Ben Harris
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NBA playoff predictions
The NBA playoffs are upon us and with it, comes our extensive coverage and expert NBA playoff predictions, available for every single game throughout the NBA playoffs, right through to the NBA finals.
Our NBA playoff predictions will be posted with plenty of time to allow you to digest the information, analysis, and NBA playoff predictions ahead of the biggest games of the NBA season. For all of our NBA playoff picks and predictions, head over to our NBA Picks and Predictions page to find our best NBA predictions this week.
NBA Eastern Conference playoffs – Eastern Conference teams and seeding
The Milwaukee Bucks head the pack in the Eastern Conference, despite only winning three of their eight games since the NBA’s restart on the 30th of July. The reigning NBA champions and second seeds, the Toronto Raptors, are snapping at their heels and will look to take their strong form into the playoffs after winning seven of their eight games since the restart.
The 8 2020 Eastern Conference playoff teams and their seeds are as follows;
- (1) Milwaukee Bucks
- (2) Toronto Raptors
- (3) Boston Celtics
- (4) Indiana Pacers
- (5) Miami Heat
- (6) Philadelphia 76ers
- (7) Brooklyn Nets
- (8) Orlando Magic
NBA playoff picture – NBA Eastern Conference playoff schedule (H2)
The NBA playoff picture has taken shape, after completing the NBA restart games, the route to the NBA finals is set, and the first-round games are upon us. Find the entire Eastern Conference First Round NBA playoff picture and individual series schedules are below.
(1) Milwaukee Bucks v (8) Orlando Magic
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 18 | Game 1 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | Game 2 | 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Game 3 | 1 p.m. |
| Aug. 24 | Game 4 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 28 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 30 | Game 7* | TBD |
(2) Toronto Raptors v (7) Brooklyn Nets
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 17 | Game 1 | 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 19 | Game 2 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 21 | Game 3 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | Game 4 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 27 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Game 7* | TBD |
(3) Boston Celtics v (6) Philadelphia 76ers
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 17 | Game 1 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 19 | Game 2 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 21 | Game 3 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | Game 4 | 1 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 27 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Game 7* | TBD |
(4) Indiana Pacers v (5) Miami Heat
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 18 | Game 1 | 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | Game 2 | 1 p.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Game 3 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 24 | Game 4 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 28 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 30 | Game 7* | TBD |
*Games, if required.
NBA Playoff odds – Eastern Conference Team Series Winner odds
The Eastern Conference is home to the two big priced favorites in the first round NBA Series Odds markets, unsurprisingly by the first and second seeds in the Bucks and the Raptors. The entire NBA Series Odds for the First Round of the NBA playoffs are as follows.
(1) Milwaukee Bucks -10000 v (8) Orlando Magic +1600
(2) Toronto Raptors -5000 v (7) Brooklyn Nets +1400
(3) Boston Celtics -400 v (6) Philadelphia 76ers +305
(4) Indiana Pacers +250 v (5) Miami Heat -335
NBA Western Conference playoffs – Western conference teams and seeding
The LA Lakers return to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2013 as the top seeds in the Western Conference but will look to put behind their slow start since the restart, after going 3-5 in their eight games. Their neighbors, the LA Clippers have been next best in the west, finishing three games back from the Lakers after going 5-3 since the restart.
The 8 2020 Western Conference playoff teams and their seeds are as follows;
- (1) Los Angeles Lakers
- (2) Los Angeles Clippers
- (3) Denver Nuggets
- (4) Houston Rockets
- (5) Oklahoma City Thunder
- (6) Utah Jazz
- (7) Dallas Mavericks
- (8) Portland Trail Blazers
NBA playoff picture – Western Conference playoff schedule
The Western Conference NBA playoff picture has taken shape, with the eight NBA restart games completed, the teams are set and the first-round matchups are upon us. The entire Western conference NBA playoff picture and individual series schedules are below.
(1) Los Angeles Lakers v (8) Portland Trail Blazers
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 18 | Game 1 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | Game 2 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Game 3 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 24 | Game 4 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 28 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 30 | Game 7* | TBD |
(2) Los Angeles Clippers v (7) Dallas Mavericks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 17 | Game 1 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 19 | Game 2 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 21 | Game 3 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | Game 4 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 27 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Game 7* | TBD |
(3) Denver Nuggets v (6) Utah Jazz
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 17 | Game 1 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 19 | Game 2 | 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 21 | Game 3 | 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | Game 4 | 9 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 27 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Game 7* | TBD |
(4) Houston Rockets v (5) Oklahoma City Thunder
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Aug. 18 | Game 1 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | Game 2 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Game 3 | 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 24 | Game 4 | 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | Game 5* | TBD |
| Aug. 28 | Game 6* | TBD |
| Aug. 30 | Game 7* | TBD |
*Games, if required.
NBA Playoff odds – Western Conference Team Series Winner odds
The Western Conference Series odds are slightly closer than those of the Eastern conference, with no runaway favorite like the Bucks or Raptors. The Lakers and Clippers both still start the NBA playoffs as strong favorites in the NBA series odds markets, with the other two first-round series’ much closer in the betting. The full Western Conference NBA series odds can be found below;
(1) Los Angeles Lakers -550 v (8) Portland Trail Blazers +435
(2) Los Angeles Clippers -450 v (7) Dallas Mavericks +375
(3) Denver Nuggets -200 v (6) Utah Jazz +160
(4) Houston Rockets -175 v (5) Oklahoma City Thunder +155
