<p>Once the Play-In Tournament has been concluded, we'll be down to the final eight teams, each of whom will hope they have what it takes to go all the way and be the next NBA champions.</p><p>Of course, this side of the bracket features the defending champions, and the betting favourites, the Oklahoma City Thunder.</p><p>Still, what will happen in Game 1 of the respective matches to be played across the best-of-seven series that will take place in the First Round?</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Quick Picks</h2><p><strong>Our pick:</strong> OKC to win</p><p><strong>Value bet:</strong> Lakers to win</p><p><strong>Long shot:</strong> Timberwolves and Nuggets to go to overtime</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Preview</h2><p>As of writing, we're still waiting for the Play-In Tournament to be concluded, with the final two teams yet to be determined to complete the Western Conference.</p><p>The #1 and #2 seeds are yet to know who they'll play, as they will face the #8 and #7 seeds, respectively.</p><p>In the West, we can look forward to the following fixtures for the first round, with the date and time of Game 1 being displayed:</p><ul><li>#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 TBD (TBD)</li><li>#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Portland Trail Blazers (Monday, April 20 @ 11:00 AEST)</li><li>#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (Sunday, April 19 @ 05:30 AEST)</li><li>#4 Los Angeles Lakers vs #5 Houston Rockets (Sunday, April 19 @ 10:30 AEST)</li></ul><p>The Phoenix Suns were beaten by the Trail Blazers, but have a second chance to qualify.</p><p>They'll face the winner of the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Markets to Watch</h2><p>We're looking ahead to the three games that have been set already for our Game 1 predictions, although we think it's likely OKC will win theirs regardless of whoever they end up playing.</p><p>In the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba/portland-trail-blazers-at-san-antonio-spurs-10372754">Spurs vs Trail Blazers game</a>, we think there's <strong>value in the handicap bet for the Trail Blazers at +10.5</strong>.</p><p>Over the last five games, this has hit three times, with the two other occasions actually seeing Portland win.</p><p>Game 1 of the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves-at-denver-nuggets-10368483">Nuggets vs Timberwolves</a> series offers value worth exploring in the <strong>Over (231.5) - Total Points market</strong>.</p><p>Seven of the Nuggets' last eight home games have gone OVER the total match points line.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba/houston-rockets-at-los-angeles-lakers-10368480">Lakers vs Rockets</a> game offers value in the <strong>Lakers' moneyline</strong>. Los Angeles enter the game as perceived underdogs, but they have won 12 of their last 13 at home.</p><p>In addition, the <strong>+5.5 handicap market</strong> offers value, as the Lakers have covered the line in each of their last four <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/nba-playoffs">NBA playoff odds</a> games against the Rockets.</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>We think the <strong>most likely outcome is for OKC to win</strong> against whoever the #8 seed ends up being in Game 1.</p><p><strong>Long shot value can be found in the Timberwolves vs Nuggets </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-overtime-rules-explained"><strong>NBA overtime rules</strong> </a><strong>market</strong>, with two of the last three games between them at Ball Arena having gone to overtime.</p>