As the 2024-25 NBA playoffs kick off with the play-in tournament, betting experts recommend key bets. The Oklahoma City Thunder, predicted to win by several experts due to their young, talented, and deep squad, stand out at +170 odds. Additionally, a unique bet on California winning the championship at +1000 highlights the strength of the Clippers, Warriors, and Lakers. The Boston Celtics are favored at +180, recognized for their playoff experience, despite the Cavaliers' better regular-season record. Overall, these insights guide bettors on promising playoff wagers.
If you made only one bet prior to the playoffs starting, what would it be? Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Championship (+170): I predicted the Thunder would win it all before the season started and nothing I saw over the last five months has changed my mind. They're young. They're talented. They're healthy. And they're as deep as any team playing in the postseason. They've been working up to this challenge for the last five years and the future is now. OKC's second unit is as good as half the league's starters.
California is the NBA Championship Winning State (+1000): This is a unique angle and a fun play put together by oddsmakers. The premise here is that I was wholly impressed with the finish by all three of these California contenders. The Clippers' finish to the season revealed Kawhi Leonard's patience with his body appears to have paid off, while James Harden is legitimately involved in third-team All-NBA discussions.
Boston Celtics to win the NBA championship (+180): Sure, the Cavaliers had the better regular season, but there is a good reason why the Celtics have consistently boasted better odds for the playoffs. They've done it consistently and know how to elevate their game when it matters most.
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