The 8 game NBA bubble didn’t disappoint, providing unlikely 50 point games, surprising undefeated runs, and heroic-put-the-team-on-their-back-performances. The lesser Eastern Conference provided more questions than answers, while the loaded Western Conference required a playoff between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Otherwise, the playoffs matchups are set for two months of NBA playoff action. Here is a breakdown of all the first-round series.
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The West
(*Title odds)
L.A Lakers 3-5 (+350) Vs. Portland Blazers 5-2 (+6000) or Grizzlies 2-6 (+25000)
It’s nearly impossible to see the Grizzlies upsetting the Trail Blazers without Jerren Jackson Jr. and with Damien Lillard currently shooting flames out of his ass. Therefore, in all likelihood, the Blazers will take on the Lakers in a matchup no Laker fans will enjoy. Without Avery Bradley, the Lakers are short on premiere defenders for small guards.
It just so happens that Portland has two of the best shifty guards in the league with Lillard and C.J McCollum. The Blazers also have a bevy of big men to help corral Anthony Davis and Co. Lakers in 6 sounds like a reasonable prediction but the ATS lines should provide value in this entertaining series.
L.A Clippers 4-3 (+300) Vs. Dallas Mavericks 3-5 (+4900)
Potentially the most entertaining matchup of round one pits the wunderkind Luka Doncic against the dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Expect points as no one has figured out how to slow down the Mavericks during bubble play. The return of Montrezl Harrell and his form looms large for the Clippers’ title odds. Without Harrell playing at a near all-star level, a title seems unlikely. Clippers in 5
Dallas Mavericks 4-0 +3800
Dallas Mavericks 4-1 +1700
Dallas Mavericks 4-2 +1100
Dallas Mavericks 4-3 +800
Los Angeles Clippers 4-0 +440
Los Angeles Clippers 4-1 +270
Los Angeles Clippers 4-2 +310
Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 +480
Denver Nuggets 3-4 (+2400) Vs. Utah Jazz (+4900)
The Jazz without Boyan Bogdanovic look like big underdogs versus the loaded Nuggets. Nicola Jokic’s diverse skill set will minimize Rudy Golbert’s defensive prowess by pulling him away from the rim. However, the Nuggets have yet to field their full team. Nagging injuries to Gary Harris and Will Barton make this Denver squad a bit of an enigma. The growth of Micheal Porter Jr. does push their ceiling, assuming they can get healthy. Nuggets in 5.
Utah Jazz 4-0 +2100
Utah Jazz 4-1 +1000
Utah Jazz 4-2 +650
Utah Jazz 4-3 +550
Denver Nuggets 4-0 +700
Denver Nuggets 4-1 +390
Denver Nuggets 4-2 +350
Denver Nuggets 4-3 +440
Houston Rockets 4-3 (+1300) Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 (+6500)
In a contrast of styles, this looks like the most likely western upset. Houston’s micro ball lineup finally sees a true test in playoff action. Steven Adams will look to crush the lilliputians on the glass while everything rests on Harden’s shoulders for the Rockets. Eric Gordon’s return will have to play a big role if Houston is to advance. Chris Paul, the Point God looks primed to take some revenge on his old team. OKC in 7.
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0 +1600
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 +950
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2 +750
Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 +700
Houston Rockets 4-0 +950
Houston Rockets 4-1 +400
Houston Rockets 4-2 +300
Houston Rockets 4-3 +360
The East
Milwaukee Bucks 3-5 (-160) Vs. Orlando 3-5 (+24000)
It will take a herculean effort for Orlando to take even a single game off the championship favored Bucks. Milwaukee in 4.
Orlando Magic 4-0 +10000
Orlando Magic 4-1 +10000
Orlando Magic 4-2 +9000
Orlando Magic 4-3 +4900
Milwaukee Bucks 4-0 -125
Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 +190
Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 +500
Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 +1600
Toronto Raptors 6-1 (+1000) Vs. Brooklyn Nets 5-3 (+24000)
Toronto’s got the eye of the tiger while Brooklyn’s cross-eyed without essentially all of their best players. Caris Lavert may impress but ultimately Toronto in 4.
Brooklyn Nets 4-0 +10000
Brooklyn Nets 4-1 +10000
Brooklyn Nets 4-2 +10000
Brooklyn Nets 4-3 +6500
Toronto Raptors 4-0 -150
Toronto Raptors 4-1 +190
Toronto Raptors 4-2 +650
Toronto Raptors 4-3 +2300
Boston Celtics 5-3 (+1700) Vs. Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (+6500)
What would have been the most exciting series in the East unfortunately devolved into another likely walkover when Ben Simmons went down. It also doesn’t help that Joel Embiid has taken some minor bumps and bruises as well. The Sixers can’t compete without Simmons, full-stop. Celtics in 5.
Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 +3200
Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 +1400
Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 +900
Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 +650
Boston Celtics 4-0 +500
Boston Celtics 4-1 +300
Boston Celtics 4-2 +330
Boston Celtics 4-3 +480
Miami Heat 3-4 (+3000) Vs. Indiana Pacers 5-2 (+10000)
In what sets up to be the most competitive series in the East, two blue-collar teams go at it. T.J Warren has undoubtedly taken breakout player of the bubble honors, leading the Pacers while Victor Oladipo finds his form. If Indiana had Domantas Sabonis, we would have been really in for a treat, pitting the size of Indiana against the tenacity of Miami. Still, Indiana fights like a cornered dog and will give Miami everything they can handle. Ultimately, Jimmy Butler and the shooting of Miami will prove too much. Miami in 7.
Indiana Pacers 4-0 +3800
Indiana Pacers 4-1 +1700
Indiana Pacers 4-2 +1100
Indiana Pacers 4-3 +800
Miami Heat 4-0 +440
Miami Heat 4-1 +270
Miami Heat 4-2 +310
Miami Heat 4-3 +480