NBA Make Playoffs Bets: This is The Game Day’s guide on how to bet on 2021 NBA Playoff Berths. All betting info provided by BetRivers.
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As a reminder, the NBA is instituting a play-in tournament for the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th seeds this season.
This new wrinkle increases the number of teams that have the possibility to make the postseason. The seventh seed will host the eighth seed for a chance at the seventh seed in each respective conference’s playoffs. Meanwhile, the ninth seed will host the 10th seed where the winner will meet the loser of the aforementioned 7/8 matchup. The winner of this game will then earn the eighth and final spot in each respective conference’s playoffs.
NBA Make Playoffs Bets
(odds as of 4/16/21)
Miami Heat Yes (-1667) No (+750)
Atlanta Hawks Yes (-1250) No (+650)
Indiana Pacers Yes (-250) No (+190)
Charlotte Hornets Yes (+110) No (-139)
Washington Wizards Yes (+450) No (-715)
Toronto Raptors Yes (+540) No (-910)
Chicago Bulls Yes (+750) No (-1667)
Portland Trail Blazers Yes (-1250) No (+650)
Golden State Warriors Yes (+110) No (-139)
Memphis Grizzlies Yes (+130) No (-167)
San Antonio Spurs Yes (+320) No (-455)
New Orleans Pelicans Yes (+350) No (-500)
My Favorite Futures Bets For Teams To Make NBA Playoffs
- Golden State Warriors to make the playoffs YES (+110)
- Indiana Pacers to make the playoffs NO (+190)
- Chicago Bulls to MAKE the playoffs (+750)
Golden State Warriors to MAKE the playoffs (+110)
The Warriors are rolling right now. They are currently on their longest winning streak of the season (4) and are only a 1/2 game out of the eighth seed in the West
Considering the number of injuries the roster has experienced, including key players like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kelly Oubre and James Wiseman, it’s extremely impressive to see them competing for a spot in the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The main reason for their success is easy: Stephen Curry is simply one of the best players in the NBA. He’s currently second in the league in scoring, but diving further into his recent performances his numbers are mind-boggling.
In April, Curry is averaging 39 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game and 6.4 made three-pointers a game. “Chef" Curry is really turning it on and even if they don’t finish inside the top eight by the end of the regular season, as long as they get into the play-in games the Warriors’ offensive explosiveness will be too much to handle.
Indiana Pacers to MISS the playoffs (+190)
Since the NBA All-Star Game in early March, the Pacers are 10-9 overall but only 2-5 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. One of the superstars in last year’s bubble in Orlando was undoubtedly T.J. Warren who was dropping 30 every night it seemed. However, his season-ending foot injury has really hurt the team. His loss is especially felt on the offensive end — Warren is one of the few players on the roster that has the ability to take on his defender in isolation situations and get a good shot, especially down the stretch of games.
The other guy is no longer on the team (Victor Oladipo). The Pacers still play at a very high pace (sixth in the league) but the absence of a dynamic 1-on-1 player really limits the Pacers from taking the next step. In a play-in tournament situation when the opposing side has a few days to game plan and scheme their defense against the high pick and roll heavy Pacers, their lack of elite scorers will be the reason they won’t make it into the postseason.
Chicago Bulls to MAKE the playoffs (+750)
Zach LaVine missing the next handful of games is why oddsmakers have the Chicago Bulls priced at +750. But I do want to remind you that a team just needs to finish in 10th place to get into the play-in tournament. If they find a way to stay around .500 while LaVine is out for the league’s health and safety protocols, they will be an extremely tough out for any team.
The Bulls are the only team in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference that boasts two all-stars. At better than 7 to 1 odds, the Bulls are worth a small wager just on pure talent alone. I’m a firm believer in Coach Billy Donovan‘s abilities, and when you field two 20+ points per game scorers on your team you will always have a chance.
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