The NBA Play-In odds confirm that it will be tight, especially in the West. It’s the last chance to qualify for the Playoffs, so all teams will be ready to fight hard.
I share my 2024 NBA Play-In predictions in this post, to help our readers who intend to bet on the matches. The top sports betting sites already have their lines available, let’s delve into my 2024 NBA Play-In predictions and the latest odds!
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds and Predictions
The following 2024 NBA Play-In odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1 (-110) | -105 | Over 227.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | -1 (-110) | -115 | Under 227.5 (-110) |
The Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) and New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) meet in what amounts to a coin-flip game, according to the point spread. New Orleans has a slight advantage over the Lakers, but it wasn’t evident based on Sunday’s matchup.
In the regular season finale, the Lakers pummeled the Pelicans, 124-108, to set up a rematch on Tuesday night. Anthony Davis limited Zion Williamson to just 12 points and eight rebounds. Also, Brandon Ingram looked rusty in his long-awaited return to the Pelicans’ starting lineup.
Davis’ length was too much for Zion to deal with in the 16-point game. The injury-prone LA big man exited the game with a health issue, but does not appear to be a serious ailment.
LeBron James and Davis combined for 58 points in the win! Austin Reaves was effective in the backcourt, chipping in with 20 points in the winning effort. The Lakers have been one of the better-performing teams in the NBA over the last month.
They finished the season with 11 wins in their last 14 games. However, the Lakers’ 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament odds wouldn’t suggest that they are playing this well. As a home favorite, the Pelicans are just 14-15-0 against the spread (ATS), so going into New Orleans as an underdog may not be the worst scenario.
James has been playing like he knows there isn’t much time left for him to win another championship. The superstar enters on a torrid pace, with 32.6 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists per game in his last three games!
Lakers vs. Pelicans Prediction and Betting Pick
The Lakers’ key to winning this game is continuing to frustrate Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas at the rim. It wouldn’t be possible for them to achieve that without an elite defender like Davis in the paint.
Fortunately, he avoided a serious injury Sunday and is expected to be on the floor Tuesday night. Eliminate Williamson and Valanciunas from the equation and the Lakers will be in good shape, and AD can help with that.
If the Lakers win, they’ll face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Do you think the NBA would rather have the Lakers or the Pelicans? James and the Lakers are likely going to see more favorable calls.
If you add LA’s experience, the Lakers are a great value pick as a small underdog at +1.
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Odds and Predictions
The following 2024 NBA Play-In odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | -2 (-110) | -128 | Over 226 (-110) |
| Sacramento Kings | +2 (-110) | +108 | Under 226 (-110) |
The Golden State Warriors (46-36) and Sacramento Kings (46-36) clash in the second Western Conference NBA Play-In Tournament game on Tuesday evening. The winner will take on the loser of the Lakers vs. Pelicans matchup.
This is a rematch of their seven-game playoff series from last season. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors outlasted the Kings in a tightly contested matchup. Now, the Warriors and Kings meet in a single-game elimination format.
The Warriors have opened as a two-point favorite, with an implied probability to win of 56.1%. Sacramento will not have valuable sixth man Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter for this one. That’s a blow to a team that typically has solid depth at guard when healthy.
They’ll have to make it work against a hot Warriors squad. Golden State is 8-2 in their last ten games, while the Kings limp into the Play-In Tournament at 4-6. The Kings and Warriors split this season, with Sacramento winning their last two matchups by a single point.
Monk and Huerter played in both wins, with the duo combining for 42 points in the November 28 victory. The Kings will need offense to overcome a Warriors squad that can get hot from the outside at any moment!
Warriors vs. Kings Prediction and Betting Pick
The Warriors have a slight advantage as a two-point favorite. However, the absence of Huerter and Monk tilts the table more heavily toward the Warriors.
Huerter and Monk’s absence won’t impact the NBA Play-In odds as much as a potential injury of someone like De’Aaron Fox, but this is still a huge blog. Monk would be a starter on most teams, while Huerter is an underrated fixture in the Kings starting lineup on both ends of the floor.
Steph Curry finished the season with 357 3PM, which is 73 more than 2nd place.
The 2nd largest differential in a season in NBA history. Steph Curry in 2016 is first (+126). pic.twitter.com/WMXTsyYpdS
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) April 14, 2024
This is one of the worst matchups for the Kings against Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. It isn’t easy to find success against the Warriors when hurting at guard. Also, note that the Warriors are the best team in the league on the road at 27-14-0 against the spread (ATS).
Consider the Warriors as part of your NBA betting strategy for this NBA Play-In Tournament showdown in Sacramento.
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds and Predictions
The following 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +5 (-110) | +165 | Over 208 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -5 (-110) | -190 | Under 208 (-110) |
For my Eastern Conference NBA Play-In Tournament best bets, I head to Philadelphia for the opening matchup on Wednesday evening.
