The second half of the National Basketball Association is underway. There is a log jam for the top of both of the Western Conference, with a handful of teams making a case that they are the team to beat. In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have run away with the top of the standings, but several teams have improved their armor in an effort to chase Boston down in the postseason.
This is going to be a great playoff season.
Let’s take a look at some of the NBA Championship matchups with betting odds:
Betting Possible 2024 NBA Championship Matchups | MyBookie Basketball Preview for the Final Series
2023–24 NBA season | 78th season of the National Basketball Association
Finals | Starting June 6th, 2024
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets +500
The Boston Celtics have taken control of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics hold a six game lead with just over 25 games to go in the regular season. The Celtics appear to be locked into the top seed. But, they had the top seed a season ago, and fell a game short. Look for that to be their momentum to push them over the top this season. For the Nuggets, getting back to the NBA Finals is their lone goal this season. Many did not buy them as legit champions last season, and they are here to prove otherwise.
Celtics vs. Nuggets
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Clippers +600
Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden. What a matchup this would be. The history of the Celtics and their success against a Clippers organization that has not had the title success. Boston to Los Angeles for a June series. The storylines are there. The talent is there. This is the second best odds according to oddsmakers. The Clippers head into the second half of the season just two games back of Minnesota for the top seed.
Celtics vs. Clippers
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets +1100
Giannis now has a running mate in Damian Lillard. Both of those guys can take over a game, and possibly a series. Things have not been all that smooth for Milwaukee as they are in third in the Eastern Conference, but they are comfortably heading to the postseason. The matchups are kind for Milwaukee, now if they can get it done. After a first round loss a season ago, they have a little chip on their shoulder. For Denver, playing someone other than Miami may be a bit of fresh air, as the Heat gave them a pretty good test a season ago in June.
Bucks vs. Nuggets
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers +1200
This would be termed the Doc Rivers series. Rivers took over for the Bucks as the head coach following the firing of Adrian Griffin. Rivers used to coach the Clippers. It would be a very interesting matchup seeing how the Greek Freak goes against the Clippers and their big 3 of talented players. A series that has not seen a ton of postseason success, despite Milwaukee getting one title recently. This exact series starts the season half of the season at 12/1 odds to be done in June.
Bucks vs. Clippers
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns +1600
The third series which features the Boston Celtics. There is a reason for this. The Celtics are easily the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. For Phoenix, we are starting to see bits and pieces of what they expected when they put Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal together. The Suns are in fifth in the Western Conference, and would love to find a way to see either Minnesota or Oklahoma City before the likes of Denver or the Clippers. The experience factor is the difference there.
Celtics vs. Suns
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns +3300
The Bucks grabbed Damian Lillard in the off-season, and the Suns put their Big 3 together. We would find a NBA Finals with major star power putting these two teams together. Lillard obviously has seen Phoenix plenty over the years. Could the Suns guard him and his ability to score from anywhere on the court? Milwaukee, and their quick pace may not like that game with three elite scorers on the other end for the Suns. This would be a very entertaining series. The Bucks and Suns are listed at 33/1 to play in the NBA Finals.
Bucks vs. Suns
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks +3400
Another series that involves the Boston Celtics winning the Eastern Conference. While the Cavaliers, Knicks, 76ers and even Pacers have had good seasons, it really comes down to Boston and Milwaukee out of the East. This series would be a long shot, but with Luka Doncic in the mix, one you cannot count out. Doncic is the current NBA leader in scoring. Him going up against Jayson Tatum would be entertainment at it’s finest. This series starts the second half of the season at 34/1 odds.
Celtics vs. Mavericks
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers +5000
The history lovers in the National Basketball Association would love this matchup. This is one we saw in the previous years many times. The old Larry Bird and the Celtics against Magic Johnson and the Lakers days. The Lakers are a long shot. They are a long shot, because they start the second half of the season 9th in the Western Conference. Before the days of the play-in, the Lakers would be on the outside looking in. We have seen the Lakers be able to pick up their energy and their play, as they are in-season tournament champions. Could they do that enough to get 12+ wins and advance to the NBA Finals? It would be quite the feat for 39 year old LeBron James, who is full of great feats.
