As the madness of March ends, the NBA postseason begins.
Let’s check out the odds for the first round of the playoffs, at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 18.
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EAST FIRST ROUND
No. 8 ORLANDO (+380) vs. No. 1 DETROIT (-500)
Season series: TIED 2-2
GAME 1 — ORL @ DET (April 19)
Spread: Pistons -8.5
Moneyline: Pistons -325, Magic +400
O/U: 218.5
What to know: The Pistons aren’t a huge favorite in this series, and it’s probably because Orlando is one of the few teams that can match Detroit’s youth and athleticism. Also, what is the status of Cade Cunningham? He played three games late in the regular season after returning from a collapsed lung. In those games, he averaged 11.3 points on 44.4% shooting and 18.2% shooting from 3. His form will likely determine the series.
No. 7 PHILADELPHIA (+600) vs. No. 2 BOSTON (-900)
Season series: TIED 2-2
GAME 1 — PHI @ BOS (April 19)
Spread: Celtics -12.5
Moneyline: Celtics -800, 76ers +550
O/U: 213.5
What to know: There is really only one thing to know when it comes to this series. These teams played four times this year and Jayson Tatum didn’t play in any of those games. The Celtics are 13-3 since Tatum’s return, and have only lost once at home with him on the court. Is Boston staring at a 2-0 lead in this series?
No. 6 ATLANTA (+220) vs. No. 3 NEW YORK (-275)
Season series: NYK 2-1
GAME 1 — ATL @ NYK (April 18)
Spread: Knicks -5.5
Moneyline: Knicks -225, Hawks +185
O/U: 217.5
What to know: Oddly enough, in their three regular-season matchups, no home team earned a victory, which could bode well for Atlanta, considering New York has home-court advantage — right? In addition, those three games were decided by a total of just 18 points. In fact, despite losing the season series, the Hawks actually outscored the Knicks by six points across those three games.
No. 5 TORONTO (+550) vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND (-800)
CLE leads 1-0
GAME 2 — TOR @ CLE (April 20)
Spread: Cavs -8.5
Moneyline: Cavs -340, Raptors +270
O/U: 224.5
What to know: A 36-22 third quarter pretty much sealed Game 1 for the Cavaliers, after they led by seven at half. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell combined for 54 points and 14 assists on 50% shooting. Not a bad playoff debut for the star backcourt.
WEST FIRST ROUND
No. 8 PHOENIX (+1300) vs. No. 1 OKLAHOMA CITY (-3000)
Season series: OKC 3-2
GAME 1 — PHX @ OKC (April 19)
Spread: Thunder -14.5
Moneyline: Thunder -1100, Suns +700
O/U: 215.5
What to know: These two squads played an extra game in the regular season due to the NBA Cup, and one of their matchup came in the last game of the regular season, with both teams resting their stars. Still, Phoenix did pull off a 3-point win over the mighty Thunder back in January. Still, at DraftKings, OKC is favored to sweep the Suns.
No. 7 PORTLAND (+1000) vs. No. 2 SAN ANTONIO (-2000)
Season series: SAS 2-1
GAME 1 — POR @ SAS (April 19)
Spread: Spurs -10.5
Moneyline: Spurs -535, Blazers +400
O/U: 222.5
What to know: Victor Wembanyama did not play in any of the three games against the Blazers during the regular season, and San Antonio was still able to earn two double-digit wins. The Spurs went 12-6 without their star this season, and 50-14 with him.
No. 6 MINNESOTA (+450) vs. No. 3 DENVER (-600)
DEN leads 1-0
GAME 2 — MIN @ DEN (April 20)
Spread: Nuggets -6.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -245, Wolves +200
O/U: 230.5
What to know: Denver won a choppy Game 1 behind 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists from Nikola Jokić. However, the most telling stat-line was that Anthony Edwards shot 7-for-19 from the field. Can his knee hold up enough to give the Wolves a chance?
No. 5 HOUSTON (-575) vs. No. 4 LA LAKERS (+400)
Season series: LAL 2-1
GAME 1 — HOU @ LAL (April 18)
Spread: Rockets -2.5
Moneyline: Rockets -135, Lakers +114
O/U: 207.5
What to know: Misfortune struck the Lakers at the end of the regular season, with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves both suffering injuries that could keep them out of the first round of the playoffs. In the Lakers’ two wins over Houston this season, Dončić scored 40 and 36 points.