The 76ers (47-35) opened as a five-point favorite over the visiting Miami Heat (46-36). At -180 on the moneyline, the 76ers have an implied probability to win of 65.5%.
The loser will take on the winner of the Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks matchup, while the winner automatically advances to the Playoffs. Miami knows how to win in the Play-In.
Last season, the Heat reached the playoffs through the Play-In and then advanced to the NBA Finals. Despite losing to the Denver Nuggets, the Heat showed that it’s possible to make noise as a No. 8 seed.
As has been the case during the Erik Spoelstra era in Miami, the Heat depend on a swarming defense. They are fifth in the league with a defensive rating of 111.5.
Most importantly, the Heat are one of the best defenses in the paint, which is especially important against Joel Embiid. The Heat are third in the NBA, with 46.4 points against per game in the paint!
If Embiid played a full season, the 76ers would have finished better than 47-35 and likely already wrapped up a playoff seed. Nevertheless, the Heat played the 76ers tough in 2023-24.
They split the four-game regular season series with two wins for each side. In their latest meeting, the 76ers edged out the Heat 109-105 behind a 15-3 run to close out the game in Miami.
Heat vs. 76ers Prediction and Betting Pick
The Heat have preferred going on the road to playing at home. They went 22-19 at home and 24-17 on the road this season.
As an underdog away from home, the Heat went 24-15-2 ATS and 16-9-0 ATS, the second-best mark in the NBA.
Additionally, Spoelstra was just in this position last year and directed his squad to clutch wins en route to the NBA Finals. He will likely have the Heat ready to play in this spot!
This game should go down to the wire, so the Heat +5 is my best bet in Philadelphia.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds and Predictions
The following 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | +3.5 (-115) | +132 | Over 218 (-110) |
| Chicago Bulls | -3.5 (-105) | -152 | Under 218 (-110) |
The Atlanta Hawks (36-46) and Chicago Bulls (39-43) close out my NBA Play-In Tournament predictions with one final pick. With both teams under .500, this is likely the least interesting matchup for fans to look forward to this week.
Neither squad is expected to do much damage beyond this game. That being said, records reset in the postseason and the team that gets the hottest at the right time prevails. If we’re basing this on recent results, the Hawks don’t have a solid footing to stand on.
The Hawks are winless in their previous six games heading into the postseason. However, they were competitive in three of their last four assignments.
They took the Heat to overtime, fell by a point to the Charlotte Hornets, and then suffered a three-point loss to the top-ranked Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the poor results, the Hawks have a chance to redeem themselves versus the Bulls.
Atlanta didn’t have any issues scoring the ball this season. They hold a considerable advantage over the Bulls in this regard. Despite losing Trae Young for two months, the Hawks are fifth in the NBA, averaging 118.3 points per game. Conversely, the Bulls are 22nd, with an average of 112.3 points a game.
The Bulls posted a margin of victory of -1.4 points, while the Hawks were -2.2 in the regular season. As a home favorite this season, the Bulls are just 8-13 ATS!
The Bulls haven’t been too hot recently, either. They are .500 over the last ten games, with two wins against the dysfunctional Wizards and Pistons. One of those defeats was against the Hawks on April 1 at home, 113-101. That said, the Bulls have about a 60% implied chance of defeating the Hawks, according to the top NBA betting sites.
Hawks vs. Bulls Betting Pick and Prediction
The Hawks have more talent than their season record of 36-46 suggests. Young’s finger injury was a significant blow for a team that needs their biggest playmaker on the floor. The star is flanked in the backcourt by scorers like Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanović.
If the Hawks had more depth off the bench, they’d be in a much stronger position than 10th in the Eastern Conference. However, the Bulls are even worse than the Hawks in that regard.
Coby White’s emergence as a top Most Improved Player of the Year candidate for the 2023-24 NBA Awards has given the Bulls a lift, but they need a spark off the bench. So, the Hawks’ mediocre weakness is washed out by the Bulls’ major weakness.
The Hawks vs. Bulls could go down to the last minute, so I recommend backing the underdog in my 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament best bets.
Where To Bet On The NBA Play-In Tournament?
You can bet on the NBA Play-In Tournament in most online bookies, but it’s important to pick a reputable sportsbook with high odds.
You can get everything you need for the NBA Play-In Tournament, including superior odds, live betting, and prop betting at BetOnline.
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Sources
LeBron James 2023-24 Stats per Game | ESPN.com. Retrieved From “https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/1966/lebron-james”
NBA Team ATS Trends | TeamRankings.com. Retrieved From “https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/trends/ats_trends/?sc=is_away”
Teams Stats | NBA.com. Retrieved From “https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/”
