NBA Odds To Make Playoffs: Which of These 12 Teams Get In?

By Adam Thompson Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EDT

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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.

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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

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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

Adam Thompson

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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.