Historical NBA Odds to Make Playoffs from Past Seasons

• This page lists the odds to make the NBA playoffs from all past seasons since 2020
• The seasons are listed below in reverse-chronological order
• Looking for the latest NBA playoff odds?

---

Starting with the 2019-20 season, SBD has annually tracked the NBA divisional odds each season for all six divisions in the league. This page preserves the NBA division odds from each season since that time, allowing readers to look back and see how the odds progressed from opening to the last game of the regular season.

Use the jump links below to go to a specific NBA season:

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs Odds Movement

 

The latest notes on NBA Playoff odds movement for the Western Conference:

• April 11 – Just a month ago, the Grizzlies were getting -10000 to make the playoffs. They’re still getting -600 to qualify, but unless there’s a shakeup over the last weekend of the season, it’ll likely be via the Play-In Tournament.
• March 5 – The Mavericks’ playoff odds have taken a massive hit. Following the Luka Doncic trade and Kyrie Irving’s injury, the Mavs odds have flipped from -550 to +525.

Final Odds to Make the 2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs

Odds last recorded on April 14th, 2025 at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

 

2025 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs Odds Movement

 

Some of the more recent changes in NBA Playoff odds for the Eastern Conference include:

• April 11 – The four Eastern Conference Play-In teams are set and its the Southeast Division winners Orlando (-900) who, along with Atlanta (-245), are favorites to make the playoffs.
• March 5 – The Pistons’ have seen a massive swing in their playoff odds since early January. Averaging just +483 two month’s ago, they’re now getting -20000 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Final Odds to Make the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs

Odds last recorded on April 14th, 2025 at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

---

Odds to Make 2024 NBA Playoffs in Western Conference

 

The latest notes on NBA Playoff odds movement for the Western Conference:

• [Mar 26]: There will be a battle to both avoid and make the Play-In Tournament in the West, with Sacramento (-488), Dallas (-1050), and Phoenix (-278) fighting for 6th place and a playoff spot; and Golden State (+315) and Houston (+700) for 10th, just for a sniff at the postseason.
• [Oct 19]: The 2022-23 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets open with the best odds to make the 2023 NBA playoffs. Strangely, eleven teams are currently getting better than even odds to make the eight-team playoffs.

Western Conference Odds to Make the 2024 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of April 10 at ESPN BET Sportsbook. 

 

Odds to Make 2024 NBA Playoffs in Eastern Conference

Some of the more recent changes in NBA Playoff odds for the Eastern Conference include:

• [Mar 26]: Playoff odds for both the Pacers and Heat are OTB are sportsbooks, despite how one of those two teams will likely fall into the Play-In Tournament. Either team will likely be battling with the 76ers (-850), Bulls (+375), and Hawks (+600) for the final two playoff spots.
• [Oct 19]: The Celtics and Bucks are already near-locks to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs, as both teams open at -8000 to qualify. The eighth and final spot will likely go down to the white, as the Pacers (+120), Nets (+145), Bulls (+160), Magic (+165), and Raptors (+185) all open with odds marginally different than one another.

Eastern Conference Odds to Make the 2024 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of April 10 at ESPN BET Sportsbook. 

---

Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs in Western Conference

• August 28: LeBron’s Lakers have opened as -260 favorites to make the 2023 NBA playoffs after James missed out last year for the first time since 2005.

Western Conference Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of January 12, 2023, at Barstool Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs in Eastern Conference

• August 28: The Cavaliers (-132) are the only team that didn’t make it last season that is favored to make it this season (per the preseason odds).

Eastern Conference Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of January 12, 2023, at Barstool Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. 

---

Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs in Western Conference

• August 28: LeBron’s Lakers have opened as -260 favorites to make the 2023 NBA playoffs after James missed out last year for the first time since 2005.

Western Conference Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of January 12, 2023, at Barstool Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs in Eastern Conference

• August 28: The Cavaliers (-132) are the only team that didn’t make it last season that is favored to make it this season (per the preseason odds).

Eastern Conference Odds to Make 2023 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of January 12, 2023, at Barstool Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. 

---

2022 Odds to Make NBA Playoffs in Western Conference

• [March 28] The only real drama comes for the Play-In Tournament, as the Lakers have fallen behind New Orleans and have the Spurs right on their tail. LeBron’s team is now at odds of +570 to just make the playoffs
• [March 9] With the Lakers mired in their worst season employing LeBron James, their odds to make the postseason have faded to +270
• [February 3] The biggest story in the West is the currently 24-27 Lakers, who began the season as heavy odds-on favorites to make the playoffs. What will their odds be when re-posted?
• [December 6] The most surprising move of the first month and a half of action may be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who Chris Finch has on the fringes of the Playoff race. After being listed at odds of +600 preseason, the Wolves are now down to an average of +150 to make the postseason
• [October 18]  Zion Williamson’s return date is still TBD, lengthening the Pelicans odds to make the playoffs from +170 to +190
• [August 17] With last season’s top Western teams all pretty much locks in the odds to make the playoffs, the one team to make a major move is a resurgent Golden State Warriors squad – who are -600 to return to the postseason with a return of a healthy Klay Thompson to the lineup