Celtics vs. Lakers
Possible Championship Matchup | Odds for the NBA Championship
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Others to Consider:
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Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves +1700
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Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder +1700
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves +3500
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder +3500
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Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets +4700
This is going to be a great finish to the regular season in the National Basketball Association, and we expect the postseason to be just as fun and wild. When push comes to shove, our prediction is the chalk – Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets. They are the two best teams in the league, and should be able to win 12 games to get to the NBA Finals.
Odds for the Teams to Make the NBA Playoffs MyBookie Betting Lines for the Postseason
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Enjoy the rest of the season and best of luck with all your NBA Betting!
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Early NBA Finals Betting Predictions: Possible 2023 Championship Matchups
Previous Betting News
The 2022-2023 National Basketball Association regular season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 18 when the Golden State Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers travel to Boston to take on the Celtics. From Tuesday until April, teams will jockey position for the right to win rings in the 2023 NBA Finals. Keep reading for possible Championship series matchups so you can start planning your bets against the best NBA Championship Odds available.
NBA Finals Possible Matchups to Look For and Bet On 2023
2023 NBA Finals
When: Late May – June, 2023
The only rule with these matchups is we can’t use the same teams for each NBA Finals Series. So, for example, since we use the Bucks versus Suns as the top possible matchup, we can’t use the Suns or Bucks for our second most probable matchup.
Check out the matchups!
Top Possible Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns
The 2021 NBA Finals between the Bucks and Suns produced excellent basketball. The matchup would be even more thrilling in 2023 because the Suns have kept their nucleus together and the Bucks, hopefully, will be one-hundred percent healthy.
Milwaukee failed in last season’s playoffs because Khris Middleton got hurt. Khris should be okay by the time the playoffs roll around this season.
The Suns ditched the hangover that had become owner Robert Sarver. Sarver is selling the team. So Phoenix should have their minds more on hoops.
Second Probable Matchup: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors
James Harden resigned with the Sixers. Harden’s presence should help relieve pressure from burgeoning point guard star Tyrese Maxey.
If Maxey takes the next step, Philly should excel because no player dominates the paint like Joel Embiid. The 76ers have a legit shot to take over as the top team in the Eastern Conference.
The Golden State Warriors will be a good basketball squad. But the Warriors go lucky because the Dallas Mavericks ended the Suns’ playoff run before the Western Conference Finals.
If Phoenix doesn’t get upset, who knows? Maybe, Curry and his mates don’t even make the 2022 NBA Championship Series.
In any case, Golden State will have a chance at the repeat. But a more focused Suns squad will be tough to beat.
Third Probable Matchup: Boston Celtics vs. L.A. Clippers
The Celtics made a great run but fell short of beating the Warriors in 2022. This season, Boston is an underlay at their odds.
One of the reasons the Celtics beat Miami and made it to the final series last season is because coach Ime Udoka made brilliant moves throughout the regular season and playoffs. Udoka is suspended for the season.
The Clippers look solid on paper. But Kawhi Leonard plays for the first time in 2 seasons. So it’s difficult to make Clippers versus Celtics any better than the third most probable NBA Finals matchup.
Top Under the Radar Matchup: Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat
Denver guard Jamal Murray will play this season. If Murray plays his way into shape, he will boost a team that includes the two-time reigning NBA MVP in Nikola Jokic.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will start Tyler Herro. Tyler was hurt for most of last season. If he doesn’t get injured this season, expect Miami to make another deep run in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Top Underdogs Only Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Rudy Gobert is one of the top centers in the league. The fact the T’Wolves will pair Rudy with Karl-Anthony Towns makes for one of the NBA’s best frontcourts.
Not only that, but Anthony Edwards has the talent to jump into the top five best players in the league category. If Edwards develops more this season, Minnesota can win the West.
Cleveland added Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs will pair Mitchell with the terrific Darius Garland. The backcourt duo immediately becomes one of the best in the NBA.
It sounds impossible, but Cavaliers versus T’Wolves for the title can happen. If you like to throw money behind longshots and you find a bet pairing Minnesota and Cleveland to face off in the NBA Finals, consider backing the option.
