It is hard to recall the last time we were unable to name all the NBA Playoffs matchups until the final day of the regular season. What an end to the regular season it has been and if we were to judge the upcoming NBA Playoffs by the great vibe the regular season has ended with, then we are up for an exciting postseason where anything is possible.
Few days of rest and chance to take a deep breath an off we go. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time to tip-off the 2017/2018 NBA Playoffs and this is a perfect opportunity to break down every matchup and look at the opening odds, giving you the chance to grab the best bets on time.
WESTERN CONFERENCE MATCHUPS PREVIEWS
Houston Rockets (1) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (8)
- Game 1 — Timberwolves at Rockets, Sunday, April 15 at 9 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 2 — Timberwolves at Rockets, Wednesday, April 18 at 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — Rockets at Timberwolves, Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 4 — Rockets at Timberwolves, Monday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Timberwolves at Rockets, Wednesday, April 25 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Rockets at Timberwolves, Friday, April 27 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Timberwolves at Rockets, Sunday, April 29 (TBD)
Series outlook: The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the season 2004 after defeating the Denver Nuggets 112-106 in overtime on Wednesday night. Now they get ready to take on the best team in the league, the Houston Rockets. The Sportsbooks are offering -1315 odds on the Rockets, while the Wolves are given +615 to win this series. Just as the odds suggest, this should be a no-brainer as Jimmy Butler will stand no chance of pulling some heroics against a very solid Rockets D. Towns should dominate the paint (if given the ball). On the other side, Harden will be too hard to defend and the Rockets will win this series in 5 games. Luc Mbah a Moute will skip the first round due to a dislocated shoulder.
Golden State Warriors (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)
- Game 1 — Spurs at Warriors, Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. (ABC)
- Game 2 — Spurs at Warriors, Monday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — Warriors at Spurs, Thursday, April 19 at 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 4 — Warriors at Spurs, Sunday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Spurs at Warriors, Tuesday, April 24 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Warriors at Spurs, Thursday, April 26 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Spurs at Warriors, Saturday, April 28 (TNT)
Series outlook: The San Antonio Spurs were threatened of missing the postseason for the first time after 20 consecutive appearances in the NBA Playoffs. However, Gregg Popovich and his team somehow managed to squeeze their presence in the postseason and now they will lock horns with the defending NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors. Despite the fact that the Warriors will miss their star player, Steph Curry, for the entire first round, they are still the heavy favorites to win this series with -1750 odds. On the other side, the Spurs could pull the Kawhi Leonard card out of their sleeves and try to surprise the Warriors (highly unlikely ), but unless a miracle happens, their +710 odds are perfectly describing their chances of winning the series. Warriors will win 4-2.
Portland Trail Blazers (3) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (6)
- Game 1 — Pelicans at Trail Blazers, Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 2 — Pelicans at Trail Blazers, Tuesday, April 17 at 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — Trail Blazers at Pelicans, Thursday, April 19 at 9 p.m. (NBA TV)
- Game 4 — Trail Blazers at Pelicans, Saturday, April 21 at 5 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Pelicans at Trail Blazers, Tuesday, April 24 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Trail Blazers at Pelicans, Thursday, April 26 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Pelicans at Trail Blazers, Saturday, April 28 (TNT)
Series outlook: The Trail Blazers and the Pelicans split their regular season series with 2 wins each, but now things will get serious and one team will come out on top. Although the Blazers experienced a dip in their form towards the end of the season, their win over the Jazz in the regular-season finale was enough to secure them the third-best record in West. The odds on this matchup are suggesting the Blazers as a slight favorite, giving you the opportunity to earn $100 on a $180 initial investment. On the other side, the Pelicans would bring you $140 on a $100 investment. Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic are playing in great form, but the Pelicans have a few guys stepping up lately, especially Nikola Mirotic and Rajon Rondo. If DeMarcus Cousins was not forced to undergo a season-ending surgery, the odds would surely look different. This is one of those matchups that could be decided in 7 games. Blazers win the series with 4-3.
Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
- Game 1 — Jazz at Thunder, Sunday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 2 — Jazz at Thunder, Wednesday, April 18 at 8 p.m. (NBA TV)
- Game 3 — Thunder at Jazz, Saturday, April 21 at 10 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 4 — Thunder at Jazz, Monday, April 23 at 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Jazz at Thunder, Wednesday, April 25 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Thunder at Jazz, Friday, April 27 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Jazz at Thunder, Sunday, April 29 (TBD)
Series Outlook: Russell Westbrook has done it again. For the 2nd consecutive season, Westbrook has finished the regular season averaging a triple-double with 25.4 ppg, 10.1 apg, and 10.2 apg. However, basketball is a team sport and all the individual accomplishments don’t count if your team is not winning. Loaded with star-power, the Thunder will have plenty to prove and if there was a moment Westbrook, Hoodie Melo, and PG had to come together and propel their team to success, it is the NBA Playoffs. And their road to the glory will start with the Utah Jazz, who are led by the rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz played surprisingly well during the regular season, and despite all the hype over their great performances, I think that they will see an early exit from the NBA Playoffs, only because of the lack of experience. Jazz are given a very solid +110 odds to win the series, while the Thunder opens the series as a -140 favorites to win. Go with the Thunder 4-2.
