Eight NBA playoff teams remain in the second round as the battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy continues.
Several second-round series have been tied in the first four games, with all eight teams still qualifying for the NBA Finals.
The talented Boston Celtics have a far better chance of winning the NBA Finals than seven other teams, according to the latest odds from BetMGM. They finished the regular season with at least 60 wins and were the only team to have three players averaging at least 20 points per game (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis).
Here's how all eight teams remaining in the playoffs rank in terms of their odds of winning the 2024 NBA Finals.
NBA Mock Draft:The Atlanta Hawks are expected to take Alex Sarr with the first pick.
NBA Power Rankings: Final 8 teams in the playoffs by odds of winning the NBA Finals
1. Boston Celtics (-125)
The Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA Finals after a great regular season. Boston won the first series against the Miami Heat in five games and currently leads the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1 in the second round.If the Celtics can continue to play at the level of Games 1 and 3. and If they can get Porzingis back before the conference finals, winning the NBA Finals will be well within reach.
2. Denver Nuggets (+375)
The reigning champions started the second round by flipping the script against the Timberwolves, who were down 2-0 in the series at home. After winning both games in Minnesota, the Nuggets tied the series and were back in good position to be the team to advance out of the Western Conference. With three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and home court advantage back on their side, Denver is in prime position to win the West Division for the second year in a row and even win the Finals.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (+700)
Minnesota looked ready to beat the Nuggets right away after picking up two impressive road wins to open the series. Now at even 2-2, the Timberwolves need to win at least one more game in Denver to advance to the conference finals. Nothing feels truly impossible for this team, led by emerging superstar Anthony Edwards and equipped with a defense that can shut down opposing offenses.
4. Dallas Mavericks (+850)
The Mavericks took away home court advantage from the No. 1 seed in the West with a Game 2 victory in Oklahoma City, and established a series lead with a four-point victory in Game 3. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are a strong and dynamic duo. So far, PJ Washington has stepped up in a big way during this series. The current odds reflect their lead over the Thunder, giving them momentum to overtake the Timberwolves.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (+1300)
Oklahoma City has secured the No. 1 seed in the West with a talented young team, but faces a must-win Game 4 in Dallas on Monday night. If they win, they will tie the series, but if they lose, it will be 3 wins and 1 loss, and they will be pushed to the brink of elimination. The key for the Thunder moving forward is acquiring second and third options (behind young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). If they can continue to do so steadily, they will be able to advance to the Western Conference Finals with home court advantage.
6. New York Knicks (+3000)
7. Indiana Pacers (+5000)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (+25000)
Dallas Mavericks:The team's deadline change paid off and they took a 2-1 series lead against the Thunder.
When is the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals will begin on June 6th.
Bronny James:Former Southern California Trojan has been medically cleared by the NBA's Fitness to Play Committee and will participate in the draft combine
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