The NBA playoff odds get started on Sunday, April 19, with the first of the games tipping off at 04:00 AEST. From that point on, there will be plenty of basketball to be played until the NBA Finals, which are scheduled for the beginning of June…

Quick Picks

Our pick: OKC to win

Value bet: Spurs to win

Long shot: Pistons to win

Betting Preview

As of writing, we're still waiting for the Play-In Tournament to be concluded, with the final four teams yet to be determined. The #1 and #2 seeds are yet to know who they'll play, as they will face the #8 and #7 seeds, respectively.

Still, the other teams that have already secured their place in the postseason already know what they'll be up against.

In the Eastern Conference, the following games will take place in the first round:

• #1 Detroit Pistons vs #8 TBD
• #2 Boston Celtics vs #7 TBD
• #3 New York Knicks vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
• #4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #5 Toronto Raptors

In the Western Conference:

• #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 TBD
• #2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 TBD
• #3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves
• #4 Los Angeles Lakers vs #5 Houston Rockets

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors will begin the NBA Playoffs at 04:00 AEST on Sunday, April 19, after the Play-In Tournament concludes a day earlier.

Betting Markets to Watch

Looking ahead to the NBA playoffs betting, it can be a very interesting time for bettors with lots of potential value worth exploring across each of the games scheduled to be played. With each one being contested under a best-of-series format, each game will offer something very different for bettors to consider.

The futures market may offer a glimpse into what can be potentially expected, with the odds currently favouring the Oklahoma City Thunder to go all the way and successfully defend their NBA championship from last season. However, there's value to be had in the San Antonio Spurs. They proved a real challenge for OKC, and if they meet in the Conference Finals, they may be worth value after going 4-1 in the regular season.

The Boston Celtics offer value in the East, but the Detroit Pistons may offer better value. They finished top of the East for the #1 seed and finished the year 8-2 over their last 10 games (the same as Boston). If they get through their first round, their route to the Conference Finals might be easier than the one the Celtics may have to take if things go to plan.

Our Prediction

Check the latest NBA betting odds at Sportsbet.

Making a prediction at this stage is extremely difficult. However, if pushed, we think there's value in the Oklahoma City Thunder winning. We think this is most likely, as they've been the best team throughout the year and have been dominant defending last year's title. If you want to learn how to bet on the NBA, check out our comprehensive guide for more insights.