NBA Odds To Make Playoffs: Which of These 12 Teams Get In?
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The NBA All-Star Break is a fine time to take stock of the current NBA betting landscape. And there is much more than just NBA Title Odds on the market. Odds are also available as to which teams make the playoffs. No, you can’t bet on the Lakers to qualify or for the Pistons to sit out the postseason. But there are a lot of other teams on the market.
Here are all the teams on the “playoff bubble” based on the odds plus picks on each.
Eastern Conference
Team | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
Atlanta Hawks | -110 | -110 |
Charlotte Hornets | +158 | -196 |
Chicago Bulls | +360 | -500 |
Indiana Pacers | -215 | +172 |
New York Knicks | +158 | -196 |
Washington Wizards | +270 | -355 |
NBA Odds via provided by FanDuel are current as of publication date.
Promo Code: BOOKIES
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are on the outside looking in, and the Eastern Conference is ridiculously crowded. But the oft-injured Hawks have had 10 starting lineups. A fully-armed roster and an interim, defense-first coach could be the difference. Pick: YES
Charlotte Hornets
When healthy, the Hornets have been a competitive, high-scoring bunch. But they’re rarely healthy, rank in the bottom-half in both offense and defense, and there are some competitive teams chasing them. Charlotte is No. 7, but there are four teams behind them within 1.5 games. Pick: NO
Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine has willed the Bulls to playoff contention; they’re in a virtual tie for No. 8 in the East. And they’ve done it despite missing No. 2 scorer Lauri Markkanen for 20 of their games. They’ve also played just 15 of 34 games against lesser Eastern Conference teams. The toughest part of their schedule is over. Pick: YES at +360
Indiana Pacers
Indy sits at 16-19 and in 10th place in the East, but it doesn’t have the look of a playoff team. The Pacers have lost five of six, and two weeks prior had a four-game losing streak. Since Feb. 3, they’re 4-0 vs. the Pistons, Cavs, Timberwolves and Hawks, and 0-1 vs. everyone else. There is value in the negative. Pick: NO
New York Knicks
The Knicks are the surprise of the NBA right now, at 19-18 and in fifth place in the East. They’re only 1.5 games from ninth, but their style of play and top-ranked defense has been a winning combo. They’re 13-10 vs. the East, too. Pick: YES
Washington Wizards
The Wizards have bounced back from their horrid start to the season, winning seven of 10 heading into the break. But they’re still well back, their over-reliance on two players, bottom-level defense and lack of depth ensure they’re a stellar offseason from competing. Pick: NO
@edge_promo(['isLight' => true])
Western Conference
Team | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
Dallas Mavericks | -355 | +270 |
Golden State Warriors | -130 | +106 |
Memphis Grizzlies | +205 | -260 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +220 | -280 |
Portland Trail Blazers | -225 | +180 |
San Antonio Spurs | -106 | -114 |
Dallas Mavericks
These are low odds considering the Mavs are only in the No. 8 spot, just a half-game in front of the Warriors. But Dallas has won nine of 11 without a complete team; it’s had 15 different starting lineups in 34 games. The Mavs are 7-3 when most healthy. Pick: YES
Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry is still Steph Curry, but Draymond Green isn’t his old self anymore, and the defense is a shambles. They’ve lost three in a row, two of which by 20-plus points, and come off the break to face, in order, the Clippers, Jazz and Lakers. Pick: NO
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is one game out of No. 8 in the rugged West. But there are reasons to like the underdog. The Grizzlies are 9-5 on the road (64%), the second-best of any bubble team. They get No. 2 player Jaren Jackson back after the break – he’s been out all season – and Justise Winslow adds backcourt depth. The Grizz could be in a good spot to bump someone and claim No. 8. Pick: YES
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are in 11th place and only four games out of the No. 8. Spot. But New Orleans has won games vs. the weaker East, it’s struggled vs. Western teams, just 8-13. It’s going to be hard to catch up if it can’t consistently beat its rivals. Pick: NO
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are 21-14 and in fifth place in the West, and that’s despite playing shorthanded for most of the season. CJ McCollum has missed 22 games and Jusuf Nurkic 23. Each is to be evaluated after the break. If Portland remains anywhere in the top seven upon the return of McCollum and Nurkic, it won’t fall back. Pick: YES
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been besieged by covid and injuries. No team is deeper, with eight players averaging at least 11 ppg. With the Mavericks, Warriors and Grizzlies chasing, San Antonio is my top candidate to fall out of the race. Pick: NO
About the Author
Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.