As the regular season draws to a close, today marks a thrilling finale with all teams hitting the court for the last of the season’s matchups. In a packed schedule of 15 games, 12 hold critical consequences for playoff and play-in positions.
Let’s look at the betting odds on the upcoming matchups for these 12 games.
Eastern Conference Matchups
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have solidified their dominance, clinching the top seed with an impressive 63 wins. The race for the next tier of seeds remains wide open with the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers all aiming for the 2nd through 4th seeds. Further down the standings, the battle for the 5th to 8th seeds is heating up among the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.
Atlanta Hawks (10th) vs Indiana Pacers (6th)
The Atlanta Hawks have locked in the 10th seed and have nothing to play for. It is worth mentioning that they are currently on a 5-game losing streak. On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers managed a solid 6-4 record in their recent outings and are neck-and-neck with the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat in the race for higher seeding.
The Pacers face a key moment; a victory could potentially elevate them to the 5th seed, should the Magic lose in their game. However, a win along with a Magic victory will maintain the Pacers in the 6th seed, thanks to holding the tiebreaker advantage over the 76ers. The stakes are high, as a defeat could see them slip to the 7th or even 8th seed, depending on the outcomes of the games involving the Magic, 76ers, and Heat.
Toronto Raptors (12th) vs Miami Heat (10th)
The Toronto Raptors have locked the 12th-worst seed in the East and the 6th-worst position in the league and thus have nothing to play for. The Raptors are 2-8 in their last 10 games and are on a 3-game losing streak while the Miami Heat are 6-4 in their last 10 games. With a Heat win and a Pacers, Magic, and 76ers loss, the Heat can move up as far as the 5th seed as they would have the advantage in the tiebreaker as the division winner. With a loss, they would automatically be the 8th seed.
Bet on Raptors vs. Heat
Chicago Bulls (9th) vs New York Knicks (3rd)
The Chicago Bulls have locked in the 9th seed and have nothing to play for. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games while on a 2-game winning streak. The New York Knicks are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are on a 4-game winning streak. With a win and a Bucks loss, the Knicks would obtain the 2nd seed. With a loss, they can fall to the 4th seed depending on if the Bucks and Cavaliers win.
Charlotte Hornets (13th) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (4th)
The Charlotte Hornets have locked in the 13th seed and have nothing to play for. The Hornets are 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 5-5 in their last 10 games on a 2-game winning streak. The Cavaliers face a significant opportunity: a victory, combined with losses by the Bucks and Knicks, could raise them to the 2nd seed in the playoffs. However, a loss would cause them to fall to the 4th seed. The Cavaliers are resting key players, including Donovan Mitchell, and possibly Darius Garland, indicating a tactical decision to prioritize health and readiness for the postseason.
Bet on Bucks vs. Magic
Milwaukee Bucks (2nd) vs Orlando Magic (5th)
The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic have both been cold recently as the season is coming to an end. The Bucks are 3-7 in the last 10 games while the Magic are 4-6 and are currently on a 3-game losing streak. A Bucks win would clinch the 2nd seed while a loss could set them back as far as the 4th seed. The Magic can maintain their position as the 5th seed with a victory, provided the 76ers also lose. Conversely, a defeat against the Bucks could drastically affect their standing, sending them down to the 8th seed if the Sixers, Pacers, and Heat all secure wins.
Brooklyn Nets (11th) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7th)
The Brooklyn Nets have locked in the 11th seed and have nothing to play for. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Sixers are 7-3 in their last 10 while being on a 7-game winning streak with the return of their superstar Joel Embiid. The Sixers can clinch the 5th seed with a win of their own and a win from the Magic. A loss could bring them down to the 8th seed depending on the outcome of the Pacers, Magic, and Heat games.
| Away Team | Best Bet | Home Team | Best Bet | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | +14.0 (Pinnacle) | Indiana Pacers | -14.0 (DraftKings) | 1:00 PM |
| Toronto Raptors | +15.5 (BetVictor) | Miami Heat | -15.5 (Pinnacle) | 1:00 PM |
| Chicago Bulls | +14.5 (Pinnacle) | New York Knicks | -14.5 (BetRivers) | 1:00 PM |
| Charlotte Hornets | +13.5 (Pinnacle) | Cleveland Cavaliers | -13.0 (BetRivers) | 1:00 PM |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +5.0 (Pinnacle) | Orlando Magic | -4.5 (Unibet) | 1:00 PM |
| Brooklyn Nets | +16.5 (Bet365) | Philadelphia 76ers | -15.5 (DraftKings) | 1:00 PM |
Western Conference Matchups
In the West, every seed from 1st to 10th seed is there for taking aside from the 4th and 5th seeds occupied by the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. The battle for the conference’s top position is intensely contested, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets locked in a rare three-way tie for the first seed. Further down the seeding ladder, the 6th and 7th seeds are the subject of a heated contest between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, the 8th to 10th seeds are being contended by the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors.