EASTERN CONFERENCE MATCHUPS PREVIEWS
Toronto Raptors (1) vs. Washington Wizards (8)
- Game 1 — Wizards at Raptors, Saturday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 2 — Wizards at Raptors, Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
- Game 3 — Raptors at Wizards, Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Game 4 — Raptors at Wizards, Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) —Wizards at Raptors, Wednesday, April 25 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Raptors at Wizards, Friday, April 27 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Wizards at Raptors, Sunday, April 29 (TBD)
Series outlook: It is time for DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to end their postseason “curse” and show that they are finally ready to take over the East. Owning the 3rd-best offensive rating, the Raptors stormed past their competition in the East, finishing up the regular season with a 59-23 record. Now they will take on the Washington Wizards, who will be reinforced with their star John Wall, who is still not at his best, recovering from the mid-season knee injury. The Wizards could create much more troubles for the Raptors than the odds suggest (+370), knowing that they have beaten the team from Canada already twice during the regular season. The Raptors (-590) will win only if they keep their calm, share the ball more, and stay away from too many isolations plays. Raptors win the series 4-2.
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (7)
- Game 1 — Bucks at Celtics, Sunday, April 15 at 1 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 2 — Bucks at Celtics, Tuesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — Celtics at Bucks, Friday, April 20 at 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 4 — Celtics at Bucks, Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m. (ABC)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Bucks at Celtics, Tuesday, April 24 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Celtics at Bucks, Thursday, April 26 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Bucks at Celtics, Saturday, April 28 (TNT)
Series Outlook: The Boston Celtics finished the regular season with a 55-27 record, despite the fact that they played 81 games without Gordon Hayward. Now, their other star player, Kyrie Irving, will also be forced to sit out the remainder of the season with a knee injury, while Marcus Smart is also expected the entire month of April. This is a perfect scenario for the Milwaukee Bucks who will be led by the Greek sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Celtics, if healthy, would without a question be my favorite to win the series, but, taking all things in consideration, I think that the Bucks will be the upset of the first round and will actually advance into the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs. Despite all the injuries, the Celtics are still a -190 favorites to win the series, but, as noted, this is a great chance to beat the Books and cash-in heavily on the Bucks (+145). Bucks win the series 4-3.
Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Miami Heat (6)
- Game 1 — Heat at 76ers, Saturday, April 14 at 8 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 2 — Heat at 76ers, Monday, April 16 at 8 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — 76ers at Heat, Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 4 — 76ers at Heat, Saturday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Heat at 76ers, Tuesday, April 24 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — 76ers at Heat, Thursday, April 26 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Heat at 76ers, Saturday, April 28 (TNT)
Series Outlook: I didn’t think that I would be saying this for a long time, but the Philadelphia 76ers (-425) are finally looking like a team that will take the NBA by a storm in years to come. This young team has the tail and the head and is loaded with talent on every position. There are so many options offensively, that will create headaches to even the best teams in the league. Don’t forget that the Sixers wrapped up their regular season play on a 16-game winning streak. Not bad going into the NBA Playoffs. On the other side, the Miami Heat (+285), caught some self-confidence after returning their hero Dwyane Wade back, but that will not be enough to pass the first round. Whiteside is one of the players the Heat could build their future around, but his low-post presence will not be enough to lead the Heat past the first round. Philadelphia 76ers win the series 4-1.
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Indiana Pacers (5)
- Game 1 — Pacers at Cavaliers, Sunday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
- Game 2 — Pacers at Cavaliers, Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 3 — Cavaliers at Pacers, Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 4 — Cavaliers at Pacers, Sunday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary) — Pacers at Cavaliers, Wednesday, April 25 (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary) — Cavaliers at Pacers, Friday, April 27 (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary) — Pacers at Cavaliers, Sunday, April 29 (TBD)
Series Outlook: Can LeBron James reach his 8th straight finals appearance or will the King show signs of aging? It will be interesting to see how the Cleveland Cavaliers respond after many ups and downs throughout the season and after trading almost the entire roster not that long ago. Their first-round matchup, Indiana Pacers, should be an easy task to handle, but things will get much more exciting once they lock horns with the teams like Raptors or the Sixers. The newly acquired Clarkson, Nance Jr., Hill, and Hood are nice additions, but LeBron James will have to do wonders again if the Cavs want to reach the Finals. Victor Oladipo had a nice season with the Pacers, but his team will advance to the next round of the NBA Playoffs, only if the Cavs fall apart. The Pacers do play at a much faster pace compared to the Cavs, and this could hurt the Cleveland team. Still, the Cavs are heavily favored to win the series with the opening odds at -1030, while on the other side, the Pacers are given +535 of winning the series. Cleveland Cavaliers win the series 4-1.
