The NBA playoffs are just around the corner and ahead of the action, Lucky Block previews the postseason with our best bets and predictions.
2024 NBA Playoffs Best Bets
- Boston Celtics to win NBA Championship @ 9/5
- Dallas Mavericks to win Western Conference @ 12/1
2024 NBA Playoffs Predictions
Boston Celtics to win NBA Championship @ 9/5
If the Celtics don’t take the spoils this year, it’d be a surprising third consecutive postseason disappointment from the 17-time NBA Champions – who are surely primed for a better effort in 2024.
Following Jayson Tatum’s untimely ankle injury in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year – where Boston were on the brink of becoming the first side to erase a 3-0 series deficit in the playoffs – the Celtics crashed out in devastating fashion and it became clear that changes were necessary.
GM Brad Stevens opted to trade beloved point guard Marcus Smart in return for big man Kristaps Porzingis, whilst Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon were used to pounce on the unforeseen availability of former NBA Champion Jrue Holiday.
Those moves have elevated the Celtics to an entirely new level in 2024, leading their conference by almost 15 games and they’ll own homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. This is undoubtedly their best chance at Banner 18 yet.
Boston own the NBA’s best record, point differential, offense and net rating – which suggests this is one of the better teams he Celtics have had in franchise history. They have all the pieces to do it, but they need to get themselves over the line.
Boston are odds-on to win the East and if successful there’s a good chance they’ll kick off the NBA Finals as favorites. It looks like the Celtics’ time in the sun is coming – and they’re worth having on side.
Dallas Mavericks to win Western Conference @ 12/1
The Dallas Mavericks are entering the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league. After a disappointing 2023 which saw the Mavs finish outside of the play-in picture shortly after acquiring Kyrie Irving, they’re starting to put the pieces together.
This side is no stranger to a deep playoff run either, having exited at the hands of the triumphant Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals two years ago. They have one of the NBA’s best players in Luka Doncic and a good supporting cast around him.
A late-season surge from Jason Kidd’s men will see Dallas line up against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round – arguably Doncic’s favorite team to play against.
The Mavericks have gone 16-2 in their last 18 outings and feeling good heading into the postseason should do wonders for this group.
2024 NBA Playoffs Odds
- Boston Celtics 9/5
- Denver Nuggets 3/1
- LA Clippers 7/1
- Milwaukee Bucks 8/1
- OKC Thunder 14/1
- Dallas Mavericks 22/1
- Phoenix Suns 22/1
- LA Lakers 30/1
- Minnesota Timberwolves 30/1
- Philadelphia 76ers 30/1
- Cleveland Cavaliers 35/1
- Miami Heat 35/1
