Odds to win 2024 NBA Championship entering the first round of playoffs

The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs begins Saturday, April 20 with four games on the schedule. The championship chase has officially been whittled down to 16 teams after the conclusion of the play-in tournament, so now’s a good time to take a look at team futures for the 2024 NBA title. Here’s a look at where each team stands as the playoffs begin, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Boston Celtics, who have the league’s best record and are the top seed in the East, remain the favorites to win the championship at +145. The defending champions Denver Nuggets are a close second at +300. Both Boston and Denver will get their opponents from the conference finals a year ago in the first round, with the Celtics facing the Heat while the Nuggets take on the Lakers. Miami is without Jimmy Butler for at least a few weeks as the star deals with a sprained MCL, putting the team at +7500 to win it all. The Lakers are priced at +2000 after surging at the end of the regular season and winning the first play-in game.

It’s a bit surprising to see the Los Angeles Clippers at +1200, especially since they are betting underdogs to win their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas is +1600 to win it all, tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are the No. 1 seed in the West.

For those looking at a longshot bet outside of the Celtics and Nuggets, the Philadelphia 76ers at +1700 and the Phoenix Suns at +1900 are looking like solid options. The 76ers have Joel Embiid back and get a favorable matchup against the Knicks. They would avoid Boston until the conference finals in a hypothetical playoff path. The Suns get a Timberwolves side they dominated in the regular season, and would have a potential rematch with Denver in the second round. If Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal click, that team has the firepower to get to the Finals. At that point, it comes down to just one series where anything can happen.