With the start of the 2019 NBA playoffs set to get underway on April 14, now is a great time to offer up some expert NBA Playoffs betting predictions on seven, virtually sure-fire happenings that will take place once the postseason gets underway in nearly two weeks.
Whether you like one of the top NBA Finals favorites or a more under the radar title hopeful, the expert NBA betting predictions that you’re about to get will help you in your efforts to cash in consistently this coming postseason. With that said, let’s get started.
7 Betting Predictions We Can Make About the 2019 NBA Playoffs
The Clippers are in the top 10 in this week’s NBA power rankings after winning 10 of their past 11 games 😳 pic.twitter.com/FlagUZt9dI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 25 de marzo de 2019
1. Orlando Takes Two
The Orlando Magic (37-38) aren’t assured a spot in the playoffs, but I definitely like them to nail down as they currently sit in eight place in the Eastern Conference, but just a game out from being in sixth place. More importantly, I’m thinking the Magic are going to take at least two games off of whomever they pay in the first round. Not only has Orlando won six straight games at the time of this writing, but they’ve spanked Philly and subdued the desperate Miami Heat over their last two games while beating the likes of Milwaukee, Indiana, Brooklyn, Toronto and Golden State while going an encouraging 16-7 since the start of February. I don’t care who the Magic face in the first round, I say Orlando and their five double-digit scorers are winning two games minimum.
2. Brooklyn Is Losing In The First Round
Don’t get it twisted…the Brooklyn Nets (38-37) have had a fantastic season that will see them get into the postseason for the first time since the 2014-15 season. They’ve got a roster full of talented and underrated players that is led by former No. 2 overall draft pick D’Angelo Russell and they’ve got plenty of hunger. Unfortunately, Brooklyn isn’t nearly ready to beat one of the top three seeds – and right now, they’d meet Philly if the playoffs began today.
3. Detroit Is Losing In The First Round
While Blake Griffin is having a surprisingly solid season for Detroit (37-37) in averaging 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this season, Detroit is definitely getting bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. The Detroit Pistons are currently sitting in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and that would pit them against Toronto if the season ended today. If the Pistons end up facing either the raptors or Bucks, I’m thinking sweep. If they end up facing Philly, they’ll take one game at most.
4. Oklahoma City Gets The Boot In Round 1!
The Oklahoma City Thunder (43-31) might have two true superstars in Paul George and Russell Westbrook, but they haven’t looked very good when they face the Golden State Warriors this season. Yes, the Thunder did get past the Dubs once in three meetings this season, but their 110-88 smackdown loss against the Warriors on March 16 told me they won’t have a chance against Steph Curry and company if they meet in the first round. Even if the Thunder end up facing Denver in the first round like they would if the regular season ended today, things still look pretty bleak seeing as how the Nuggets have beaten them in all three meetings this season while holding them to 82 points or less in each meeting!
5. Houston and Golden State Meet in Conference Finals
I could have started off by predicting this, but then I would have ruined the opportunity to rip on Oklahoma City and I just couldn’t pass the chance up seeing as how I’m no Russell Westbrook fan. Anyway, I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to predict the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are going to meet in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight postseason. Houston currently sits in fourth place in the West with Golden State in a literal tie with Denver for first place. No matter….unless these two teams are forced to meet in a prior round, I’m going with Houston and Golden State to stage another epic series after going to distance in a flat-out thrilling series a year ago.
6. Boston vs. Indiana
The Indiana Pacers (45-29) might have lost all-star team leader Victor Oladipo to an ugly ruptured right quad tendon in January, but Indiana has kept their season afloat because of their stupendous defense which leads the league in fewest points allowed (103.9 ppg) and the ‘old school’ way they share the ball. Even with Oladipo out for the remainder of the regular season, the Pacers have a whopping seven players that all average double figures in scoring. More importantly, Indiana’s roster features a bunch of savvy veterans that won’t show any fear or lose their composure in the playoffs no matter who they’re facing – and right now – they’re set to face a Boston Celtics (44-31) team that has plenty of talent, but one that has underachieved all season long and now has the look of a team whose confidence – and chemistry – are both shaken.
Yes, this is a series that Boston could win, but right now, I smell an upset brewing if these two meet in the first round.
7. San Antonio vs. ???
While the San Antonio Spurs is currently in eight place in the Western Conference playoff chase, the perennial-winning Spurs (43-32) have been one of the hottest teams in the league in recent weeks and now they have the look of a dangerous team that could upset anyone not named Golden State. San Antonio has won seven of their last 10 games while winning 10 of their last 13 games overall. More importantly, San Antonio has recorded some seriously impressive wins over elite title hopefuls and favorites like Oklahoma City, Denver, Milwaukee, Golden State and Boston during their torrid stretch. If the Spurs can avoid the warriors in the first round, then they look like a value-packed team capable of pulling off more than one ‘upset’ this coming postseason.
