With summer right around the corner, the NBA is nearing the start of the playoffs. After a historic regular season from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, they are the favorites to win the Championship at +115, followed by the San Antonio Spurs led by Victor Wembanyama at +500(Via Fanduel). These two teams have battled all season, with the Spurs winning four of the five games. The Spurs obviously have the talent to win the whole thing, but the only question is, do they have enough experience to play their best when it really matters? Wembanyama has made his case for MVP this year, averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists and blocks. For the Thunder, Shai is looking to have back-to-back MVP seasons, averaging 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. If they make it all the way, they will face each other in the Western Conference Finals, where it’s almost guaranteed that it will be an all-time series.
The team that would be able to give them a run for their money is the Lakers, led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who, sadly, are both out for the rest of the season. The Lakers’ odds are rising from +3000 to +35000, so if any player could somehow make a deep run by himself, it’s Lebron James. Of course, you know Jokic will find a way to help the Nuggets make a run with Jamal Murray, currently holding the 3 seed. They would face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Portland Trail Blazers, led by 1st time All Star Deni Avdija and veteran Jrue Holiday, will face off vs the Spurs. Neither of these teams have been in the playoffs for quite a while. The Blazers haven’t been since 2021, and the Spurs since 2019. The Suns will face off against the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry for a spot vs the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA Championship at +550, who finished 13-3 with Jayson Tatum in the last 16 games of the season. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, are at +1100 to take home the trophy. The one seed in the East is the Detroit Pistons. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have led the Pistons to a 60-22 season. They will face off against either the Charlotte Hornets with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel highlighting or the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Tyrese Maxey. The Pistons have +1800 odds to win the title. Many experts expect the Finals to have the Celtics from the East and the Spurs or Thunder coming out of the West.
So, how will the teams with little to no experience in the playoffs perform when it’s win or go home? Will the Thunder win back-to-back? Or will the Celtics continue the hot run with Jayson Tatum back?
