NBA Perfect Ten: Round 2
The Playoffs roll on in round two in both conferences. With eight teams left and the second round underway, let’s look at the Top Eight teams left in the Playoffs and their odds of winning it all. Let’s dive into this week’s Perfect Ten.
Perfect Ten (Playoffs Round 2)
#8. Cleveland Cavs (Round 2 vs. Boston) (+15,000) - The Cavs lost game one by 25 points and the scary part was that the Celtics never looked like they cranked up their game. The Cavs have yet to win on the road in the playoffs and this is a team that will be packing their bags soon.
#7. Indiana (Round 2 vs. New York) (+6000) - The Pacers had their shot on Monday night to steal homecourt advantage from the Knicks. Indiana has more depth than the Knicks but they lack a killer closer like Brunson is for the Knicks. Halliburton’s inconsistent play dooms this team.
#6. Denver Nuggets (Round 2 vs. Minnesota) (+1200) - The Nuggets have run into a buzzsaw in the Minnesota Timberwolves thus far. Down 0-2, the defending champions’ season is on the line in game three at Minnesota. Don’t count them out, but they’ll need monster games from Murray and Jokic to combat Minnesota’s superior depth.
#5. New York Knicks (Round 2 vs. Pacers) (+950) - The Knicks should win this round 2 series but they’ll have to take care of business at home. Indiana is very tough to beat at home and the Knicks’ depth took a major blow when Bogdanovic was lost for the playoffs.
#4. Dallas Mavericks (Round 2 vs. OKC) (+950) - Dallas was squashed by OKC in game one but I expected a lackluster effort after their tough series with the Clippers. Game two will likely be a different story and this series could definitely go seven games.
#3. OKC Thunder (Round 2 vs Dallas) (+850) - The Thunder are one of two undefeated teams left in the playoffs. They keep defying the odds despite their youth. Dallas will push them in this series though so get ready for a long one.
#2. Minnesota Timberwolves (Round 2 vs. Denver) (+320) - All year I questioned the championship odds of the T-Wolves as they hovered over +1000 despite the best record in the Western Conference for much of the season. Here they stand now, with the best odds in the West.
#1. Boston Celtics (Round 2 vs Cavs) (+105) - It is truly the Celtics vs. the Celtics in the Eastern Conference right now. If Boston plays their game, they can’t be beaten by a team in the East. The Cavs are a poor matchup for the Celtics, even with Porzingis available. The Knicks will fight them and challenge Boston’s heart. That will be the test Boston needs.
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props are also in parenthesis. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle