Potential NBA Playoff Series Odds & Picks

• Odds have been released on potential 2019-20 NBA playoff matchups
• The matchups are based on if there are no more NBA regular season games played and the postseason were to start today
• Read below for the odds, tips and analysis

It is now possible to bet on NBA Playoff series, with odds available on the matchups based on the current standings. It is working on the assumption that there will be no more regular season games played, and that all 16 teams will move into the playoffs.

With the money generated from televised post-season basketball, it seems fair to predict all eight first-round series to go ahead, and the prospect of any more regular season games being played is slim.

The Boston-Philly duel, Nets-Raptors clash and the Jazz-Thunder series will take center stage for this piece.

2020 NBA Playoffs First Round Series Odds

Odds taken Apr. 16th

Sixers and Celtics Meet Again

The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the favorites in the NBA Championship odds at the start of the year, but it’s been a wildly disappointing campaign to date for Brett Brown’s team. Their rival Celtics have enjoyed a much better year so far, despite consistently dealing with injuries.

Jayson Tatum has taken the leap. Jaylen Brown is developing into a top-level 3&D wing and Daniel Theis has proven to be a serviceable starting center. Kemba Walker’s health is a concern for Brad Stevens, though, and Gordon Hayward has been inconsistent after starting the year well.

The NBA’s hiatus could prove to benefit the Sixers if Ben Simmons can return from his back injury. The rest should be good for Joel Embiid, too. Missing the rest of the regular season is far from ideal, however, as it takes away precious time to work on that clunky offensive fit. Being thrown straight into a series against the slick Celtics is awkward.

On the other hand, the Celtics might be the best matchup for Philly, who won three of the four regular season games. Boston’s win in the most recent clash was emphatic, but the Sixers’ size (and the Embiid-Theis contest) could prove too much in a seven-game slog.

Unbeatable in Philadelphia and incompetent on the road, the Sixers are inconsistent to the extreme. That makes them a hard team to judge in a potential playoff series, particularly with the uncertainty over Simmons. It could be another epic battle, but the defensive ceiling and size makes the Sixers the better option in this series.

Pick: Sixers (+245)

Nets Look Good Value

Brooklyn is set to benefit as much as any team from the league’s suspension. The availability of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant remains a mystery, but with basketball at least a few weeks away, the chance of the All-NBA duo featuring in the post-season continues to increase. With that in mind, Brooklyn become a team to consider in playoff betting.

There’s a lot to throw in the mix here. The Nets were the same with or without Irving this season, though their ceiling is obviously higher with him in the team. No one knows what version of Durant will return if he takes the court. Brooklyn don’t have a permanent coach either after firing Kenny Atkinson. Toronto have been exceptional this season too, owning a 46-18 record.

Without Irving or Durant, the -1400 price is fair for the Raps to progress. The possibility of the duo taking the hardwood for the playoffs has to be taken into consideration, and it changes the equation somewhat. There’s guesswork to be done on when the season may return and how likely Irving and Durant are to play. The suspension needs to run for a while longer before it becomes probable they will be involved, but that seems inevitable at the moment despite the NBA’s eagerness to get the league up and running.

It’s far from a guaranteed win for the Nets if Durant and Irving return, of course. They do suddenly become a real threat. The Nets’ odds stood out immediately in this market despite the uncertainty. There’s clearly no value in Toronto at -1400, but Brooklyn could be worth a wager.

Pick: Nets (+825)

Back the Jazz

The Utah Jazz were a fringe title contender at the start of the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder were heading into an almighty rebuild with trade rumors circling Steven Adams, Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroeder. Utah are only a game ahead of OKC in the Western Conference standings and there’s very little to pick between the two teams.

Both are above average but unspectacular when it comes to offensive and defensive rating. Neither have a true top-end talent, but they have All-Star quality in Donovan Mitchell and Chris Paul. Adams and Rudy Gobert are limited yet effective.

What has been a slightly underwhelming year for the Jazz has been a great one for the Thunder. This matchup is far from a foregone conclusion, and potential conflict between Jazz players is something to keep in mind ahead of any bets involving Utah. Sports Illustrated reported just a few days ago that Mitchell is frustrated with Gobert.

Homecourt advantage, and a bit more depth, sees the odds understandably favor Utah. Mike Conley improved markedly before the league’s suspension and began to find his shot. The improved version of Conley elevates this Jazz team. This Thunder roster has defied expectations all season long, however, and it would be foolish to write them off in this one.

Wings are Oklahoma City’s weakness, but in that sense, Utah is a good matchup for them. Paul has been the best player across the two teams this season, and the streakiness of the Jazz this season shows they are vulnerable to be upset in the first round. OKC look a good price at +145.

Pick: Thunder (+145)