Barry Recks
After nearly 2,500 games – 2,460 to be exact – in the 2022-23 NBA regular season, it’s finally time for the NBA Playoffs. There’s still a long way to go before the league crowns a new champion, but it’s about to get even more serious, with the best of the best teams this season all set to go at each other in the postseason.
Read on for more about some of the favorites, sleepers, and a dark horse to be the last team standing in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NBA game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the 2023 NBA Playoffs
Favorites
Milwaukee Bucks (+265)
It’s easy to see why the Bucks are a favorite to win the NBA championship going into the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This team is loaded. It’s got a top-five player, who is also arguably the best in the world today in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo. At the same time, the Bucks have a stacked supporting cast surrounding the Greek Freak. Jrue Holiday is an elite weapon on both ends of the floor. Khris Middleton is a great fit as another scorer for the Bucks alongside Antetokounmpo. And then there’s Brook Lopez, who is a strong candidate to win the Defensive Player of the Year. The Bucks have the tools to not just make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs but also to win the franchise’s second NBA championship in three seasons.
Boston Celtics (+320)
The Celtics are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most NBA titles ever by a franchise in the league. They should be liking their chances of reclaiming the solo lead on that all-time list. For one, it was not that long ago when the Celtics went to the NBA Finals.
Last year, they fell just two wins short of capturing the franchise’s 18th NBA title when they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the league championship series. Nevertheless, the core of that team remains with the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the attack. The addition of Malcolm Brogdon to the team in the last offseason has been huge for the Celtics, with the former NBA Rookie of the Year award winner even in the running to capture this season’s honor for Sixth Man of the Year.
Phoenix Suns (+450)
The Suns were already viewed as a serious contender to win the 2022-23 NBA championship before the season even kicked off, but they got even scarier for the rest of the league when they added Kevin Durant midseason. Durant is still one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league, but he could also play fantastic defense. The combo of KD, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton is one that no team wishes to face in the playoffs. This could be the year when Paul finally gets that ever-elusive NBA ring.
Sleepers
Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500)
For the first time since LeBron James left Cleveland the second time, the Cavs are going to play in the NBA Playoffs. Not only that but they finished the 2022-23 NBA regular season with over 50 wins. Donovan Mitchell’s arrival in The Land has worked wonders for the Cavs, who are spectacular on both offense and defense.
Cleveland is a top-10 team in adjusted offensive rating and in adjusted defensive rating. They have excellent shot creators in Mitchell and Darius Garland and an intimidating interior defense bannered by the duo of Evan Mobley and Harrett Allen. They finish well at the rim and generate plenty of 3-pointers. The Cavs are definitely going to be a headache to face in the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings (+7000)
The Kings are the feel-good story of the NBA this season, as they are set to play in the playoffs for just the first time since 2006. But just because its postseason drought is over, it doesn’t mean Sacramento’s thirst for success is gone.
A seat in the playoffs should only intensify the Kings’ desire for more success. Sacramento has a high-scoring and efficient offense, topping the NBA in points per game, effective field goal percentage, and a 2-point shooting percentage.
Dark Horse
Miami Heat (+18000)
While they don’t have a home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Heat can be a tough team to eliminate. Jimmy Butler is capable of raising the play of those around him. He is an across-the-board producer who has the likes of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo to help him out. Just last year, the Celtics needed seven games to eliminate the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jefebet Prediction
Kevin Durant is a game-changer for the Suns. On his own, he can lead a mediocre bunch of players to a deep run in the postseason. What more now that he is part of a stacked Suns unit that even without him was already expected to seriously contend for an NBA title.
Prediction: Phoenix Suns (+450)
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