2022 NBA Finals Betting Predictions for Possible Championship Matchups
Previous Betting News
And just like that, we are down to the final four teams in the NBA playoffs. The one thing that we can say for sure is that we will have a new champion this season, but who that team will be remains to be seen. There are 4 possible matchups for the NBA Finals, a couple of which seem more likely than the others. What we are going to do now is take a look at the possibility of all those different matchups happening so you can bet against the NBA Championship Odds. Let’s get right into it.
Possible Finals Matchups to Foresee | NBA Playoffs Betting
Golden State Warriors Vs Boston Celtics
Given that each of these teams are the favorites to win their respective series, this looks to be the most likely NBA Finals scenario. The Warriors are in as a favorite to beat the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Final, as well as being the favorite to win it all, but it should be noted that they lost 3 of 4 to the Mavericks in the regular season. The Warriors knocked off the Nuggets in 5 before down Memphis in 6 games. The Boston Celtics are also in as favorites against the Miami Heat after knocking out the defending champions in 7 games. We’ll get into more about them in a moment.
Golden State Warriors Vs Miami Heat
Another thing to take into account is that the Warriors have a ton of playoff experience, making them very tough to beat. They have been rolling along quite nicely, but they would have their hands full with the Miami Heat. The Heat did lose 2 of 3 to the Celtics in the regular season, so it is perhaps no real surprise that they are in as the underdog in the Eastern Conference Final. They won the East, so cannot be counted out, plus they had an 18-12 record versus teams from the West this season.
Boston Celtics Vs Dallas Mavericks
Like we said, the Miami Heat are in as the underdog versus the Celtics despite the fact that they are the #1 seed in the East and have home court advantage. As previously stated, though, they did not play particularly well versus the Celtics in the regular season, but we all know that this is something that tends to go out the window in the regular season. Similarly, the Dallas Mavericks have the longest odds to win the NBA Championship, but they cannot be written off after beating the Warriors in 3 of their 4 regular season meetings.
Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat
As it stands right now, the Miami Heat are listed at +390 to win the NBA Finals, while the Mavericks are sitting at +540. That means that they are both the underdogs heading into their respective Conference Finals series, which would suggest that this meeting looks to be a bit of a longshot. Stranger things have happened, though, and both of these teams are very much deserving to be where they are right now. The Heat went 18-12 versus non-conference opponents, while the Mavericks went 16-14, so not a lot separating them there.
2022 NBA Championship Betting Predictions of the Possible Finals Matchups to Look For
Previous Betting News
In just a matter of a few days, we will know which 4 teams will be heading into the Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs. The 4 series are all incredibly tight, although we do have a couple of teams on the brink of clinching a spot in the next round. There have been no huge surprises throughput the postseason, as there is no team lower than the #4 seed currently still alive. Most fans are aware of the final they would like to see happen, but there are several different permutations that could still come into play. Let’s now look ahead to some potential matchups in the 2022 NBA Finals so you can plan your bets against the NBA Championship Odds.
Basketball Betting Predictions of the 2022 NBA Championship Finals Matchups
Phoenix Suns Vs Miami Heat
The two #1 seeds in each conference are still alive and well, with both now on the brink of moving on. The Suns have been in a great fight with the Dallas Mavericks, but they look set to move on after taking a 3-2 series lead with a Game 5 win. It is much the same story for the Miami Heat, who now have a 3-2 lead over a battling Philadelphia 76ers team. You would like both of these teams to make it to the next round at this point, but whether they can then make it to the Finals remains to be seen. A battle between the two #1 seeds would be fitting, but it might not happen.
Golden State Warriors Vs Milwaukee Bucks
You can bet that there are a lot of fans out there who would like to see this matchup in the NBA Finals. After all, you would have the defending champions going against a Warriors team that looks close to being back to the squad that won titles in recent years. The Warriors look set to move on for sure, taking a 3-1 lead over Memphis, who look to now have lost Ja Morant to injury for the rest of the season. The Milwaukee Bucks still have some work to do, as they are currently tied up at 2-2 with the Boston Celtics. The all-important Game 5 goes on Wednesday night, with one of these teams set to take a stranglehold on the series.
