As the intensity of the NBA Playoffs ignites arenas and living rooms alike, the fervor extends beyond the court to the realm of betting lines and NBA Finals odds. With each game, the stakes rise higher, and fans eagerly assess the probabilities, seeking the edge that could lead to victory, both for their favorite teams and their own wagers.
In the midst of the playoff frenzy, navigating the web of odds and NBA picks becomes as much a part of the experience as the thunderous dunks and clutch 3-pointers. In this article, we delve into NBA betting lines and playoff series odds for the 2024 postseason, examining the twists and turns that define this electrifying quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy and basketball immortality.
2024 NBA Finals odds
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic series odds
| Result |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
 Cavaliers in 4 |
+700 | +800 |
| Cavaliers in 5 |
+340 | +400 |
| Cavaliers in 6 |
+480 | +500 |
| Cavaliers in 7 |
+410 | +320 |
 Orlando in 4 |
+1,700 | +1,800 |
| Orlando in 5 |
+1,000 | +1,200 |
| Orlando in 6 |
+500 | +500 |
| Orlando in 7 |
+800 | +650 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
With Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s net rating was +5.2 this season. Without him in 27 games, it fell to -3.3. The bulk of Mitchell’s absence came since March 1, missing 16 of 24 games. But he looked like he had found his legs at the end of last week, scoring 29 and 33 points in two games the Cavs needed to win.
A healthy Cleveland would have finished as high as No. 2 in the East, and that should yield some faith against the Magic. As underseeded as Cleveland ended up, Orlando may be that overseeded, its point differential of +2.0 more appropriate for a Play-In team than the No. 5 seed.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers series odds
| Result | |
|
|---|---|---|
 Bucks in 4 |
+2,100 | +2,000 |
| Bucks in 5 |
+750 | +750 |
| Bucks in 6 |
+650 | +550 |
| Bucks in 7 |
+390 | +300 |
 Pacers in 4 |
+460 | +700 |
| Pacers in 5 |
+550 | +700 |
| Pacers in 6 |
+370 | +380 |
| Pacers in 7 |
+1,000 | +700 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
How much faith do you have in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf healing quickly? Monday reports said there is “some real doubt” about Giannis being full-go to start the playoffs, if he's able to go at all. This could be the second year in a row an injury to their superstar costs the Bucks in the first round.
Since the All-Star Break, the Pacers have been the fourth-fastest team in the NBA and have enjoyed the No. 2 offensive rating. Underestimate them at your own peril.
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers series odds
| Result | |
|
|---|---|---|
 Knicks in 4 |
+1,100 | +1,400 |
| Knicks in 5 |
+500 | +600 |
| Knicks in 6 |
+650 | +650 |
| Knicks in 7 |
+440 | +360 |
 76ers in 4 |
+950 | +1,000 |
| 76ers in 5 |
+650 | +700 |
| 76ers in 6 |
+360 | +310 |
| 76ers in 7 |
+700 | +550 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
The Knicks' reward for a sterling 50-win season is a date with reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The Sixers big man has averaged 30.4 points and 9.2 rebounds since returning from injury on April 2, and was instrumental in Philly's come-from-behind victory against Miami in the Play-In Tournament. Expect an epic clash between two very proud franchises.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks series odds
| Result | |
|
|---|---|---|
 Clippers in 4 |
+1,400 | +1,800 |
| Clippers in 5 |
+600 | +700 |
| Clippers in 6 |
+650 | +650 |
| Clippers in 7 |
+460 | +340 |
 Mavericks in 4 |
+650 | +750 |
| Mavericks in 5 |
+600 | +650 |
| Mavericks in 6 |
+350 | +330 |
| Mavericks in 7 |
+700 | +650 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
For the third time in the last five years, Luka Doncic will meet the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won both those series, but the Mavericks made them work for each. Those were Doncic’s first two playoff series, and he still averaged 33.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds. In the final three games of the 2021 first round, Doncic averaged 39 points, 13 assists, and 7.7 rebounds.
The 2023-24 scoring champion, Doncic could average a 30-point triple-double in this series, and if Kawhi Leonard cannot stay healthy for the length of it, Los Angeles will have little hope of keeping up with Dallas.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns series odds
| Result | |
|
|---|---|---|
 Timberwolves in 4 |
+1,300 | +1,600 |
| Timberwolves in 5 |
+600 | +650 |
| Timberwolves in 6 |
+700 | +650 |
| Timberwolves in 7 |
+490 | +350 |
 Suns in 4 |
+750 | +900 |
| Suns in 5 |
+550 | +700 |
| Suns in 6 |
+340 | +310 |
| Suns in 7 |
+650 | +600 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
The Suns did not just beat the Timberwolves all three times they met this season. They blew them out. Minnesota was never within single digits in the second half of any of those three games, including on Sunday, April 14.
This is an offense vs. defense matchup on paper, but in reality, both teams are more balanced than many causal viewers may assume. In the last month, the Suns have ranked No. 9 in offensive rating and No. 10 in defensive rating. Look further back to the All-Star Break, those rankings are No. 11 and No. 14, respectively. The Timberwolves ranked No. 10 in offensive rating in the last month and No. 6 in defensive rating. Since the All-Star Break, those are No. 17 and No. 3, respectively.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers series odds
| Result | |
|
|---|---|---|
 Nuggets in 4 |
+440 | +500 |
| Nuggets in 5 |
+230 | +285 |
| Nuggets in 6 |
+450 | +425 |
| Nuggets in 7 |
+410 | +340 |
 Lakers in 4 |
+3,500 | +3,000 |
| Lakers in 5 |
+1,900 | +2,000 |
| Lakers in 6 |
+700 | +650 |
| Lakers in 7 |
+1,300 | +900 |
Odds as of April 19, 2024.
Consider this the Western Conference Finals rematch no one wanted. The Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers last year, though the games were at least closer than most may remember. Denver’s average margin of victory was just six points, in part because LeBron James refused to go quietly.
LeBron averaged 27.8 points, 10 assists, and 9.5 rebounds in the series. Even Anthony Davis showed up, averaging 26.8 points and 14 rebounds. But against the Nuggets’ top-tier starters and dynamic two-man game led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Lakers’ star combo was not enough.
To get the best odds for every game, visit our NBA odds hub and NBA player props page. To see the best bets for every game of the NBA playoffs, make sure to keep up with our NBA Finals odds as well as our free NBA picks and NBA Finals predictions.
How to bet on the NBA Playoffs
There are many ways to bet on the NBA Playoffs beyond each individual game.
NBA futures
The most common way to bet on the NBA Playoffs is through the various futures markets offered at basketball betting sites.
From odds to win the NBA finals to odds for which team will win a series, futures make up the bulk of NBA playoff odds that aren't related to a specific game.
Most of these markets are offered at plus money, but odds to win the Finals and series tend to shorten as the playoffs progress. Teams with the best odds to win the NBA Finals are usually the favorites to win their respective series and usually carry a heavy vig. For example, the Philadelphia 76er are heavy favorites against the Brooklyn Nets at -900. That means bettors would have to wager $900 to win $100.
Bettors may be able to find value in betting on the favorite to win a series in a specific number of games. For example, one could bet on the Phoenix Suns to win their series against the L.A. Clippers in five games at +230, meaning a winning wager would net $230 for every $100 wagered.
If you want to learn more about how to bet on basketball, make sure to read our comprehensive guide to NBA betting.
How long are NBA playoff series?
NBA Playoff series are best-of-seven affairs from the first round to the NBA Finals. The first team to win four games advances to the next round.
