NBA Playoff Preview 2024: Best Champion Odds, Current Seeding, & Dark Horse Pick

This 2023-24 NBA playoff preview and best NBA Finals bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the 2024 basketball season to the UFC and everything in between.

We’re nearly halfway through April, which only means one thing: the 2023-24 NBA playoffs are nearly here.

There’s nothing like the basketball postseason as the league’s best teams compete to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The Denver Nuggets reached the top of the mountain last year, leaving time to tell who’ll be this year’s champion.

Daniel Gafford on the NBA Playoffs being so close:

“I’m pretty sure everybody is excited. It’s a business so we gotta make sure to take care of business going down the road…In the great words of Kobe Bryant, God rest his soul, ‘The job’s not done until it’s done’…” pic.twitter.com/QO6HzeIyOs

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) April 10, 2024

Even though there are a few days remaining in the regular season, it’s never too early to think about the NBA postseason and the best bets it features. Figuring out where to begin can be tough, though, which is why Betting News is here to make your life easier.

Continue reading my NBA playoff preview as we look at the current seeding, the latest Finals odds, and my favorite dark horse pick.

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NBA Playoff Preview 2024: Current Postseason Seeding

Although things can change in the coming days, here’s a look at how the NBA playoffs would look if they began today. It’s also worth noting that all 20 teams listed have at least qualified for the Play-In Tournament.

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Seeding

1. Boston Celtics (62-17) — Clinched No. 1 seed
2. Milwaukee Bucks (48-31) — Clinched playoff spot
3. New York Knicks (47-32)
4. Orlando Magic (46-33)
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (46-33)
6. Indiana Pacers (46-34)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (45-35)
8. Miami Heat (44-35)
9. Chicago Bulls (37-42) — Clinched Play-In spot
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-43) — Clinched Play-In spot

NBA Western Conference Playoff Seeding

1. Minnesota Timberwolves (55-24) — Clinched playoff spot
2. Denver Nuggets (55-24) — Clinched playoff spot
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (54-25) — Clinched playoff spot
4. LA Clippers (51-28) — Clinched playoff spot
5. Dallas Mavericks (49-30) — Clinched playoff spot
6. New Orleans Pelicans (47-32)
7. Phoenix Suns (46-33)
8. Sacramento Kings (45-34)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (45-35)
10. Golden State Warriors (44-35)

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2023-24 NBA Finals Odds & Championship Pick

The following 2023-24 NBA Finals odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, April 10 at 10:07 a.m. ET. 

• Boston Celtics (+165)
• Denver Nuggets (+360)
• LA Clippers (+850)
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1100)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (+1400)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1800)
• Dallas Mavericks (+2000)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+2200)
• Philadelphia 76ers (+2200)
• Phoenix Suns (+2200)
• Miami Heat (+3500)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+4000)
• Golden State Warriors (+4000)
• New York Knicks (+6000)
• New Orleans Pelicans (+6600)
• Sacramento Kings (+12500)
• Indiana Pacers (+15000)
• Orlando Magic (+20000)
• Atlanta Hawks (+75000)
• Chicago Bulls (+75000)

Sometimes the most obvious pick is the right one, which is why the Boston Celtics are my current 2023-24 NBA Finals pick.

The Celtics have been the NBA’s best team throughout the season and now head into the playoffs with the best record. It’s also the franchise’s first time hitting the 60-win mark since the 2008-09 season, which highlights just how impressive their run has been.

It’s just hard to find any real holes in Boston’s game. The Celtics are one of the league’s top squads in the majority of statistics, including points (2nd), threes made (1st), three-point percentage (3rd), rebounds (2nd), blocks (2nd), and average scoring margin (1st). They also have the benefit of playing in front of a rowdy TD Garden crowd, which has resulted in a 35-3 SU home record thus far.

TD Garden has been a difference-maker for the Celtics throughout the 2023-24 season. Will that success extend into the NBA playoffs?

Let’s not forget about the plethora of world-class talent that Boston boasts.

Jayson Tatum continues to be a rising superstar while Jaylen Brown is in the middle of another All-Star campaign. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have both lived up to expectations following their offseason arrivals. That’s without mentioning how the likes of Al Horford, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser are all having strong seasons, too.

It’s just hard to imagine any team beating the Celtics in an NBA playoff series. Hell, there wasn’t a point at all this season where Boston lost four games in a seven-game span, highlighting its ability to bounce back from defeat.

Considering how their odds will only get shorter as the postseason continues, jump on the Celtics hype train while you still can.

2023-24 NBA Finals Pick: Boston Celtics (+165)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 regular-season and playoff game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news, futures betting, and best bets predictions
• How to bet on the NBA
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

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NBA Playoff Preview: 2023-24 Dark Horse Championship Pick

Even though the Celtics are my NBA Championship pick, nothing is guaranteed. Favorites have fallen in the past while unlikely teams have shocked experts and fans alike to go on and win a title. Besides, there’s always extra value when betting on an underdog.

With that in mind, the Phoenix Suns (+2200) are my 2023-24 NBA Finals dark horse pick.

The Phoenix Suns are one of the more intriguing dark horse championship picks. 

There was a lot of hype surrounding the Suns ahead of the 2023-24 season. In addition to it being Devin Booker’s first full campaign playing alongside Kevin Durant, Phoenix had also acquired veteran sharpshooter Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards during the offseason.

Unfortunately, the season didn’t begin as the Suns planned as injuries prevented their ‘Big 3’ from sharing the court. Phoenix went on to play to an uninspiring 14-15 record through the first 29 games, leaving fans to wonder if this team was simply overhyped.

But as the season progressed and the lineup became healthier, the Suns began to turn things around. Since Dec. 27, Frank Vogel’s team ranks fifth in the NBA with a 64.0% winning percentage, which is better than alleged championship contenders like the Dallas Mavericks (63.3%) and Milwaukee Bucks (53.1%).

During that stretch, the Suns also rank seventh in points, eighth in steals, sixth in blocks, second in field-goal percentage, fifth in 3P%, and seventh in point differential.

Even if they aren’t high in the standings, it’s clear that the Suns are better than their playoff positioning implies. I doubt any of the top seeds would like to face them in a seven-game series.

As long as they remain healthy and the ‘Big 3’ continues to thrive, the Suns are legitimate NBA Championship threats.

2024 NBA Finals Dark Horse Pick: Phoenix Suns (+2200)

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NBA Playoffs 2023-24 FAQ

When are the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• The 2023-24 NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 20, and should be wrapped up by Sunday, June 23.

Where are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• The location of the 2023-24 NBA Finals will be determined once there is only one team remaining from each conference in the playoffs.

How can I watch the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Every game of the 2023-24 NBA postseason will be airing on ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV.

Where can I bet on the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Basketball bettors can wager on this year’s NBA playoffs and championship picks on the majority of online sportsbooks, including the following that Betting News highly recommends: