NBA Playoffs Preview – CopyBet
NBA Playoffs – CopyBet
Three teams stood out in the NBA’s regular season, with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 68 wins seeing them cruise to top spot in the West while the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18) and the Boston Celtics (61-21) had by far and away the best records in the East.
As a result, those teams dominate the outright betting for the NBA Championship. The Thunder are 17-10 favourites to land a first title since 1979, while the Celtics are 19-10 to retain their crown and the Cavaliers are 6-1 for outright glory.
However, one of those sides appeals more than the others and there is also a lively outsider to consider, with both featuring in our NBA outright tips.
Tip 1: In the play-offs, every game matters, which is exactly why the Cleveland Cavaliers are the standout pick to be crowned champions in June.
Kenny Atkinson has enjoyed an excellent first season with the Cavs and he may not be done just yet, with the former Brooklyn Nets coach having all the pieces to make a real tilt towards the title.
In Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland have two of the NBA’s best defensive big men in the league, making them extremely hard to beat in the paint. However, that is not to say they have a weakness on the perimeter instead.
Their mid-season trade for De’Andre Hunter raised eyebrows as teams with such impressive records rarely make moves during the campaign, but his defensive presence on the wing could prove pivotal in the play-offs.
Star power is also essential for any genuine title contender, and the Cavs have the luxury of boasting two all-star guards in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. The latter, in particular, thrives in the playoffs, averaging 28.1 points per game in the post-season across his career, and the Cavs may be hard to stop in the East.
The reigning champions, Boston, are the obvious threat to Cleveland in the East but the Cavaliers have shown they have an impressive winning culture at the franchise, stringing together 16-game and 12-game winning streaks during the regular season, and their ability to stack victories could help massively in the play-offs.
Tip 2: Experience is often the most important factor when it comes to play-off basketball, which is why the Los Angeles Lakers cannot be discounted.
LeBron James, now in his 22nd NBA season, remains one of the league’s best players and, as a four-time champion, his experience of the play-offs could prove invaluable.
And even if his age begins to show, the Lakers can also call upon one of the league’s most explosive, talented and dominant players in Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian superstar, then with the Dallas Mavericks, ended the Thunder’s hopes last term by notching five triple-doubles in six games against OKC in the play-offs and his presence on an already talented Lakers roster could see them take the West and potentially the championship at a big price.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change.
Betting tips are for entertainment purposes only and reflect the author’s opinion. No guarantees of outcomes.
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Jamie is a young sports journalist who has in-depth knowledge of football, horse racing and the NBA.