The 2024-25 NBA playoffs tip off on Tuesday with the play-in tournament, followed by the first round on Saturday. Winners of each best-of-seven series will advance to the conference semifinals.
Before the playoff action begins, what are the smartest bets to place? Which teams are being underestimated and could offer great value?
NBA betting experts Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander share their top picks and teams to watch.
One Must-Make Bet Before the Playoffs
Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Championship (+170)
I predicted the Thunder would take it all before the season, and my conviction hasn`t wavered. They are young, incredibly talented, healthy, and possess remarkable depth. This is the culmination of a five-year build-up, and their time is now. OKC`s second unit rivals many teams` starting lineups. — Alexander
Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA Championship (+1400)
When fully focused, especially with LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge, the Lakers are a formidable opponent. Despite having the fourth-best odds, the playoff pedigree of these stars makes them a strong bet. — Moody
Donovan Mitchell to win Eastern Conference Finals MVP (+275)
I believe the Cavaliers are at least co-favorites with the Celtics in the East, possibly even outright favorites given Jaylen Brown`s knee injury and Kristaps Porzingis` recent injury history. A Cavaliers` Eastern Conference Finals victory would undoubtedly be driven by Mitchell, particularly against the Celtics. In his last 10 games against Boston, Mitchell has averaged impressive numbers: 33.7 points per game on 49.0% shooting and 40.9% from three-point range. — Snellings
California to be the NBA Championship Winning State (+1000)
This unique bet from oddsmakers is intriguing. I`m impressed by how strong the California teams finished the season. Kawhi Leonard`s improved health for the Clippers is evident, and James Harden is in All-NBA form. The Warriors, despite the play-in, look dangerous again. The Lakers have rediscovered their offensive firepower. With the Lakers at +1400 and the Warriors with strong conference title odds, this bet offers multiple paths to a win. — McCormick
Boston Celtics to win the NBA Championship (+180)
While the Cavaliers had a better regular season, the Celtics have consistently been favored for the playoffs for good reason. They have championship experience, and until they are defeated, betting on the Celtics, even at these odds, seems like a smart move. — Karabell
Top Long-Shot Bets
Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA championship (+1400)
This bet is very tempting. Any team with LeBron and Luka cannot be dismissed. Although Anthony Davis`s defense is a loss, their `quarterback` play is elite. Austin Reaves has elevated his game, and players like Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith provide solid inside presence. While not the deepest team on paper, the Doncic-LeBron duo has the potential for a deep run. — Alexander
Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship (+600)
My long-shot championship picks are mostly in the West, but the Cavaliers stand out in the East. They are one of only two Eastern teams with a real shot, and the only one at long-shot odds. As a 64-win team with a +9.5 scoring margin, they have championship-caliber stats. Considering the Celtics` injury concerns, the Cavs at 6-1 are a long shot capable of winning it all. — Snellings
Lakers to make the NBA Finals (+600)
Despite no personal bias towards the Lakers, their playmaking ability is undeniable. Their defense needs to be exceptional, but their offensive firepower is undeniable, especially in a Western Conference that is uncertain beyond the Thunder. — McCormick
Denver Nuggets to win the NBA championship (+3000)
Ultimately, with Nikola Jokic consistently delivering triple-doubles, it might not matter who is coaching. The Nuggets have a seasoned roster, and the unexpected coaching change could even motivate the players. Don`t be surprised if Jokic leads them to the championship. — Karabell
Betting on the Top 3 Favorites: OKC, Boston, and Cleveland
Which favorite is the best bet?
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Eastern Conference path to the Finals is less challenging, and Cleveland finished the regular season with the top offensive rating and eighth-best defensive rating. Donovan Mitchell is expected to be healthy for the playoffs. The Cavaliers have good depth, strong shooting, All-Star guards, and excellent defensive big men in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. — Moody
Cavaliers: Primarily due to the better odds. While I still lean towards a Thunder-Celtics Finals, betting on favorites offers less value. Among the top three, the Cavaliers are the most appealing bet. — Karabell
Oklahoma City Thunder: Their offensive and defensive balance is reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty. While the Warriors had periods of elite defense, the Thunder`s dominance is collective, based on length, athleticism, youth, and toughness. Teams with this level of consistent dominance often finish strong. While the Celtics and Cavaliers are excellent, the Thunder are poised to set a new standard in the league. — McCormick
Undervalued Playoff Team
New York Knicks
The Knicks are often overlooked in the East, overshadowed by the Cavaliers and Celtics, partly due to their 0-8 record against these teams this season. However, with Jalen Brunson and their overall talent, they can defeat any team in a playoff series. With the third-best odds in the East at +1000, history is on their side. The last two No. 3 seeds to reach the Finals, the Warriors in 2022 and the Bucks in 2021, both won the championship. — Moody
LA Clippers
The Clippers have been consistently strong all season, showcasing their star-studded roster. Kawhi Leonard has enjoyed a healthy and productive season, Norman Powell has emerged, James Harden is playing well, Ivica Zubac is underrated, and Kris Dunn is a defensive asset. Derrick Jones Jr. adds depth off the bench. If Harden performs in the playoffs, the Clippers could be a surprise contender. — Alexander
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks might face a first-round exit, which wouldn`t be shocking. But if Damian Lillard returns early in the playoffs and they make a run, potentially upsetting top East teams, would it be a surprise? The odds suggest so, but these long odds might be worth considering. — Karabell
Finals MVP Bet Right Now
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+2800)
Much attention is on the Thunder, Celtics, and Cavaliers` superstars for Finals MVP. But odds like these for Doncic, who led the Mavericks to the Finals previously, are too good to ignore. If the Lakers go all the way, Doncic will be central to their success. He averages impressive playoff stats: 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. — Moody
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+175)
While Jokic had a historic season, Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the regular-season MVP for leading OKC to a league-best record. Finals MVP usually comes from the winning team, and if the Thunder win the championship as I predict, Gilgeous-Alexander is their most likely MVP candidate. — Alexander
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (+1600)
Brown was not only the NBA Finals MVP last season but also the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. His odds might be slightly lower due to a knee injury, but most players are dealing with something at this point. The Celtics have proven themselves, and Brown has proven himself. Sometimes, it`s best not to overcomplicate things. — Karabell
Additional Bets to Consider
Houston Rockets to win the championship (+8000)
If I had extra money for a long shot, it would be on the Rockets—the No. 2 seed in the West—to win it all (or the West at +2500). They are a young, ascending team, similar to where the Thunder were recently. Ime Udoka is an excellent coach, and they have talented young players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith, along with veteran Fred VanVleet. They are strong defensively, can score against anyone, are well-coached, and their odds make them a very appealing sleeper pick. — Alexander
California to be the NBA Championship Winning State (+1000)
This bet is interesting because the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, and Kings are all in the playoffs. The Lakers are the strongest contenders in this group, but the playoffs are always unpredictable. The Warriors, like the Lakers, have championship experience. — Moody