NBA First Round Playoffs Series Odds, Betting Trends: Everything You Need To Know

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

NBA First Round Playoffs series odds continue to develop as the round winds down. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are already on to the second round. In fact, they'll face each other in Round 2.

Oklahoma City is into the second round, too. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers could advance next.

Here's everything you need to know about 2024 NBA Playoffs First Round series odds: action, movement and betting trends. Check back for updates on NBA First Round series odds, and use our BetMGM bonus code to get more when you wager.

NBA First Round Playoffs Series Odds

No. 5 Dallas Mavericks vs No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers Series Odds

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET MONDAY: Los Angeles and Dallas split Games 1 and 2 in SoCal, then split Games 3 and 4 in Dallas. So it's all knotted up heading into Game 5 back in Los Angeles.

The Clippers were fortunate to get out of Dallas with a 116-111 win in Game 4. Los Angeles led by 31 in the second quarter and let the Mavs come all the way back.

Prior to Game 4, BetMGM's NBA First Round series odds were at Mavs -400/Clippers +310. Now, even with L.A. hosting Game 5 and potentially Game 7, the Mavs are still -185 favorites, while the Clippers are +150.

"It's been pretty stagnant in this series. The Mavericks took the early money, but it's been relatively even since then. We'd love the Clippers to make this a series," BetMGM trader Hal Egeland said.

No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs No. 2 New York Knicks Series Odds

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET TUESDAY: When BetMGM's odds first went up April 14, Philadelphia was a modest -120 favorite to win this series. By the time Game 1 tipped, odds had flipped New York was -145. Prior to Game 2, the Knicks were out to -300.

After taking a 2-0 lead, New York stretched to -450 in NBA First Round series odds. But then the 76ers returned home and got a ridiculous 50-point performance from Joel Embiid while winning Game 3 125-114.

So BetMGM reeled in the series price to Knicks -250/Sixers +190. But New York took Game 4 97-92 and heads home with a 3-1 series lead. So the Knicks are now out to -900, with the Sixers +575.

"The Knicks winning the series 4-2 would be our worst possible outcome, because 76ers +2.5 games and Knicks -1.5 games have taken a decent amount of bets," BetMGM trader Hal Egeland said, while expanding on Sixers-Knicks and Pacers-Bucks. "We'd really like both of these series to be extended. The Pacers and Knicks will both be bad results for us, assuming they close these series out."

That said, Egeland noted last week that BetMGM wouldn't mind the Knicks advancing.

"A Celtics-Knicks Eastern Conference finals would do wonders in terms of handle. We’ll be looking forward to that one, because all I envision is lopsided Knicks money all playoffs."

If that matchup comes to fruition, BetMGM would be rooting for Boston.

No. 6 Indiana Pacers vs No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks Series Odds

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET TUESDAY: Milwaukee didn't have Antetokounmpo (strained calf) for Games 1 and 2 at home, but managed to get a split. Giannis then sat out Games 3 and 4, as well, and the Pacers won both.

To add injury to injury, Bucks star Damian Lillard also missed Game 4, with an Achilles strain. Both Giannis and Lillard are doubtful for Game 5.

Indiana, up 3-1 and looking to clinch on the road, is a -1600 favorite in BetMGM's NBA First Round playoffs series odds. That's after the Pacers opened as +260 underdogs back on April 14. Milwaukee opened a very short-lived -350 and is now +850.

"If we can get a couple wins from the Bucks and 76ers, we can get some of the series spread money back. But the public was all over these two series," BetMGM trader Hal Egeland said, alluding to heavy action on the Pacers and Knicks.

Indiana has attracted 77% of series tickets/87% of series dollars.

Don't forget to use our BetMGM bonus code to get more when you wager on NBA action!

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson