Finding the right NBA Play-In predictions for 2025 can be very tough! The betting odds suggest we should have mostly close games, with one notable exception. Who will progress to the next stage, though?
In this article, I explore the latest odds, analyze each game, and reveal my NBA Play-In predictions!
NBA Play-In 2025 Betting Odds and Predictions Summary
The following NBA Play-In Tournament odds are courtesy of Bovada:
| MATCHUP/MONEYLINE | POINT SPREAD | PREDICTION |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks (+165) vs. Orlando Magic (-195) | Hawks +5 (-110); Magic -5 (-110) | Hawks +5 (-110) |
| Memphis Grizzlies (+235) vs. Golden State Warriors (-280) | Grizzlies +6.5 (-110); Warriors -6.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +6.5 (-110) |
| Miami Heat (-105) vs. Chicago Bulls (-115) | Heat +1 (-110); Bulls -1 (-110) | Bulls -1 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks (+165) vs. Sacramento Kings (-195) | Mavericks +5 (-115); Kings -5 (-105) | Kings -5 (-105) |
Four games are scheduled for the opening matchups of the NBA Play-In Tournament. The event is a battle for the final two No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference playoffs.
Following Game 1 of each play-in series on Tuesday and Wednesday, the losers of the No. 7 and No. 8 teams will play the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups on Friday. Note that the winning squad of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 games automatically advance.
The best NBA betting sites have updated NBA Play-In odds for every matchup on the docket!
You can find the reasoning for each of our 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament predictions below, starting with the East!
Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic Odds and Prediction (East Play-In)
TEAM POINT SPREAD MONEYLINE TOTAL Atlanta Hawks +5 (-110) +165 Over 217 (-110) Orlando Magic -5 (-110) -195 Under 217 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks (40-42) and Orlando Magic (41-41) meet at the Kia Center for a No. 8 vs. No. 7 matchup. Whichever team wins will advance to the first round of the NBA Playoffs, while the loser heads to the next phase of the Play-In on Friday.
The Hawks enter with some momentum after winning three consecutive regular season games. They won each game by double digits over the Brooklyn Nets, 133-109, Philadelphia 76ers, 124-110, and Magic, 117-105. The offense has been shooting the lights out, but they have struggled against the Magic’s defense.
This is a classic matchup of offense versus defense. The Magic rank first in the NBA on defense. They’ve conceded an impressive 105.5 points per game and just 103.5 at home. However, the same success hasn’t been there on the offensive floor.
The Magic have scored only 105.4 points per game, which is 28th in the NBA. When the offense isn’t clicking, the Magic have serious issues winning basketball games. There isn’t much room for error, highlighted by their -0.1 point differential this season. Also concerning is that Paolo Banchero is dealing with an ankle injury heading into the Play-In.
Banchero should be ready for this game, but he may not be close to 100%. I want to see him at 95% to bet on the Magic with confidence! The Hawks have a point differential of -1.1, but a healthy +16.7 over their last three matchups. Led by Trae Young, the Hawks are all about offensive efficiency.
Trae Young had another exceptional season as floor general for Atlanta 🫡
He led the league in assists for the 2024-25 regular season. pic.twitter.com/Ll4I834fiv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 13, 2025
Hawks vs. Magic Prediction and Betting Pick
The Hawks are fifth in the NBA, with an average of 118.2 points scored per game. They give up slightly more on the other side of the floor but won’t have to be concerned with a juggernaut offensive Magic squad.
This one likely goes down to the wire, so the Hawks +5 is a sharp option for your NBA Play-In picks! Even if the Magic win here, it should be close.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Odds and Prediction (West Play-In)
TEAM MONEYLINE POINT SPREAD TOTAL Memphis Grizzlies +235 +6.5 (-110) Over 229.5 (-110) Golden State Warriors -285 -6.5 (-110) Under 229.5 (-110)
The Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) tip off in a matchup between the best NBA Play-In squads. The Grizzlies and Warriors are the only teams in this short tournament with records better than .500!
The clash is between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds, so the winner will go directly to the first round of the NBA Playoffs. This isn’t exactly what Steph Curry and the Warriors used to. Curry has typically been fighting for the top seed during his long tenure in the Bay Area.
In any event, the Warriors aren’t dead yet. They were mediocre offensively this season, finishing 17th in the NBA, with an average of 113.8 points scored per game. With the defense failing to reach the top 5, the Warriors didn’t play elite basketball.
However, they still managed to yield 110.5 points per game, for a very respectable eighth in the league. The extra physicality and drive we typically see from the Warriors isn’t as prevalent, though. They may find themselves having issues versus a Grizzlies squad that had one of the best offenses in the NBA.
lob it up. @JaMorant ➡️ @zach_edey
watch: @FDSN_Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/DFAFAf3nwt
— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) April 12, 2025
The Grizzlies are second, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers, with 121.7 points per game. Despite the Grizzlies playing in the Play-In Tournament, they finished fifth in the NBA with a win margin of +4.9. The Warriors notched a +3.3 point differential, for 10th in the league.