Western Conference Odds to Make 2021 NBA Playoffs

Odds as of March 28th at DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Odds to Make NBA Playoffs in Eastern Conference

• [March 28] While the Nets are still the 9th seed, they’re super heavy favorites to make the playoffs. The Raptors are currently in the 6th seed but just +175 at FanDuel to make the Play-In Tournament
• [March 3] Despite sitting outside the top eight, the Nets are still whopping -550 favorites to make the postseason
• [February 3] As the playoff shape becomes clearer, we have some surprises: the Hawks may miss the postseason after a surprising conference finals run last season, while the Bulls are now locks in the surprise of the season. The Raptors keep on fighting as well, now as short as +100 to make the postseason
• [December 6] Buoyed by the improved play of LaMelo Ball and the Most Improved Player-worthy campaign of Miles Bridges – the Hornets are now at odds of -110 to make the postseason
• [October 18] The market is bullish on the Bulls to make the playoffs, as Chicago’s odds have shortened to -185
• [August 17] After spending much of last season on the bubble before climbing in during the second half of the season, the Heat have opened as strong -900 near locks to make the postseason. The Knicks are also favored to return to the postseason buoyed by the signings of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier

Eastern Conference Odds to Make 2021 NBA Playoffs

---

2021 Odds to Make NBA Playoffs in Western Conference

• [May 10] The Warriors have a firm hold on the 8 seed as Steph Curry continues to score at will, and they look destined for a 7 vs 8 game against the Lakers. Their odds have shifted back to -106 to safely reach the postseason
• [May 5] The Lakers in danger of missing the playoffs?! While it’s very unlikely, oddsmakers have re-posted odds for LeBron James’ team to either make or miss the postseason with a chance they will participate in the play-in tournament. Extremely heavy -3335 odds suggest they will safely be in the field.
• [April 28] On the heels of a complete drubbing by the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, the Warriors have faded back to plus money to reach the playoffs, at odds of +124 on average to make the postseason
• [April 20] The playoff picture is much clearly in the West than the East, with the top six all locked in and the Mavericks comfortably in the 7th seed. Led by the record breaking scoring of Steph Curry, the Warriors are currently in play-on tournament position, and have equal -113 odds to make or miss the playoffs
• [March 23] After their shaky start, the Mavericks have moved toward lock status, now at average odds of -1667
• [March 4] Winners of 8 of their last 10 and having risen to the #2 seed in the West, Phoenix has all but locked up a playoff berth, now at odds of -3000 to make the playoffs since the 2009-10 season
• [February 18] Off of their stunning comeback win against Miami to move three games over .500, and with Steph Curry playing at an MVP level once again – the Warriors are now at odds of -110 to get into the postseason
• [February 4] With the Lakers and Clippers now off the board as all but locks to make the postseason, the middle of the pack can still be wagered on and has tightened up, as you can see in the odds below
• [January 15] With James Harden now dealt to Brooklyn, the Rockets have faded to plus odds to reach the postseason – at an average price of +172
• [December 21] Odds haven’t changed as the season is set to begin tomorrow, as no major injuries or news has come out of the preseason
• [December 9] Eight teams have opened as odds-on favorites to make the postseason in the West, not leaving much room for an off the radar squad to sneak into the field of eight

Western Conference Odds to Make 2021 NBA Playoffs

Odds taken May 10th

Odds to Make 2021 Western Conference Play-In Tournament

• [December 9] The Grizzlies, Rockets and Warriors have opened as the biggest challengers to the Suns and Trail Blazers for the last two seeds in the West

