Shane McNichol picks out his best bets and predicts every first-round matchup ahead of the 2023 NBA playoffs.
All the latest NBA odds can be found on the Betway sportsbook. Before finalising your online sports betting selections, make sure to check out our expert’s NBA picks and NBA predictions.
Eastern Conference
My pick: Milwaukee Bucks {ODDS:967602297:2.10}
There’s not much value on these odds, yet it’s hard to disagree that the Bucks are best positioned to come out of the top-heavy Eastern Conference. By safely securing the top seed, not only did Milwaukee guarantee home-court advantage against Boston or Philadelphia in a potential Eastern Conference Finals series, the Bucks also ensured they’d only need to beat one of those two threats.
In theory, Milwaukee should have little trouble in the first two rounds, entering the Conference Finals rested, while either Boston or Philly limps in after outdueling their hated East Coast rival.
Best value: Philadelphia 76ers {ODDS:967602299:5.50}
Forgive me for a little favoritism for my hometown team here, but its hard to see why the Sixers should have double the odds of Boston. Yes, the Celtics won three of four meetings this season against Philadelphia, but some context makes that edge seem less appealing. One of those wins came opening night in October, with both teams changing since then. In two February wins over the Sixers, Boston shot an unsustainable 49 per cent from long range.
Philly’s got the best player on the floor in that series and the only player able to potentially stand toe-to-toe with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Joel Embiid. That leg up is worth a flier.
Western Conference
My pick: Golden State Warriors {ODDS:967605533:4.00}
Close your eyes and throw a dart on this one. The West is truly wild. There’s no team you can feel safe picking, even to advance to the third round of the playoffs. The Suns are the most talented group, yet would need to figure out life with Kevin Durant on the fly.
The Nuggets need to prove their style of play has staying power in the postseason. The Lakers can’t seem to go two weeks without a major injury and the Clippers already have one, with Paul George sidelined. The Grizzlies still feel a year away from truly contending.
The Warriors have been dismal on the road this season, yet maybe there’s some magic left from the dynasty years. The veteran core in Golden State may flip a switch one more time, spurring a Finals run.
Best value: Kings {ODDS:967605543:21.00}
Golden State could just as easily head home after a first round duel with their Northern California neighbors. The Kings are the third-seed in the West and paying at 28/1 to make the Finals. While this franchise hadn’t been to the playoffs in decades and faces a gauntlet of opponent, but Sacramento earned this spot for a reason. With the right injuries elsewhere and the right breaks in the bracket, why not the plucky Kings as a long shot?
Championship Winner
My pick: Bucks {ODDS:952383255:3.50}
No surprises here. Taking the best team in the better conference is hardly putting myself out on a limb. I once again don’t love the price of these odds, but that’s what you get with a favorite as reliable as Milwaukee. If there’s a value I like better, it’s the champ to come from the Eastern Conference, paying at -150 right now. The Bucks, Celtics, and Sixers would all be more compelling teams against whoever can wriggle free of the wild West.
Best value: Los Angeles Lakers {ODDS:952383259:13.00}
If you could promise a healthy Lakers roster from now until the end of June, these odds would be halved. LeBron James is in Year 20 and Anthony Davis has proven fragile in recent seasons, though you can’t deny how potent that duo is for the Lakers. If both stay on the floor, there’s no reason to doubt their chances to compete for the league crown.
First Round picks
Bucks 4, Heat 1 {ODDS:1121348605:4.25}
Celtics 4, Hawks 1 {ODDS:1119873428:3.10}
Sixers 4, Nets 1 {ODDS:1118094121:2.80}
Knicks 4, Cavs 3 {ODDS:1118094079:7.00}
Nuggets 4, Timberwolves 1 {ODDS:1121356892:2.70}
Lakers 4, Grizzlies 2 {ODDS:1119873455:5.00}
Warriors 4, Kings 3 {ODDS:1118072123:6.50}
Suns 4, Clippers 1 {ODDS:1118094097:3.10}
