2025-26 NBA Playoff Odds: Greatest Bets for First-Spherical Showdowns

[ad_1] The NBA postseason ideas off this weekend, because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder look to grow to be the league’s first repeat champion for the reason that 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors.

After an thrilling play-in event concludes Friday evening, we can be all the way down to 16 groups, with the playoffs starting early Saturday afternoon. Let’s check out each collection that's set to this point, and preview every from a betting perspective.

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No. 5 TORONTO vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND

The primary playoff recreation will happen Saturday afternoon in Cleveland, because the Cavaliers are heavy -550 favorites (a $55 guess pays $10) to win the collection.

Whereas the Raptors are the underdogs, it's notable that they swept the season collection in opposition to the Cavs, successful all three matchups. Nonetheless, all of these video games passed off previous to Thanksgiving, and will not be sufficient to compel me to select the upset right here.

The Cavaliers have had some disappointing early postseason exits in recent times, however the duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell can be an excessive amount of for the Raptors to deal with, and I count on a comparatively fast collection.

PICK: Cavaliers win collection in precisely 5 video games (+240)

No. 6 MINNESOTA vs. No. 3 DENVER

The Nuggets come into this matchup as -330 collection favorites (a $33 guess pays $10).

Two years in the past, the Timberwolves derailed the Nuggets’ hopes of back-to-back titles, eliminating the defending champs within the second spherical of the 2024 playoffs. Some will do not forget that collection upset and predict the same end result, however this can be a very completely different Timberwolves group.

The Wolves from two years in the past had massive man Karl-Anthony Cities to assist defend Nuggets’ famous person Nikola Jokić, and likewise had rangy guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to make use of in opposition to Jamal Murray. These two names are actually elsewhere, and the Nuggets ought to be capable of exploit the Timberwolves’ weak point of fouling at a excessive fee.

The Nuggets averaged almost 26 free-throw makes an attempt per recreation within the common season (fourth-most within the league), whereas the Timberwolves dedicated 21.2 fouls per recreation (third-most within the league).

I just like the Nuggets to get some revenge this time round.

PICK: Nuggets win collection in precisely six video games (+450)

No. 6 ATLANTA vs. No. 3 NEW YORK

The Knicks are -275 collection favorites, as they appear to advance previous the primary spherical for the fourth consecutive season. They tackle a Hawks squad that wasn’t anticipated to be right here again in January, after beginning the season 20-25 earlier than successful 26 out of its subsequent 36 video games.

Whereas that run is spectacular, quite a lot of these wins got here in opposition to tanking groups. I count on the Hawks to place up a good battle, but when we have been to draft gamers from every group "playground type," the Knicks could be picked early and sometimes. They've the extra proficient roster, in addition to a powerful home-court benefit right here.

PICK: Knicks win collection in precisely six video games (+425)

No. 5 HOUSTON vs. No. 4 LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The Rockets are the one favored group within the first spherical that doesn't have home-court benefit, as they arrive into this collection at a hefty -600.

The Lakers can be with out two of their three greatest gamers for the foreseeable future, as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves get well from accidents. If the Lakers have been wholesome, they'd be the favorites, however are presently too shorthanded for me to count on a lot.

I believe the Rockets to roll via the beat-up Lakers.

PICK: Rockets win collection in precisely 4 video games (+275)

No. 7 PHILADELPHIA vs. No. 2 BOSTON

The Celtics are -900 collection favorites, as they tackle a 76ers group that defeated the Magic within the play-in event to earn a playoff bid.

The 76ers are with out Joel Embiid in the meanwhile as he recovers from appendicitis, however the group has expertise taking part in with out its star middle. The Celtics and 76ers performed 4 instances this season, with every group successful twice, and Embiid solely taking part in in two of these matchups.

The Celtics now have Jayson Tatum again and wholesome, and they need to win, however I’m shocked they're such a heavy favourite, particularly in Sport 1, the place they're laying 12.5 factors.

PICK: Celtics win collection in precisely six video games (+550)

No. 7 PORTLAND vs. No. 2 SAN ANTONIO

The Spurs are jumbo -2000 favorites to win their first playoff collection of the post-Tim Duncan period. They went 2-1 in opposition to the Blazers within the common season, and barring damage, San Antonio ought to advance with ease.

The Blazers are a very good story and have had a stunning season to make it to the playoffs for the primary time since buying and selling franchise legend Damian Lillard in 2023. Nonetheless, the Spurs are monster favorites for a purpose, and doubtless gained’t drop greater than a recreation on this collection.