The NBA Playoffs are set to begin with a mix of new contenders and familiar favorites vying for the title. The Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting an impressive 68-win regular season, are favored to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy at +175. They are followed by the defending champion Boston Celtics and the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers. Oklahoma City aims to learn from their early exit in last year’s playoffs and build on their dominant regular season performance.
Among the best teams against the spread this season are the Thunder, Cavaliers, Raptors, Clippers, and Trail Blazers, while the Kings, Pelicans, Wizards, Suns, and 76ers had the worst ATS records.
In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics and Cavaliers are the top contenders, with Boston heavily favored to make it to the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers have shown significant improvement this season and are considered a strong contender in the East.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder are expected to advance to the Finals, with the Lakers and Warriors also viewed as contenders. Golden State’s acquisition of Jimmy Butler has had a positive impact on their performance, although they will have to go through the Play-In Tournament.
Overall, the NBA Playoffs are shaping up to be an exciting and competitive event, with a mix of seasoned teams and rising stars all vying for the championship title. Fans can expect to see thrilling matchups and intense competition as the battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy unfolds.
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