The Start of Postseason Basketball

After a long, action-packed season, the NBA playoffs are finally here! With many new and upcoming teams in the playoffs, this year seems like the perfect year for basketball in April going into the summer. 

As the play-in tournament has been completed, we can now get a look at the first round matchups for both the East and West.

WEST:

Lakers vs. Grizzlies

Odds: 

Grizzlies -135

Lakers +115

Even though the Grizzlies seem to be favorites at the two seed, the play-in tournament hasn’t given them luck, as they will have to face LeBron and the LA Lakers, who are not your average 7 seed. Expect this series to go to a possible Game 7, with tons of starpower on both sides.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves

Odds:

Nuggets -600

Timberwolves +400

The No. 1 seed Nuggets face the No. 8 seed Timberwolves in their first showdown. Denver is the clear favorite, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Yet, the season series between these two teams was split; two wins a piece for each team. After trading for Rudy Gobert in the offseason, the Timberwolves struggled mightily after being one of the favorites in the West this year. However, no team can be counted out, and a good Timberwolves team can catch the Nuggets.

Suns vs. Clippers

Odds:

Suns -500

Clippers +385

After going 64-18 in the 21-22 season, and making the finals the year prior, it is not wrong to say that this year was disappointing for the Suns by looking at the record. However, after a blockbuster trade where the Nets cleared their stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant from Brooklyn, the Suns are the favorites to be the victors in the West. But, they face a tough, defensive-minded Clippers team with Kawhi Leonard, who has shown he can win a championship with both the Spurs and Raptors. This will certainly be a series to watch in the upcoming week.

Kings vs. Warriors

Odds:

Kings +230

Warriors -300

Being the defending champs, the Warriors are going to be another favorite from the West. But, they face a fan-favorite Kings team who will give them tons of problems. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson lead the Warriors, while the Kings are headed by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. This will certainly be an incredible series, with the winner having a good chance to make the WCF.

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EAST:

Cavaliers vs. Knicks

Odds:

Cavaliers -200

Knicks +160

In a top-heavy East, the Cavs and Knicks will have most likely the most competitive series of the first round. After trading for Donavan Mitchell, the Cavs are looking to restore their dominance in the East. However, a former Knicks team who seemed to be in the dumps looks promising, as Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barett look to win the franchise’s first playoff series since 2013.

Bucks vs. Heat

Odds:

Bucks -1200

Heat +750

The Bucks, who are led by MVP candidate Giannis Antentokounmpo, are the favorites in the East; while the Heat, who have struggled this year, look to create some sort of momentum. Jrue Holiday, one of the most underrated players in the league, and Tyler Herro, a young star, will certainly be a good matchup to watch. The Bucks should easily win this series, but anything is possible.

76ers vs. Nets

Odds:

76ers -1600

Nets +900

The 76ers are a star-studded team led by Joel Embiid and James Harden, while they face a Nets team who has fallen off after the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant trades. However, Mikeal Bridges has found himself in a lead role after leaving the Suns, but he will have to play big if he wants to help his team win this series. Being the most lopsided first round series in the league, the 76ers should handle this one easily.

Hawks vs. Celtics

Odds:

Celtics -1000

Hawks +650

The Celtics, a number 2 seed in the East, was in the NBA finals last year and lost to the Warriors. With the Celtics having more playoff experience, they are favored to make it to the finals again. The Celtics also have a future MVP candidate, Jayson Tatum, who has had plenty of playoff experience. Tatum has been on the Celtics since 2018 and made the playoffs every year since. On the other hand, the Hawks have figured out how to win more games on the road this year. Last year, the Hawks fell short in the playoffs because of how many losses they had on the road. If the Hawks can win on the road against the Celtics, that might be the key to win a few games, possibly the series. Overall, the Celtics obviously are the better team, but the Hawks can give them trouble.

The 2022-23 NBA season has been all the fans could ask for and more, so these playoffs will shape to be a historic year for the limitless threes, crowd-silencing dunks, thunderous blocks, and everything in between.

(All odds courtesy of Bet MGM)