Grizzlies vs. Warriors Prediction and Betting Pick
Like the Hawks, the Grizzlies’ Achilles heel is their defensive effort. They allowed 116.9 points per game, but Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane can carry the Grizzlies offensively against the Warriors. This isn’t the vaunted Warriors’ defense of old, so there should be an opening for the Grizzlies.
In another game that should go down to the wire, the Grizzlies are one of the best 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament picks at these odds! I will take the conservative option and back them in the spread market, but the moneyline for Memphis is very tempting, too.
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls Odds and Prediction (East Play-In)
TEAM MONEYLINE POINT SPREAD TOTAL Miami Heat -105 +1 (-110) Over 220 (-105) Chicago Bulls -115 -1 (-110) Under 220 (-115)
The Miami Heat (37-45) travel to the United Center for a No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup versus the Chicago Bulls (39-43). Miami was the last team to clinch a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. It was a topsy-turvy season, which mostly consisted of frustrated Heat fans.
In 2023, the Heat became the second team in NBA history to reach the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed. If you are expecting a similar run for the Heat, don’t get too comfortable. That Heat team wasn’t all that bad, and Jimmy Butler played a huge role in that run. Butler was traded to the Warriors, so they won’t have his services this time.
Nevertheless, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are both capable of keeping the Heat in this game. That being said, the Heat are just 17-23 on the road in 2024-25. Having scored 110.6 points per game, Miami is only 24th in the league in scoring! They tend to rely on their defense, but fall outside the top 5, with 110 points against per game.
The Bulls enter with plenty of momentum on their side. They’re winners in three straight and seven of their last ten games, including a 119-111 win over the Heat at home. Josh Giddey had a monster performance, with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists!
1000 pts, 500 reb, 500 ast!
Josh Giddey just became the third player to reach these totals in the NBA this season.
The others: LeBron James & Nikola Jokic. pic.twitter.com/MBAsoL17xV
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 10, 2025
The former Thunder guard has been having an excellent season with his new team in Chicago. He’s helped spearhead a Bulls charge to 117.8 points per game — the sixth-most in the NBA in 2024-25.
Heat vs. Bulls Prediction and Betting Pick
Giddey and Nikola Vuvevic can be the difference makers and provide the extra kick that the Bulls need at home. In what should be another competitive matchup, the Bulls as a short favorite is one of the best NBA Play-In bets this week!
Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings Odds and Prediction (West Play-In)
From the NBA Finals to the NBA Play-In Tournament in one season for the Dallas Mavericks (39-43). A familiar face will be missing from this team compared to last year’s group!
Luka Doncic was traded to the LA Lakers in one of the most shocking and unexpected deals in NBA history. And, as a result, you aren’t going to find many Mavericks fans who are going to care about what happens against the Sacramento Kings (40-42).
Luka Dončić finishes with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in his return to Dallas.
After he checks out for the final time, the crowd erupts into its loudest “Fire Nico” chant of the night as GM Nico Harrison watches from the tunnel.
Lakers win 112-97. pic.twitter.com/7qgWnYqTza
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) April 10, 2025
In fact, you might find a few Mavericks fans actively rooting against the franchise. Mavericks’ GM Nico Harrison remains public enemy No. 1 in Dallas. So, how are the Mavericks going to react to playing postseason basketball in Sacramento?
The No. 10 team in the Western Conference didn’t have any success on the road this season, so I don’t expect a favorable experience. The Mavericks went just 17-25 on the road this season. The worst sign is the lack of defensive energy they’ve found in road matchups.
Dallas has conceded 111.4 points against per game at home, though that number jumps to 119.4 on the road! Moreover, the Mavs own a -5.1 point differential on the road. This is the worst mark of any team playing on the road in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Conversely, the Kings notched a +1.4 margin of victory at home in the regular season.
Zach LaVine & DeMar DeRozan combine for 80 PTS vs. Pistons 🤯
LaVine: 43 PTS
DeRozan: 37 PTSKINGS DUO COOKED 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SUsvuSPira
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 8, 2025
Mavericks vs. Kings Prediction and Betting Pick
Overall, the Mavs are just 20th in the NBA defensively. They must be ready for a Kings team that can get hot from the field. The Kings are 10th, averaging 115.7 points per contest.
Look for a balanced offense featuring Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan to lead the Kings past the Mavericks. Expect the Kings to pull away to win and cover at home, so back the home squad for your NBA Play-In Tournament 2025 picks!
Where to Bet on the NBA Play-In Tournament?
You can bet on the NBA Play-In Tournament betting odds at most online bookies, but it’s important to pick a reputable sportsbook with high odds for your NBA betting needs.
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