The NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals are here, so it’s time to look ahead to see who will move on to the Conference Finals before participating in the NBA Finals.
Below, we’ll provide our best bets for the remaining series, which include:
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakes vs. Golden State Warriors
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Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Best Bet: Miami Heat Win Series (-152)
The Heat are on fire right now. After knocking off the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat are already up 1-0 in the series against the Knicks.
The story of the Heat this season was their lack of scoring (last in the league with just over 110 points per game) while holding teams to the third-lowest average per game (110.2).
The Heat got another excellent performance from Jimmy Butler in Game 1, posting 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Gabe Vincent added 20 and Kyle Lowry 18.
The Knicks have some quality scorers in RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and, from Game 1, Obi Toppin. Still, momentum is on the Heat’s side as their defense continues to play well, and they’re scoring.
We’re not sure how long this will last, but it should at least help them get through this series. Don’t be surprised to see this go six or seven games.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Best Bet: Boston Celtics Win Series (-476)
The Celtics must be licking their chops after the Heat took down the Bucks. They have the clearest path to the NBA Finals of any team in the league right now, even with the 76ers on deck.
The 76ers are coming off a series in which they swept the Brooklyn Nets, but the Nets only scored above 100 once in the series and above 88 twice—the scoring wasn’t there for them at all.
Against Boston, the 76ers will take on the fourth-best scoring team in the league with multiple stars on the roster.
The 76ers also head into this series with Joel Embiid dealing with an LCL sprain, and his status moving forward is unknown.
With that injury and Boston’s ability on offense and defense, they should handle this one in five or six games.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
Best Bet: Phoenix Suns Win Series (+150)
In picking this series, you’re deciding whether you want to rely on star power or depth more. The former relates to the Suns, and the latter, the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are up in the series 1-0 after a 125-107 win. The 125 finish was about 10 points higher than the Nuggets season average, as they received contributions from multiple players.
The biggest question mark with the Suns, specifically Kevin Durant, is health. Durant missed plenty of time during the regular season, which should help with his postseason availability.
While you can’t help but root for Nikola Jokic, the star power will eventually win out here in seven games.
Los Angeles Lakes vs. Golden State Warriors
Best Bet: Los Angeles Lakers Win Series (+159)
While Steph Curry isn’t someone we’d ever recommend betting against, we will be here. The Lakers, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, aren’t a great matchup for them on paper.
The Warriors don’t have an answer for Davis down low unless Draymond Green can step to him. While Green is an excellent defender, a healthy Davis is a tough matchup to manage.
This series will put the Warriors defense to the test, and the Lakers should be able to nudge by it this year as Golden State allows over 117 points per game.
