EASTERN CONFERENCE
Miami vs. Boston
Series odds – Celtics -8000, Heat +2000
Here we go again. Miami’s dominance over the Bulls, especially minus injured Jimmy Butler, certainly gives the Celtics something to think about. This iteration of the Tatum/Brown Celtics won 64 games but still has to shake its rep as playoff underachievers, especially after losing to the Heat in the EC finals a year ago. The Heat’s zone defense confused the Celtics last year, but Kristaps Porzingis may be able to neutralize that with his inside/outside game.
Milwaukee vs. Indianapolis
Series odds – Pacers -122, Bucks +100
Will the Bucks be toes up by the time Giannis Antetokounmpo returns from that nasty calf strain? Basically, Milwaukee’s chances depend on whether the answer to that question is yes or no. With trigger man Tyrese Halliburton (he led the league is assists) running the show, Indy will push the pace as much as possible to wear out Damien Lillard and Milwaukee’s porous perimeter defense.
Orlando vs. Cleveland
Series odds – Cavaliers -195 Magic +165
Cleveland tested the karma gods by its less-than-intense effort in the season finale – a loss which gave them a matchup with Orlando instead of the Pacers in Round 1. We’ll see how the NBA gods respond. The Magic have plenty of bulletin board material after that snub, and one thing if for sure – Orlando will muck it up and toss an elbow here or there. The teams split four games this season, but so many players were out and injured that there’s not much to be gleaned from that.
Philadelphia vs. New York
Series odds – 76ers -110, Knicks -110
Joel Embiid looked more than decent in the Play In win over Miami, but he tends to fade late in series. A blowout either way early in the series would give Philly a chance to keep his minutes down, but oddsmakers seem to think this is a coin flip matchup that could go seven. With Julius Randle out, Philly figures to bang relentlessly on Jalen Brunson – even as the Knicks use the same strategy against Embiid. Both will have to pick themselves off the floor quite a bit.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
New Orleans vs. Oklahoma City
Series odds – Thunder -650, Pelicans +440
Playing with pace becomes a lot more difficult when the regular season ends and playoffs begin, but OKC will give it a go. The Thunder will have had a week off when they take on the Pelicans, closing out the season with a 5-game winning streak as they probably would have preferred to take advantage of young legs. Without its jackhammer, Zion Williamson, for the series (he’s out two more weeks), the Pels will have to adjust on the fly.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver
Series odds – Nuggets -420, Lakers +310
Here we go again. LA’s improbable playoff run ended in Denver’s WC finals sweep last season, and oddsmakers figure something similar will happen again. The Lakers are the biggest WC underdogs but have flipped on the light switch since the All-Star Game. Nicola Jokic is waiting for official word on another MVP award, and LeBron James gets at least another four games to add to his legacy. Is any big in the league playing better than Anthony Davis right now?
Phoenix vs. Minnesota
Series odds – Suns -140, Timberwolves +114
Injuries robbed us from seeing exactly how good the Suns could be, with stars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal playing the equivalent of only 18 full games together. But Phoenix did finish strong, avoided the Play In and defeated Minnesota twice in the last 10 games. The T-Wolves get after it on defense with an enormous front line of Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels -- along with MVP candidate Anthony Edwards.
Dallas vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Series odds – Mavericks -118, Clippers -104
Another 4/5 series with a razor thin margin. Dallas is a slight favorite in this one, befitting its white-hot finish to the season. Things could go off the rails any time with Kyrie Irving, but this year he has been both on the court and effective. And speaking of actually playing, Kawhi Leonard appeared in 68 games this year, more than in any season since 2016-17 with San Antonio. The Clips would love a long playoff run to juice their move to their own arena next season.