Denver Nuggets (3rd) vs Memphis Grizzlies (13th)
The Denver Nuggets are 6-4 in their last 10 games after getting upset by Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs which hurt their chances for the 1st seed. The Nuggets now face a critical scenario: they can still clinch the 1st seed if they win their next game and both the Timberwolves and Thunder lose. If only one of those teams loses, the Nuggets would secure the 2nd seed, provided they also win. The Memphis Grizzlies are locked into the 13th seed and 7th-worst record in the league and have nothing to play for. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games while being on a 4-game losing streak and having up to 13 players on the injury report.
Portland Trail Blazers (15th) vs Sacramento Kings (9th)
The Sacramento Kings are 3-7 in their last 10 games while on a 3-game losing streak. They need a win and a loss from the Lakers to clinch the 8th seed. With a Lakers win, they will be fighting for the 9th seed which will grant them a homecourt advantage during the first game of the play-in tournament. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers, who are also struggling with a 2-8 record in their last 10 games and a four-game losing streak, face a different set of priorities. For Portland, a loss in their final game could serve their long-term interests better by improving their odds in the NBA draft lottery, depending on the outcomes of games involving the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs.
Bet on Jazz vs. Warriors
Utah Jazz (12th seed) vs Golden State Warriors (10th seed)
The Utah Jazz have nothing to play for as they locked in the 12th seed. A loss would ensure that if the Brooklyn Nets lose, they would be protected from the Nets for having better draft odds which would ultimately go to the Houston Rockets. They are 2-8 in their last 10 games and are on a 2-game losing streak.
The Golden State Warriors have been in formidable form, winning 8 of their last 10 games. They face a crucial scenario where a win, combined with losses from both the Kings and Lakers, would bring them to the 8th seed. This position would enhance their playoff trajectory considerably. Interestingly, despite the high stakes, Coach Steve Kerr has indicated plans to rest several key players in this matchup against the Jazz even though the Warriors are still battling for seeding.
Dallas Mavericks (5th) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (1st)
The Dallas Mavericks have already secured the 5th seed and, with their playoff position set, plan to rest their key players in the upcoming game. The Oklahoma City Thunder are 6-4 in their last 10 games while on a 4-game winning streak. For the Thunder, the implications of this game are significant. A victory would ensure they clinch the 1st seed if both the Timberwolves and Nuggets also win. However, the dynamics of tiebreaker rules come into play if the Thunder win, the Timberwolves also prevail, but the Nuggets lose; under these circumstances, the Thunder would fall to the 2nd seed.
Bet on Mavericks vs. Thunder
Phoenix Suns (7th) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (2nd)
The Phoenix Suns are 6-4 in their last 10 games while on a 2-game winning streak. A win against the Minnesota Timberwolves and a Pelicans loss would move them up to the 6th seed where they would avoid the play-in tournament. The Timberwolves have been hot with 7 wins in their last 10 games. For the Timberwolves, a win, combined with losses from either the Nuggets or Thunder, would clinch the 1st seed in the conference. However, a defeat could see them slide to the 3rd seed, altering their playoff trajectory significantly.
Los Angeles Lakers (8th) vs New Orleans Pelicans (6th)
The Los Angeles Lakers, boasting a strong 7-3 record in their last 10 games, face a pivotal matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. A victory would solidify their position as the 8th seed, allowing them to secure a playoff berth with a win in one of their next two games, rather than facing the tough task of two consecutive wins. Conversely, a loss, coupled with victories by both the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, would bring the Lakers to the 10th seed. The Pelicans are 5-5 in their last 10 games while on a 4-game winning streak. A win against the Lakers would secure the 6th seed while a loss and a Suns win would make them fall to the 7th seed, pushing them into the uncertainty of the play-in tournament.
| Away Team | Best Bet | Home Team | Best Bet | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | -12.0 (BetRivers) | Memphis Grizzlies | +14.5 (888Sport) | 3:30 PM |
| Portland Trail Blazers | -19.0 (DraftKings) | Sacramento Kings | -16.5 (DraftKings) | 3:30 PM |
| Utah Jazz | +7.5 (Proline+) | Golden State Warriors | -7.5 (888Sport) | 3:30 PM |
| Dallas Mavericks | +19.5 (Bet365) | Oklahoma City Thunder | -19.0 (DraftKings) | 3:30 PM |
| Phoenix Suns | +2.5 (Betway) | Minnesota Timberwolves | -1.5 (Betano) | 3:30 PM |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +3.5 (BetRivers) | New Orleans Pelicans | -2.5 (Betano) | 3:30 PM |
The NBA regular season is set to conclude with a dramatic final slate of games. With critical playoff and play-in positions at stake, the outcomes of today’s matchups could dramatically alter the postseason matchups. From the Eastern Conference’s top seed solidified by Boston to the fierce competition for seeding in the West, every game carries significant implications. This climactic final day of regular season basketball is poised to conclude with dramatic flair, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.
