. Boston nearly pulled off the historic feat of overturning a 3-0 deficit, but their hopes were dashed when Jayson Tatum got injured just seconds into Game 7, allowing the Heat to seal the deal. Clearly, change was needed for the Celtics, and they made significant moves during a busy offseason. They traded away Marcus Smart, Rob Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and Grant Williams, and brought in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. The result? The Celtics enjoyed their best regular season since 2008, securing the #1 seed in the East with 14 games to go. There are many stats highlighting their dominance, but one standout is that they held a 20-point lead in 41 out of their 82 games—exactly 50%. Talk about impressive! 

With Erik Spoelstra at the helm, the Heat always have a fighting chance, given his coaching ability. Look, that man is a genius. However, it’s hard to deny that this series isn’t looking favourable for them. Losing their best player, Jimmy Butler, to an MCL sprain for an extended period is a major blow. Add to that their inconsistent performance throughout the season and a win against the Celtics seems like an uphill battle. Their record of losing all three regular-season meetings with the Celtics this year doesn’t bode well either, especially with Kristaps Porziņģis making a significant impact - something the Celtics didn’t have last season. And let’s not forget about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have been locked in and focused lately, making them clear favourites.

Prediction: 

Total Series Games: Under 5.5 

Series Winner: Boston Celtics 

**Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Orlando Magic (5)**

On the last day of the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers broke one of the unwritten rules in sports when they intentionally lost at home to the Hornets to avoid finishing 2nd in the East. Boos rang around the arena, but that didn’t stop the Cavs from playing without a ball-handler in the final 6 and a half minutes to secure this loss. Why did they do this? Well, they weren’t keen on facing the Miami Heat or the Sixers, figuring they’d fare better against the Orlando Magic. They can deny it all they want, but they lost on purpose. We expect a response from this young and hungry Magic side who should feel insulted.  

Morality aside, this is perhaps the most evenly balanced matchup in the Eastern Conference. In their four meetings during the regular season, both teams won two games apiece - one at home and one on the road. The Cavs’ form is a worry, though. Before the All-Star break, they were high-flying and second in the East. Since then, however, a series of injuries to key players, including star Guard Donovan Mitchell who missed 18 of the last 29 games, saw the Cavs end the season with the worst post-All-Star Break record of any team to make the playoffs. On the flip side, led by rising star Forward Paolo Banchero, fresh off his All-Star debut, the Magic are a gritty, ambitious young squad. They rank fifth in steals, eighth in deflections, second in opponent turnover percentage, second in points scored off turnovers, second in points allowed per possession, and first in shots taken directly at the rim. This series is bound to be a nail-biter, possibly stretching to a full 7 games, but the Cavs’ quality should see them through. The basketball gods won’t punish them till the second round.  

Predictions:  

Total Series Games: Over 5.5 

Series Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers

**New York Knicks (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)**

For the first time since 1989, these two franchises will meet in the playoffs, marking a potentially thrilling showdown in the East. Let’s be clear, the Sixers are far stronger than their current 7th seed suggests. They were holding firm in 3rd place with reigning MVP Joel Embiid leading the league in scoring while also being the betting favourite to win the MVP again…then he got injured. In his absence, the Sixers struggled, going 11-18, and dropping into a play-in spot. Since his return, he’s picked up where he left off, averaging 30-9-5. The Sixers are undefeated since Embiid’s return, outscoring opponents by 10.3 points-per-100 across eight games. See? It’s clear that when at full strength, they can easily stake a claim as the second-best team in the East, trailing only the Boston Celtics. 

The team with the actual second best record in the East is the Knicks and boy, do they deserve all the credit. Their journey took a turn for the better after acquiring OG Anunoby from the Raptors—a move that caught everyone off guard but proved to be a stroke of genius. They got off to a 12-2 start in the OG Anunoby era but then their momentum took a hit when both he and Julius Randle suffered injuries. But fear not, because Jalen Bruson stepped up in a big way, carrying the team with his outstanding play, averaging 31.5 points and 7.1 assists. 

Though the Knicks won the regular season series 3-1, it’s hard to judge by that seeing as Embiid only played in one of those. The Knicks have the depth and health advantage to outlast the Sixers, but in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers have two of the three best players in this series. Plus, having a championship coach like Nick Nurse can tip the scales in favour of the Sixers when it comes down to the wire. 

Predictions:  

Series Winner: Philadelphia 76ers 

When Will the Series End? - 7 Games 

**Western Conference**

**Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)**

Zion Williamson was having the game of his life against the Lakers a few nights ago. He had 40 points and was proving to be a handful… and then he got injured. Sadly, this has become a familiar narrative for the young superstar, often getting sidelined when he’s at the top of his game. Without him, the Pelicans’ chances against the Thunder seem rather limited. While they might secure a win or two, their chances of making a significant impact without Zion are slim. 

The Thunder made their way into the records book as the youngest team ever to clinch the #1 seed in the history of basketball. With stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks third in NBA scoring and stands high in MVP power rankings, along with Jalen Williams and Rookie of the Year contender Chet Holmgren, they boast the league’s youngest big three with potential to dominate for years to come. Granted, they lack experience, and there may be some hiccups as the playoffs progress. However, their talent and potential are undeniable, making them well worth the hype. A series win in five games seems well within their grasp. 

Prediction:  

Series Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder 

**Denver Nuggets (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)**

LeBron James is one of the two greatest players to have ever set foot on a basketball court. The 21-year veteran is 15-1 in his illustrious career in first round series. That means 94% of the time, he advances to the next round at this stage. So, why is he a huge underdog this year? The simple answer is… the Denver Nuggets.  

