Are the Philadelphia 76ers and not the ballyhooed Brooklyn Nets going to finish first in the Eastern Conference? Is it possible the Milwaukee Bucks could catch – and surpass – both teams in the race for first place in the crowded Eastern Conference?
Out west, will the streaking Phoenix Suns stave off a Utah Jazz team that has been in first place virtually all season long after pulling into a virtual tie with their conference counterparts? Do the the red-hot Denver Nuggets have what it takes to win the Western Conference crown despite not having star guard Jamal Murray on the floor for the remainder of the season?
Can the LA Clippers pick up the level of their play to challenge for the conference title? In the same building, could the LA Lakers fall into the play-in tournament as they hit the new week reeling from three straight losses that have damaged their playoff hopes?
If you’re ready for some NBA playoff betting predictions, then consider your ticket punched. Let’s get right to it so you can plan your bets against their NBA Playoffs odds.
NBA Betting Analysis & Predictions for the 2021 Playoffs
Eastern Conference
In Like Flynn
- Philadelphia (43-21)
- Brooklyn (43-22)
- Milwaukee (40-24)
- New York Knicks (36-28)
- Atlanta (35-20)
- Miami (35-20)
If the season ended today, Philly, Brooklyn, Milwaukee and the New York Knicks are in like Flynn. Atlanta and Miami are almost assured of a playoff berth, even though either could end up as the seven seed and participating in the play-in tournament.
On The Play-In Bubble
- Boston (34-31)
- Charlotte (31-33)
- Indiana (30-33)
- Washington (29-35)
Boston is currently in sixth place in the East, but just one game behind both, Atlanta and Miami. Charlotte has LaMelo Ball back and I’m expecting the Hornets to reach the play-in tourney, likely against, Indiana, Washington and one of the aforementioned three teams.
Eastern Conference Predictions
Let me start by saying that I don’t trust underachieving Boston one iota this season, but I believe Charlotte will be very competitive in the postseason before bowing out. Atlanta could surprise and could the Knicks. For me though, I think Washington suddenly looks like a team no one wants to play. I’m going with Washington to advance out of the play-in. I also think it’s quite possible that Miami could get its act together with some playoff bully ball, much like last season.
Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Milwaukee all have the look of first round winners. While Miami has already proven they can beat Milwaukee in the postseason, I don’t see that happening if the two meet again in this year’s postseason. After the play-in tournament, I’m going with a final four of the Sixers, Nets, Bucks and…Miami (I guess).
Depending on the matchups, I’m going with Milwaukee opposite Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference finals. I won’t pick my conference champion just yet, but I see no reason why the Bucks can’t get past a defenseless Nets team.
On the Outside Looking In
- Toronto (27-38)
The Raptors are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, 2,5 games behind Washington. The Raptors have won six of 10, but I just don’t see them catching or surpassing the streaking Wizards.
Western Conference
In Like Flynn
- Phoenix (46-18)
- Utah (46-18)
- Denver (43-21)
- LA Clippers (43-22)
On The Play-In Bubble
- Dallas (36-28)
- LA Lakers (36-28)
- Portland (36-28)
- Memphis (32-31)
- Golden State (32-32)
- San Antonio (31-32)
Western Conference Predictions
Phoenix, Utah, Denver and the LA Clippers are all locks to finish in the top four. Dallas, the LA Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers are tied in a three-way fight for the fifth and sixth seeds, but I’m going with the streaking Blazers and Mavericks to get it done, leaving LeBron James and company participating in the play-in tournament. LA will almost surely be going up against a trio of teams that includes Memphis, Golden State and San Antonio. Of the four, I’ve got the Lakers and Warriors advancing, although it’s not out of the question that Memphis and San Antonio won’t challenge.
In the end, I’m going with the top four seeds out west to reach the conference quarterfinals. I don’t trust the Clippers and the Utah Jazz haven’t been the same team since losing superstar Donovan Mitchell. Phoenix looks as legitimate as any team in the league and the Suns make a habit of finishing close games under the guidance of my pick for league MVP, Chris Paul.
I’m torn between a pick for either Utah and Denver to reach the conference finals opposite Phoenix, so right now, I’ll leave it at that. The Phoenix Suns are the only team I have penciled in for a conference finals berth. Clearly, I’m not including LeBron James and the Lakers as a team that even reaches the conference finals, so there’s that prediction as well.
On the Outside Looking In
- New Orleans (29-35)
The Pelicans might have changed head coaches (foolishly, I might add), but New Orleans will be out of the playoffs for the second straight season despite having superstar Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have some serious question marks to answer this offseason, like, ‘Why the hell didn’t Stan Van Gundy give JJ Redick playing time?’
I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?
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