<p>The Play-In Tournament will feature the teams that finished 9th and 10th in both conferences, with a mini-tournament between them to determine the seventh and eighth seeds in the playoffs.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Quick Picks</h2><p><strong>Our pick:</strong> Suns to qualify</p><p><strong>Value bet:</strong> Trail Blazers to qualify</p><p><strong>Long shot:</strong> Hornets to qualify</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Preview</h2><p>The first games of the NBA Play-In Tournament will be on Wednesday, April 15, when the Charlotte Hornets take on the Miami Heat at 10:30 AEST. Later that day, the Phoenix Suns will host the Portland Trail Blazers in the West, with this game at 13:30 AEST.</p><p>The following day, Thursday, April 16, will see the two remaining games being played. In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Orlando Magic (10:30 AEST), while in the West, the Los Angeles Clippers will host the Golden State Warriors (13:30 AEST).</p><p>The winners of these games will be the #7 seed in the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/nba-playoffs">NBA playoffs betting</a>. In the No. 9 vs No. 10 game, the winners will advance to the final stage of the Play-In Tournament. The losers are eliminated. The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will play host to the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups. The winners secure the No. 8 seeds.</p><p>Whoever qualifies from each conference will already know who they'll play. In the East, the No. 8 seed will take on the No. 1 Detroit Pistons, while the No. 7 seed will take on the No. 2 Boston Celtics. In the West, the No. 8 seed will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the No. 7 seed faces the No. 2 seed, the San Antonio Spurs.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Markets to Watch</h2><p>With so much on the line, we think there's going to be plenty of value on offer. Looking at the matchups that have already been set, we think it'll be worth looking at the <strong>handicap lines</strong> closely, as games should be competitive with each of them being all-or-nothing encounters.</p><p>We think it's worth looking at the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-futures/nba-futures-2026-9324399"><strong>futures</strong> </a><strong>and the 'NBA To Make The Playoffs' market</strong> more specifically. If betting on the No. 7 vs No. 8 games, you'll find more value on backing the '<strong>Yes' or 'No' markets</strong> compared to their match odds.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Our Prediction</h2><p>Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba">NBA betting odds</a> at Sportsbet.</p><p>If we're making a prediction, we think the <strong>Phoenix Suns are the most likely to qualify</strong> for the NBA Playoffs without too much trouble. They have a strong squad, and even if they were to lose the <strong>Portland Trail Blazers, who we think offer value based on their recent strong form</strong>, they should overcome the California teams in the next game.</p><p>In the East, our long shot is the <strong>Charlotte Hornets to qualify</strong>. They've been great this season and have the potential to beat everyone in their path. For those looking to learn <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-the-nba">how to bet on the NBA</a>, the Play-In Tournament offers an exciting entry point with high-stakes single-elimination games.</p>