Dallas Mavericks Vs Boston Celtics
It has taken some time and effort, but the Dallas Mavericks once again look like a team ready to challenge for a championship. That said, they may still be a piece or two away from going all the way, but even at 3-2 down in their series with the Phoenix Suns, I would not yet count them out. The Boston Celtics have a tough path ahead of them as they try to end the Bucks hopes of a repeat. Game 5 will go a long way toward deciding who gets one step closer to the NBA Finals, but you can bet that there are a lot of fans out there who would love to see the Celtics back in the Finals.
There are a couple of other potential matchups that we could see, but these are the ones that seem the most likely. No matter how it all plays out, we can only hope that we get a great Finals and an exciting series.
2022 NBA Championship Betting Predictions: Possible Finals Matchups Fans Want to See
Previous Betting News
The NBA has decided on a Finals’ start date. The Association’s championship series starts on June 2. If required, Game 7 happens on June 17. So for an entire 15 days, the best from the Eastern Conference and the best from the Western Conference will throw down for the right to lift the NBA title trophy. Check out possible NBA Finals matchups so you can plan your bets and place them against the NBA Championship Odds.
Possible NBA Finals Matchups: The Championship Series Starts on June 2
2022 NBA Finals
When: Thursday, June 2 – Friday, June 17
Most exciting matchup: Golden State Warriors vs Milwaukee Bucks
It doesn’t get any more exciting than arguably the two most important players in the NBA throwing down for a championship. Steph Curry practically saved the Association.
We mustn’t forget that when Curry was on his way up, the great Kobe Bryant was on his way out. Steph reminded basketball fans that the league was in good hands during Golden State’s immaculate championship runs.
Curry isn’t close to being on his way out. But Giannis Antetokounmpo, no matter the fact he hasn’t won the MVP the past two seasons, is the most significant player in the league.
Giannis led his team to an NBA Finals win last season. He’s hoping to repeat the effort while Steph is hoping to lead the Warriors back to the top.
Best small market matchup: Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat
Phoenix and Miami remain two of the top small market teams in the league. They also play blue collar basketball that relies on three-point shooting success.
At 37.9%, Miami ranks first in three-point shooting percentage. But the Heat also rank fourth or better in field goal percentage allowed, 44.7%, points allowed per game, 105.6, and three-point percentage allowed, 33.9%.
Phoenix shoots 36.4% from three, ranking ninth, and allow 34% from behind the arc, ranking fifth. The Suns allow 44.4% from the field, ranking third in the league.
Not only do both small market teams shoot the three well and play great defense, but they are both led by underrated players, Devin Booker for the Suns and Jimmy Butler for the Heat. A Miami versus Phoenix finals would be fantastic.
Historic matchup: Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors
Boston might be the league’s most historic franchise. The Celtics have won 21 NBA Championships, ranking second only to the rival Lakers.
The Golden State Warriors are third on the list with 11 titles. Yes, third, ahead of the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons.
Golden State won the 1947, 1956, and 1974 NBA Finals. Then came the Splash Brother victories in 2015, and back-to-back championship series wins in 2017 and 2018.
A Celtics versus Warriors NBA Finals would be a series between two of the most historic franchises in NBA history.
Most improbable matchup: Memphis Grizzlies or Dallas Mavericks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Golden State rallied in Game 4 to beat Memphis 101-98. The Warriors shouldn’t allow Memphis to come back from a 3 games to 1 deficit.
Dallas tied Phoenix with a Game 4 win. The Mavericks still have a tough hill climb to beat the Suns and win the series.
So the Dallas Mavericks shouldn’t even make the Western Conference Finals, much less beat the Golden State Warriors and make it to the NBA Finals.
The Philadelphia 76ers are tied 2-2 with the Miami Heat. But even if Philly pulls off the upset against the Heat, they must beat either Boston or Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Improbable matchups can happen. But in the Association, they rarely happen and this season, it seems more than improbable that the Sixers end up facing the Grizzlies or the Mavs in the 2022 NBA Finals.
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