Western Conference Odds to Make 2021 Play-In Tournament

Odds were available preseason

Odds to Make NBA Playoffs in Eastern Conference

• [May 10] With news of tension and turmoil enveloping in the Pacers locker room, they seem to be on the outside looking in for the playoff race, now at odds of +273
• [May 5] The race for the final spots in the East are down to three teams, with the Pacers fading to third place while the Wizards odds have shortened to +148
• [April 28] It’s getting dangerous for the Charlotte Hornets, who eagerly await the return of LaMelo Ball to help fill the void left by the injury Gordon Hayward. Sitting at 30-31, the Hornets are now at odds of +122 on average to reach the playoffs
• [April 20] With their consistent resting of Lowry, VanVleet and Siakam, the Raptors seem firmly in tank mode and their odds to make the playoffs have vaulted to a distant +695. The Knicks, Hornets and Hawks have moved to minus odds to make the postseason, while the Wizards and Bulls battle for the final spot
• [March 23] With the Raptors on a nine game losing streak and potentially in sellers mode, their odds to reach the playoffs have dropped from -750 to just an average of -114
• [March 4] In a wide open Eastern Conference, nearly all teams are still alive. The Wizards odds to make the playoffs have improved all the way to +270 during their 7-3 resurgence over the last ten games
• [February 18] Is this the year the Knicks finally break their playoff drought? Tom Thibodeau’s squad is now at odds of +198 to reach the postseason
• [February 4th] The hangover off of the bubble Finals appearance is real for the Miami Heat, who currently sit at 7-14, and 13th place in the Eastern Conference. They’re still -300 in odds to reach the playoffs, but have quickly faded from the -700 they were a few weeks ago, and -2000 they were on opening night
• [January 15] Even with the Raptors starting 3-8 on the season, they are still at average odds of -178 to make the playoffs
• [December 9] With the addition of Russell Westbrook alongside Bradley Beal open as odds-on favorite to make the Eastern Conference playoffs alongside seven other Eastern teams

Eastern Conference Odds to Make 2021 NBA Playoffs

 

Odds to Make 2021 Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament

• [December 9] Despite perennially being among the top five in the conference the past few years, both the Sixers and Raptors sport +280 odds to have to potentially fight through the play-in tourney at open

Odds to Make 2021 Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament

---

2020 Odds to Make Playoffs: Western Conference

[July 30] Although the Trail Blazers have plenty of ground to make up in the seeding games, the re-addition of Jusuf Nurkic to their lineup has shortened their odds to make the playoffs to +340

[July 7] With no notable absences announced as of yet for the teams battling to get into the playoffs in the West, the odds have remain flat

[June 30] While most odds have remained fairly flat for the Western teams to make the playoffs, the Spurs have seen their average price take a dip, to odds of +1500

[June 9] With the postseason race set to begin in Orlando with just one spot available for the 8 seed, Memphis is the odds-on favorite to round out the West playoff field

[February 17] The race for the 8 seed in the West is now down to the Pelicans, Grizzlies, & Trail Blazers with odds bunched close together

[February 10] San Antonio’s streak of 22 consecutive postseasons could be coming to an end, with odds of only +450 to make this year’s playoffs

[January 28] The Grizzlies & Thunder have completed the biggest turnarounds so far this season, and are now near locks to make the playoffs in the West

[October 18] Just a week before tip off has seen major movement across the board, with average odds for all teams shifting

[October 4] As the season approaches, the Warriors odds have improved towards virtual locks for playoff inclusion, to an average -400.

[August 29] After a slight lengthening in the wake of the Cousins injury, the Lakers average odds have improved to -840.

[August 16] The Nuggets have solidified themselves as a virtual playoff lock, seeing their odds improve from -500 on July 15, to -800. Following the injury to DeMarcus Cousins the Lakers odds have also faded to -280.

[July 15] No surprises at the top as the Clippers (-1500) have the shortest odds; seeing the young Pelicans (+250) in the top ten portends a fun race for the #7 and #8 spots, though.

Western Conference Odds to Make 2020 NBA Playoffs

Odds taken July 30th for all teams available

 

 

Odds to Make Playoffs: Eastern Conference

[July 30] Already a distant longshot without Bradley Beal, the Wizards odds to steal a spot from the Nets or Magic have lengthened considerably, to +2800

[July 7] Bradley Beal’s shoulder injury knocking him out of the bubble have significantly hit Washington’s odds, and Brooklyn has fallen behind Orlando with Spencer Dinwiddie officially being rules out due to COVID-19

[June 30] With confirmation that Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and now Wilson Chandler are all out of the Orlando restart, the Nets and Magic are co-favorites to make the postseason at -6500

[June 9] The Magic and Nets will likely hold onto their spot at the bottom of the playoff field, as the Wizards are a lofty +900 to sneak in

[February 17] No real movement as we enter the All-Star break, as Washington will need a serious surge to push Orlando for the 8 seed

[February 10] Despite both teams recent struggles, Orlando and Brooklyn are near locks to get into the postseason, due to the ineptitude of the rest of the East’s bottom teams

[January 28] The market couldn’t of been more wrong about Atlanta, as they are now +2000 to make the postseason going into the 2nd half of the year

[October 18] The Atlanta Hawks average odds to make the playoffs have shortened down to +200

[October 4] The Bulls average odds have improved to +280, as their young core attempts to push for the #8 seed this season.

[August 29] While the Bucks and Sixers are the heaviest favorites in the conference, the Celtics are now a clear third, with average odds of -1600

[August 16} With the Raptors deciding to keep their team together despite Kawhi Leonard taking his talents to the Clippers, their odds have improved to -400.

[July 15]: The Bucks have opened with the shortest odds in the East (-1500), while the now Kawhi-less Raptors barely squeaked into the top five at -300.

Eastern Conference Odds to Make 2020 NBA Playoffs

Odds taken July 30th for all teams available