The first round of the NBA Playoffs is underway, with teams battling to move on. With each game, the stakes rise higher, and fans eagerly pour over NBA series odds, seeking the edge that could lead to victory, both for their favorite teams and their own wagers.
NBA series odds for Round 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs
There are lots of ways for fans to wager on NBA Playoff Odds beyond just betting on NBA Finals odds. When bettors make their NBA picks for these futures markets, they can bet on the winner of each series and even how many games the series will go. We break it all down below.
NBA Series odds at a glance for today
- Cleveland Cavaliers (-176) vs. Orlando Magic (+142)
- Milwaukee Bucks (+790) vs. Indiana Pacers (-1,500)
- New York Knicks (-850) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+540)
- Boston Celtics (-100,000) vs. Miami Heat (+4,000)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+152) vs. Dallas Mavericks (-188)
- Denver Nuggets (-5,000) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (+1,800)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (-100,000) vs New Orleans Pelicans (+6,500)
All odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic series odds
- Cavaliers to win: -176
- Cavaliers in 6: +200
- Cavaliers in 7: +190
- Magic to win: +142
- Magic in 6: +320
- Magic in 7: +400
The Cleveland Cavaliers were in the driver's seat against the Orlando Magic but things went sideways when play shifted to Florida. The Magic won Game 3 121-83 and followed that up with another impressive win, 112-89, in Game 4. The Cavs maintain homecourt advantage with Tuesday's Game 5 back in Cleveland, but momentum may have shifted.
Paolo Banchero was relatively quiet in Game 4 after being the driving force behind the Magic's blowout Game 3 win, but Franz Wagner picked up the pace and scored a game-high 34 points with 13 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers series odds
- Bucks to win: +790
- Bucks in 7: +750
- Pacers to win: -1,500
- Pacers in 6: +180
- Pacers in 7: +1,000
The Indiana Pacers are one win away from reaching the second round for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Things have gone from bad to worse for the Milwaukee Bucks in this series with Damian Lillard (Achilles) joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (who has yet to play in the series) on the injury report.
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers series odds
- Knicks to win: -850
- Knicks in 5: -195
- Knicks in 6: +470
- Knicks in 7: +750
- 76ers to win: +540
- 76ers in 7: +500
The Philadelphia 76ers are on the brink. After punching back to take Game 3 against the New York Knicks, they fell by five in Game 4. The Knicks haven't blown the Sixers out in any of their wins, but they've done just enough. New York will look to wrap things up at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat series odds
- Celtics to win: -100,000
- Celtics in 5: -430
- Celtics in 6: +430
- Celtics in 7: +1,700
- Heat to win: +4,000
- Heat in 6: +14,000
- Heat in 7: +9,000
While Boston Celtics faithful may have felt an inkling of panic after the team dropped Game 2 at the TD Garden to the Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat, Boston won Game 3 by 20 points. Like Game 1, it was not as close as the final score indicated as Miami won the fourth quarter with the game firmly in Boston's hands. Game 4 is Monday night and the Heat desperately need the win.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks series odds
- Clippers to win: +152
- Clippers in 6: +500
- Clippers in 7: +290
- Mavericks to win: -188
- Mavericks in 6: +120
- Mavericks in 7: +330
Play shifts back to California for Game 5 with this series knotted at two games apiece after the Los Angeles Clippers won Game 4 at the Dallas Mavericks. Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points to seal the five-point victory with star Kawhi Leonard on the shelf with a knee injury. Kawhi's status for the rest of the series is in jeopardy, which is likely giving the Mavericks the betting edge.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns series odds
- Timberwolves won in 4
The Minnesota Timberwolves completed the first playoff sweep in franchise history by defeating the Phoenix Suns 122-116 in Game 4 on Sunday night.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers series odds
- Nuggets to win: -20,000
- Nuggets in 5: +175
- Nuggets in 6: +1,600
- Nuggets in 7: +2,200
- Lakers to win: +4,000
- Lakers in 7: +4,000
The Los Angeles Lakers are in deep against the Denver Nuggets, clinging to life in their Western Conference first-round playoff series. They'll hope against hope for four straight wins, beginning Saturday at homes Denver goes for the sweep.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans series odds
- Thunder to win: -100,000
- Thunder in 4: -190
- Thunder in 5: +200
- Thunder in 6: +1,600
- Thunder in 7: +2,700
- Pelicans to win: +6,500
- Pelicans in 7: +6,500
The only other first-round series that can end in a sweep. After a narrow two-point win to open the series, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won consecutive games by 20+ points. The New Orleans Pelicans have a steep hill to climb starting with Game 4 on Monday.
To get the best odds for every game, visit our NBA odds hub and NBA player props page. To see the best bets for every game of the NBA playoffs, make sure to keep up with our NBA Finals odds as well as our free NBA picks and NBA Finals predictions.
How to bet on the NBA Playoffs
There are many ways to bet on the NBA Playoffs beyond each individual game.
NBA futures
The most common way to bet on the NBA Playoffs is through the various futures markets offered at basketball betting sites.
From odds to win the NBA finals to odds for which team will win a series, futures make up the bulk of NBA playoff odds that aren't related to a specific game.
Most of these markets are offered at plus money, but odds to win the Finals and series tend to shorten as the playoffs progress. Teams with the best odds to win the NBA Finals are usually the favorites to win their respective series and usually carry a heavy vig. For example, the Philadelphia 76er are heavy favorites against the Brooklyn Nets at -900. That means bettors would have to wager $900 to win $100.
Bettors may be able to find value in betting on the favorite to win a series in a specific number of games. For example, one could bet on the Phoenix Suns to win their series against the L.A. Clippers in five games at +230, meaning a winning wager would net $230 for every $100 wagered.
If you want to learn more about how to bet on basketball, make sure to read our comprehensive guide to NBA betting.
How long are NBA playoff series?
NBA Playoff series are best-of-seven affairs from the first round to the NBA Finals. The first team to win four games advances to the next round.
