NBA Title Odds: Betting Power Rankings

Mark Strotman

April 11th, 2019

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Betting Tips for Every 2019 Playoff Team

Golden State Warriors: They were the worst playoff team against the spread in the regular season and only the Knicks were worse among all teams. Just remember they flip a switch in the postseason: Since 2015, they’re 48-35 against the spread in the playoffs. They’re the favorites for a reason.

Milwaukee Bucks: They had both the NBA’s best record straight-up and against the spread. They finished top-3 in offensive and defensive efficiency; the last teams to do that were the 2015 and 2017 Warriors, both of which won the title that year.

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors weren’t all that great against the spread but load management won’t be an issue in the postseason. They’ve got all the experience they need to go toe-to-toe with the Bucks in the East. Kawhi vs. Giannis would be fun in late May if Kyle Lowry can exact his April and May demons.

Houston Rockets: From March 1 until the end of the season, the Rockets had the NBA’s best offense and No. 2 defense. They went a league-best 16-4 in that span. James Harden posted better numbers than he did a year ago as an MVP and the Rockets are fully healthy. No one wants to play them.

Philadelphia 76ers: Can this incredibly talented starting five come together and show consistency in the postseason? Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are both free agents this summer, meaning this group is going for it. If they finally mesh, they’re a sneaky title pick. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are that good.

Boston Celtics: The Celtics underwhelmed the entire season. It remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to turn it around and get over the hump, but we do know they’re a solid over bet: The over went 47-35 in their games this year, second most in the NBA, and it’s 20-17 in the postseason the last two years.

Oklahoma City Thunder: They don’t have home-court advantage but is anyone betting against Paul George and Russell Westbrook right now? The Thunder were 11-7 as underdogs this season, third best among playoff teams (Milwaukee, Utah were better). If nothing else, expect monster lines from those two each night.

Denver Nuggets: There’s no place like home (and that altitude). The Nuggets took their home-court advantage to new heights in 2019, going a West-best 25-16 against the spread in Denver. That’s good news, as they’re the No. 2 seed heading into the postseason.

Portland Trail Blazers: Jusuf Nurkic’s season-ending leg injury put a damper on this team’s championship hopes, but they’re still a difficult out, especially at home where they were 23-16-1 against the spread. That was third best in the NBA.

Utah Jazz: The West was an all-out war this season and teams beat up on each other nightly. But the Jazz were able to withstand the gauntlet and go 30-21-1 against the spread against their conference. That was the best mark in the West and third best in the NBA. Like last year, they’ll be a tough postseason out.

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs won’t be favored in the first round – or any round they play in – meaning they could be home underdogs at some point despite going 31-9 there this season. That’d be just fine, as Gregg Popovich’s group is 9-1 straight-up and against the spread in those situations.

Brooklyn Nets: As tough as they were at home, the Nets finished the season with a remarkable 25-16 road record against the spread. Only the Bucks were better among playoff teams. This team won’t be fazed in the postseason despite it being their first time there since 2015.

Detroit Pistons: Blake Griffin’s health is just about all that matters for the Pistons, who are limping into the postseason after going just 5-8 down the stretch and barely sneaking into the postseason. If Griffin isn’t healthy the Pistons can’t be competitive.

LA Clippers: Who said Staples Center belonged to the Lakers? No team in the NBA was better against the spread at home than the Clippers, who went 27-15. Doc Rivers won’t win Coach of the Year but he deserves all the credit for this playoff appearance.

Indiana Pacers: The Pacers’ hopes of winning the East were dashed when Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending quad injury. But they’ve played better than anyone expected them to ever since the injury, so don’t expect them to lay down in Round 1.

Orlando Magic: The most unlikely playoff participant of the year got it done defensively this season, finishing 8th in efficiency – and 5th after the All-Star break. Unsurprisingly, this team likes to keep the scores low; the over was just 37-44 in their games, the fourth lowest total among playoff teams.

2019 NBA Playoff Teams Against the Spread