The primary spherical of the 2025 NBA Playoffs has arrived, with 4 video games going down throughout the Saturday NBA schedule. Now that the NBA playoff matchups are formally set, there are NBA odds for each first-round collection. The Boston Celtics are the heaviest favorites of any workforce within the opening spherical, listed at -8000 to advance previous the Orlando Magic within the NBA collection odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Cleveland (-4000 vs. Miami) and Oklahoma Metropolis (-4000 vs. Memphis) are each prohibitive favorites of their respective matchups on the NBA odds board.
Nonetheless, there are sports activities betting odds for the collection unfold and collection over/underneath for complete video games, amongst different NBA collection props, giving bettors loads of methods to assault the 2025 NBA Playoffs with their NBA collection bets. SportsLine’s confirmed workforce of information analysts have reviewed the SportsLine mannequin’s predictions and have revealed finest bets for NBA collection props. The mannequin has returned properly over $10,000 in betting revenue for $100 gamers on its top-rated NBA picks over the previous six-plus seasons and enters the 2025 NBA playoffs on a scorching 156-115 roll on all top-rated NBA picks relationship again to final season, returning almost $4,000.
Pistons (+2.5 video games) vs. Knicks (-155 at DraftKings)
Detroit was the worst workforce within the NBA final season, but it surely engineered the sixth-largest turnaround in league historical past. The Pistons beat the Knicks 3 times throughout the common season on their technique to the playoffs for the primary time since 2019. They received 19 of their remaining 31 video games, with star guard Cade Cunningham averaging a career-high 26.1 factors per recreation. He averaged 30.8 factors in 4 video games in opposition to the Knicks, and he’s supported by playoff veterans like Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley.
“Detroit’s a a lot better statistical workforce, particularly in 3pt diff, on the street so we see this as a way more aggressive collection than oddsmakers have them,” SportsLine Knowledge Analyst Stephen Oh stated. The mannequin has the Pistons at 76.4% to cowl the unfold, whereas the percentages suggest a 60.1% probability. The perfect value for this collection prop is at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bonus choose: SportsLine additionally has a number of specialists who focus on participant props, together with Alex Selesnick, who’s 125-86 (+1820) over his final 211 participant props. Go to SportsLine now to see who Selesnick is together with in his NBA participant prop picks for the primary spherical.
Timberwolves to upset Lakers (+160 at DraftKings)
Los Angeles picked up a 111-102 win over Minnesota within the lone assembly with Luka Doncic on the courtroom, however that recreation was performed in Los Angeles and Minnesota was with out Julius Randle. The Timberwolves went 17-4 to shut the common season, whereas the Lakers went simply 19-13 since buying Doncic. Minnesota has a star of its personal in Anthony Edwards, who averaged a team-high 27.6 factors per recreation this season. SportsLine’s mannequin thinks Minnesota has sufficient depth and steadiness to upset Los Angeles within the first spherical.
“The Lakers have three stars who can take over offensively and whereas Minnesota solely has Anthony Edwards in Luka and LeBron’s class of star, the Wolves have 4 or 5 gamers who you would not be shocked if they’ve six made 3-pointers,” Oh stated. Whereas the mannequin solely has Minnesota profitable in 47.4% of simulations, that value creates worth on the +160 line supplied by DraftKings.
Bonus choose! You can too view knowledgeable betting recommendation earlier than making NBA collection picks for the playoffs. Go to SportsLine now to see knowledgeable Bruce Marshall’s picks from an knowledgeable who’s 93-67-1 (+1830) over his final 161 NBA picks.
Bucks to upset Pacers (+145 at BetMGM)
The Pacers may need completed the common season with the higher document, however Milwaukee received the season collection and has far larger postseason expertise. The Bucks additionally closed the marketing campaign on an eight-game profitable streak, powered by famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo. He helped Milwaukee win three of the 4 conferences between these groups after lacking final yr’s playoff collection. Antetokounmpo averaged a triple-double in six April video games to complete the common season.
“You would argue that Milwaukee has the 2 finest gamers as a result of they’ve Giannis doing his regular scoring, rebounding and protection they usually have Magic Johnson Giannis dominating as the purpose guard, penetrating and discovering open 3-point shooters,” Oh stated. The mannequin cherished this guess at +180 earlier this week, but it surely nonetheless has skinny worth at +145, with one of the best value at BetMGM.
Need extra picks for the NBA Playoffs?
You’ve got seen the mannequin’s NBA picks for a number of collection. Now, get NBA picks for each NBA playoff recreation from the mannequin, which is on a 156-115 roll on top-rated NBA picks.