The Nuggets have dominated LeBron James and the Lakers over the last year, and that’s us being respectful. In last season’s Western Conference finals, Nikola Jokić led the charge as they swept the Lakers on their way to clinching their first ever NBA title. And this season? Well, they simply continued their winning streak, securing victories in all 4 meetings against the Lakers. 

The Nuggets would have finished as the #1 seed if Jamal Murray had not missed a third of the season with hamstring and ankle injuries. That’s how dominant and scary they have been. Leading the charge, as expected, is Nikola Jokić, who posted impressive averages of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists per game this season. His impact is further highlighted by a league-best on/off differential of +23.7 points per 100 possessions, excluding garbage time. It’s no surprise that he’s on track to clinch his third MVP award. As for the series, the Nuggets should win this easily, though we expect the Lakers may snag a win and avoid a sweep. Our bet of the day is for a 4-1 win for Denver and we have the best odds for that on BetKing.  

Predictions:  

Series Winner - Denver Nuggets 

Correct Series Score - Denver Nuggets 4-1 

**Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6)**

A year after the Rudy Gobert trade drew league-wide mockery, the Timberwolves are reaping the rewards as they deliver some of their finest basketball since the Kevin Garnett era, entering the playoffs brimming with confidence. Their defense has been a standout feature, with Rudy Gobert serving as the linchpin on that end of the court. The Frenchman, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is once again the frontrunner for the title this year, even edging out fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama. However, Gobert isn’t shouldering this burden alone. The driving force behind this transformation is none other than 22-year-old Guard Anthony Edwards, who exudes confidence and boldly predicts he’ll be the league’s best player in the next 2-3 years. Despite their resurgence, the Timberwolves should be wary of the Suns. Very wary. 

This season, the Timberwolves have faced the Suns three times and come up short in each encounter, with each loss by a double-digit margin. Anthony Edwards is averaging a measly 14.3 PPG in those 3 losses, shooting just 31% from FG. On the other hand, the Suns boast a scary trio in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, who can out-score just about anyone on their day. Although they haven’t quite reached the heights they hoped for, basketball ultimately comes down to matchups, and this matchup seems to favour the Suns. With a veteran presence like Kevin Durant on their side, they should edge this out in 6 games.  

Predictions:  

Series Winner - Phoenix Suns 

Series Total Games - Over 5.5 

**Los Angeles Clippers (4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)**

The term "basketball savant" is often tossed around loosely, but when it comes to Luka Dončić, it’s truly fitting. Watching him on the court is akin to witnessing a masterpiece, the kind that even Leonardo da Vinci would admire. This season, the Slovenian Guard claimed his first scoring title, averaging an impressive 33.9 points per game while also ranking second in assists. With 284 three-pointers made, he trails only Steph Curry, proving to be a nightmare for opposing coaches on the offensive end. And with teammate Kyrie Irving enjoying a controversy-free season, the duo has formed one of the most lethal backcourts in the league. With 16 wins in their final 20 games of the season, they’re primed and ready for battle. 

As per usual, the Clippers enter the playoffs with more questions than answers. Even their head coach, Ty Lue, didn’t hold back, describing them as "soft"–ouch! After trading for James Harden earlier in the season, they had a rough few weeks, but then went on a league-best 31-8 run between mid-November and February… then they broke down, barely finishing above .500 in the final 33 games. And then there’s the ongoing issue of Kawhi Leonard’s health, a concern that has plagued them since his departure from Toronto. While they took the season series 2-1, it’s worth noting that all three games were played before Christmas. When the Clippers play up to their potential, they are championship contenders. But given their current form, they’re vulnerable, especially against a player like Dončić, who pounces when he smells blood. 

Predictions:  

Series Winner - Dallas Mavericks 

**Western Conference Finals Prediction: Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks**

Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić may share a close friendship and mutual admiration, but when they meet in a conference final for the first time in the playoffs, that camaraderie will have to take a back seat. These two European stars represent some of the finest basketball minds of our generation, making their matchup a must-watch event, even for casual fans. However, when it comes down to it, we’re putting our money on the Nuggets to come out on top. With their experience and overall squad quality, they have the edge to prevail in what promises to be an epic showdown. 

Prediction:

Denver Nuggets to Win The Western Conference 

**NBA Finals Prediction: Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets**

While the Celtics have shown impressive form this season, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Nuggets are the defending champions. Despite the Celtics’ best efforts, they could not overcome Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets in both of their matchups this season, with the Serb withstanding everything that was thrown at him by Boston. While it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if the Celtics pulled off a win, I’m inclined to stick with the team that has already proven themselves as champions until proven otherwise. 

Prediction: 

Denver Nuggets to Win the NBA Championship  

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Betting Tips

NBA Play-Off Overview: Betting Tips & Predictions

Total Series Games: Under 5.5

Series Winner: Boston Celtics

Total Series Games: Over 5.5

Series Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers

Series Winner: Philadelphia 76ers

When Will the Series End? - 7 Games

Total Series Games: Under 5.5

Series Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

Series Winner - Denver Nuggets

Correct Series Score - Denver Nuggets 4-1

Series Winner - Phoenix Suns

Series Total Games - Over 5.5

Series Winner - Dallas Mavericks

Series Total Games - Over 5.5

Denver Nuggets to Win The Western Conference

Denver Nuggets to Win the NBA Championship