The 2024 NBA playoffs are officially underway. We have four games of high-stakes action today. As expected, I have curated the best NBA playoff bets for April 21, 2024.
Best NBA Playoffs Bets For April 21, 2024
Celtics vs. Heat
1pm EST
Boston, MA
TD Garden
These teams are so familiar with each other and are some of the biggest rivals in the league. They have now met in the playoffs three times over the last three years. This will be the first such meeting in the first round, though. These teams have faced each other in back-to-back conference finals in 2022 and 2023.
Injury Report:
Missing Today
Luke Kornet (Calf)
Terry Rozier (Neck)
Jimmy Butler (Knee)
Josh Richardson (Shoulder)
Questionable
Duncan Robinson (Back)
Celtics vs. Heat Best Bet
Celtics -14.0 is the bet to make. The Celtics will be at full strength for game one. This is a team that had a net rating of 11.6, the fourth-highest in NBA history. So not only are we looking at a one seed, we’re looking at an absolute juggernaut of a team.
The Celtics have had doubts about their title credentials all year. I expect them to make a statement win here. Don’t be scared by the big spread; this is a team that is familiar with dominating teams. They finished this season with a point differential of +930!
Value bet/best odds: Celtics -14.0 @ -110 @ DraftKings
Clippers vs. Mavericks
3:30 pm EST
Los Angeles, CA
Crypto.com Arena
This is another familiar matchup. These teams have faced each other in the first round in 2020 and 2021. So this will be their third first-round meeting in three years.
This is a year of referendum for the current Kawhi Leonard-led Clippers core. An early exit in this first round will leave a bad taste in their mouth, especially as they move to their new arena. When this core was put together, the intention was to bring a championship to a franchise synonymous with failure. So far, that has not happened. With Paul George not being offered a contract extension yet, this might be this core’s last shot.
Injury Report
Questionable
Kawhi Leonard (Knee)
Tim Hardaway Jr (Illness)
Clippers vs. Mavericks Best Bet
Mavericks -2.5 is the bet to make. The Mavs are favored despite being the lower seed and for good reason. For one, we’re not certain about the version of Kawhi Leonard we could see in this tie. Often this season, the Clippers have been Kawhi or bust. It’s why they are limping into this game on a three-game losing streak.
The Mavericks have arguably been the most in-form team heading into the playoffs. They became a two-way force down the stretch behind the tandem of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Expect them to pull off a victory on the road.
Value bet/best odds @ -110 @ DraftKings
Bucks vs. Pacers
Bet365 –
7:00 pm EST
Milwaukee, WI
Fiserv Forum
This is the first time these divisional rivals will face in the postseason since 2000. The two teams faced off five times in the regular season. With what has happened between both teams this season, perhaps this could be the most bitter rivalry in this postseason.
Injury Report
Missing Tonight
Bennedict Mathurin (Shoulder)
Questionable
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Calf)
Bucks vs. Pacers Best Bet
Pacers -1.5 is the bet to make. These two teams faced each other a whopping five times. So we have a pretty good idea about this matchup. Specifically, they faced each other in the In-Season tournament which gave us insight into how these two teams will fare in a high-stakes environment.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo could return, it’s unrealistic to expect to see him at his usual high standards. The Pacers are the exact team the Bucks wouldn’t want to face. They play extremely fast, which is a strength against this older Bucks roster.
Value bet/best odds @ -110 @ Draftkings
These are our best NBA playoff bets for April 21, 2024.
