The stage is set for the 2025 NBA Playoffs, kicking off with two high-stakes Play-In Tournament games. As fans gear up for this thrilling postseason, all eyes will be on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who clinched the top seed with a remarkable 68-14 record. Entering as the favorites to claim the NBA title with odds at +170, they look ready to make a strong push. Following closely are the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, at +220. They’re certainly expected to put up a fight as they pursue back-to-back championships, with considerable talent behind them. Rounding out the favorites are the Cavaliers at +650, the Lakers at +1400, and the Warriors at +1700.
In the race for the coveted Finals MVP, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the pack with odds of +190, closely followed by the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum at +290. Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers comes in next at +1000, with Kristaps Porzingis of the Celtics at +2000, and the ever-reliable Stephen Curry from the Warriors rounding out the top five at +2200.
With thousands of futures bets on the table, the pressure is on as SportsLine’s key basketball experts have sifted through the options to present their top nine bets for the playoffs. Their impressive track record speaks volumes, boasting a 69.4% success rate and a collective gain of $8,990 this season.
Mike Barner, with a solid record of 184-133-1, is backing the Celtics as the NBA Finals winner at +220. He believes that the road to the Finals in the Eastern Conference is a bit more favorable than in the West, given his assessment of competition. While he acknowledges the Thunder’s prowess, Barner expresses some skepticism about rookie Jalen Williams stepping up in crucial moments. If Kristaps Porzingis can maintain his health, expect the Celtics to be a formidable force in a potential seven-game showdown.
Larry Hartstein favors the Thunder at +170 for the Finals, pointing out their remarkable point differential and unparalleled defensive capabilities. He acknowledges the question marks around their playoff inexperience but emphasizes the depth they possess, including key contributors like Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso who were absent during last year’s playoff run. Hartstein reminds us that only a select few teams have posted wins as impressive as the Thunder’s this season, and four of those ultimately clinched NBA titles.
On a different note, Hartstein sees value in the Bucks at +190 to win their series against the Pacers. Despite entering as the lower seed, he highlights Milwaukee’s dominance against Indiana throughout the regular season, especially with a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge. With the Bucks’ three-point shooting prowess now at the forefront, he believes they will have the upper hand in a series where every possession counts.
Alex Selesnick takes a contrarian approach, selecting the Nuggets as his pick to win it all at a tempting +2500. He sees this as a golden opportunity to back the league’s most elite player in Nikola Jokic, particularly as playoff strategies tend to minimize the significance of depth. He acknowledges the challenges of a coaching change but stands firm in his belief that Jokic and the Nuggets have what it takes to shine on the biggest stage.
Matt Severance has an eye on the Celtics, predicting they’ll exit in the Eastern Conference Finals at +320. His reasoning centers on the injuries to key Celtics players like Jaylen Brown, whose knee issues could impact the team’s performance. He notes the potential pitfalls they may face early in the playoffs, especially against teams like Orlando or Atlanta that have posed challenges in the past.
Finally, Prop Bet Guy echoes the confidence in the Celtics as potential champions, backing them with a +190 bet. Despite some concerns regarding Brown’s health, he acknowledges the depth and improved roster elements that could aid Boston’s run.
It’s an exhilarating time for NBA fans, as the playoffs promise fierce competition, dramatic moments, and the possibility of seeing history in the making. With the Thunder and Celtics emerging as early favorites, it could be a thrilling journey towards the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Every game matters, and every prediction could shape the course of this postseason. The stakes are high, and basketball is about to get very exciting.
