NBA Playoff Preview and Best Bets (Eastern Conference)
Steak breaks down the NBA Playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference
Steak
NBA, CBB, NFL, CFB
After one of the worst regular seasons we’ve all witnessed—one that had multiple teams tanking as early as January—we’ve finally reached the NBA playoffs. And if the Play-In games are an indicator of what we have in store, I believe the playoffs will be a HIT. Today, I am going to preview every series except the 1/8 from each conference and give my best bet in each.
2: Boston Celtics vs. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers beat the reeling Orlando Magic last night in the 7/8 play-in game at home, in a game I have debated if either team actually wanted to win, considering beating the Celtics with a fresh Jayson Tatum seems like a much more daunting task than beating the Detroit Pistons with a banged-up Cade Cunningham. The Sixers will be without Joel Embiid, which seems to be a recurring theme in the playoffs. At this point, I struggle to see how Philly makes this one a series.
Favorite bet: Celtics to win series 4–1 (+250)
3: New York Knicks vs. 6 Atlanta Hawks
Last year felt like the year for the New York Knicks. They finally conquered the beast that is the Boston Celtics, and all they had to do for a trip to the NBA Finals was get past the Indiana Pacers. Sounds easy enough, right? Not so fast, my friend. The Knicks lost that series in six games following a heroic performance out of Tyrese Haliburton, and for some reason, it feels like there is MUCH less hype surrounding the Knicks this year.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks, a team that went 15–5 in their final 20 games and soared up the standings to get the 6 seed and win their division. Listen, Atlanta has some DAWGS. I think Jalen Johnson has a top-5 ceiling, and every team in the league would want a Dyson Daniels or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. But I believe this team is at least a year away from having actual playoff success, and I’m kind of intrigued about buying into an underhyped New York Knicks team with a slightly deeper bench than previous years.
Favorite bet: Knicks -1.5 games (-115)
4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5 Toronto Raptors
Listen, I think mostly everyone you talk to will tell you that the Raptors do not have a chance to compete in this series, which I understand due to the lack of playoff experience on this roster. But it still leaves me a little confused that so many people are willing to buy back in on this Cleveland Cavaliers roster, whose only big addition is known playoff choker James Harden, who is 36 years old.
I didn’t forget the pathetic performance as huge favorites against the Pacers last year, and there’s just no way I could back this Cavs team again this year. They’re starting to remind me of the Buffalo Bills—every year it’s “OUR YEAR.”
Favorite bet: Series over 5.5 games (-110)
Last one—touch on the Detroit Pistons. They will either play the Orlando Magic or Charlotte Hornets in the 1/8 matchup, and I think most NBA fans are hoping it’s the Hornets for entertainment’s sake. There’s no doubt the Pistons are being disrespected after winning 60 games and earning the 1 seed. They are +460 to win the East, placing them SIGNIFICANTLY behind Cleveland and Boston. No read on this series yet until we figure out who they play, but I think they should take care of business against either opponent.
