NBA Play-In Event 2024–25: Finest Bets, Odds and Predictions

The 2024–25 NBA common season is completed, however we aren’t fairly prepared for the postseason simply but. Earlier than we are able to get there, the final 4 groups nonetheless within the working for the playoffs have to participate within the play-in match — which, after all, you’ll be able to guess on.

Let’s discuss just a few of the methods you’ll be able to guess on the play-in match video games. The next make our checklist of NBA play-in match greatest bets (odds through DraftKings).

Jap Convention Play-In Event

No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (+180) vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic (-5), o/u 217
Date: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Protection: TNT

Sure, Atlanta simply beat Orlando on Sunday. However don’t learn something into the result of that recreation (117–105, Hawks); neither crew put their greatest foot ahead. So, don’t draw any conclusions as to how the play-in might go based mostly on it.

Atlanta has a stable offense and can seemingly attempt to outscore the Magic. However that shall be simpler stated than carried out in opposition to Orlando’s protection.

Our choose: OVER 217

I feel the Magic will win this recreation, but it surely’s laborious to say with certainty in the event that they’ll cowl the unfold. Nevertheless, based mostly on how the earlier video games between these two groups went, there’s an excellent likelihood we’ll see greater than 217 factors scored on this recreation.

No. 10 Miami Warmth (+1) vs. No. 9 Chicago Bulls (-115), o/u 219.5
Date: Wednesday, April 16
Time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Protection: ESPN

Chicago has been enjoying nicely of late, with wins in six of their final seven video games, together with a 119–111 win over the Warmth in Chicago. The Bulls have some proficient guys who’ve been enjoying nicely, and the Warmth have misplaced 4 of their final six.

However Eric Spoelstra is aware of a factor or two about profitable clutch video games like this one, and I like his proficient trio of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins greater than Chicago’s expertise base.

Our choose: Miami ML

Miami to make the playoffs at +320
A No. 10 seed has by no means made the playoffs within the brief historical past of the play-in match. But when there ever was a crew that might make historical past and pull it off, it’s this Miami Warmth squad.

Western Convention Play-In Event

No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies (+230) vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors (-7), o/u 229.5
Date: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 10 p.m. EDT
Protection: TNT

These two groups simply confronted off in a barn burner a few weeks in the past — one the Warriors gained 135–125 in Memphis. I discover it laborious to imagine a crew that fired its head coach down the stretch and isn’t enjoying good, constant basketball can beat Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Inexperienced.

Oh — and Steve Kerr is aware of a factor or two about getting probably the most out of his crew with the playoffs on the road.

Our choose: OVER 229.5

I feel the Warriors will win this one, however seven factors seems like a bit a lot with two groups that may rating like they’ll. That’s why I’m betting on the OVER for this recreation.

No. 10 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 9 Sacramento Kings
Date: Wednesday, April 16
Time: 10 p.m. EDT
Protection: ESPN

Is anybody else shocked that the Dallas Mavericks even made it to the play-in match? It was dangerous sufficient that they traded Luka Doncic, however then shedding Kyrie Irving on high of that was simply painful. Anthony Davis remains to be a drive when he performs, however sufficient of 1 to beat the Kings?

Eh — I don’t suppose so. Domantas Sabonis will handle Davis, and Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will get the job carried out on the offensive finish of the courtroom vs. a Dallas crew that’s seemingly longing for the season to finish.