2024 NBA playoffs: 76ers, Lakers, Warriors favorites to win title from Play-In Tournament
The 2023-24 NBA regular season is almost over but it's a tight race in both conferences for playoff positioning. There's less than two weeks to finalize the playoff field and there's much to play for in both the East and West.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have clinched the No. 1 seed and sit 13 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the No. 2 spot at time of publishing. But just six games separate the Bucks and the No. 8 seed. In the Western Conference, things are even closer, with the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves just 11.5 games ahead of the No. 10 seed Golden State Warriors.
The bottom four teams in each conference move on to the Play-In Tournament to determine the final two playoff seeds. With a tightly packed playoff field, some of these teams could have a shot at the championship. Look no further than last year's Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat who, after losing the Play-In Tournament opener, went on a run to the NBA Finals.
Here's how the current Play-In Tournament teams rank in odds to win the 2024 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM as of April 4:
2024 NBA playoffs: Which NBA teams could be headed for the postseason via play-in tournament games?
'World needs more women': NBA's three women DJs are leaving an impact that is felt far beyond game days
2024 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, standings, latest playoff picture as playoffs near
Philadelphia 76ers (+3000)
Philadelphia's odds changed dramatically with the return of reigning league MVP Joel Embiid this week. The 76ers went 11-18 without him and dropped to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Even if he's limited and takes some time to get back up to speed, Embiid was playing at an MVP level once again before getting hurt. He'll make Philadelphia a tough out for any higher seed in the East.
Just two of the 76ers' final six games of the regular season are against current playoff teams. They could easily play their way out of the Play-In Tournament seeds in that stretch, starting tonight against the Heat.
Los Angeles Lakers (+3500)
The Lakers sit at the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference. They're close to set for the Play-In Tournament but within reach of Sacramento for a higher seed. Anthony Davis is having arguably his best season in Los Angeles as the Lakers rank as one of the best shooting teams in the league at 49.8% from the field. LeBron James' experience in big moments will loom large down the stretch for a team that made the Western Conference Finals last season.
After winning eight of the last nine matchups, Los Angeles closes out the season facing current playoff teams in four of the final five games. It could be tough to make up ground but this team and staff have made a run before.
Golden State Warriors (+5000)
Golden State has the third-best odds among current Play-In Tournament teams despite sitting at the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. The Warriors are first in the NBA in rebounds per game, third in three-pointers made per game, and are peaking at the right time. They've won their last five games in a row - including three against current playoff teams.
They'll need to keep it up in the final stretch of the season. Three of their final seven games are against current playoff teams. They're three games ahead of the Houston Rockets for the No. 10 seed and can't slip up in big moments.
New Orleans Pelicans (+6600)
Phoenix and New Orleans are tied at 45-31 but the Suns get the edge thanks to a 2-0 record in head-to-head matchups. That leaves the Pelicans at the No. 7 seed for now.
New Orleans is one of the better defenses in the league, especially in limiting opposing shooters. Opponents are shooting just 46.1% from the field, the fourth-lowest mark in the league, and 34.7% from three-point range, the lowest average in the NBA. Unfortunately, Brandon Ingram's injury could keep him out of the lineup through the end of the regular season. Ingram's second only to Zion Williamson in points per game on the team and his availability will go a long way in the Play-In Tournament.
The Pelicans close the season with six games against Western Conference foes, including four against current playoff teams. They're just a half-game ahead of Sacramento among play-in seeds and could find themselves falling before the start of the Play-In Tournament.
Sacramento Kings (+12500)
Sacramento pushed the Warriors to seven games last year in the playoffs when they boasted one of the best offenses in the league. The offense has taken a step back this season but the defense has stepped up.
Domantas Sabonis is having a career year, posting career-highs in rebounds (13.7) and assists (8.3) per game. He leads the league in the former category and sits fifth in the latter. Like New Orleans, one of the Kings' top scorers - Malik Monk - is out with injury. A sprained MCL is expected to sideline the Sixth Man of the Year award favorite for up to six weeks.
The Kings face current playoff teams in five of their final seven games, including three on their four-game road trip starting tonight. Sacramento could drop down the seeds as well if they struggle on the road against top teams like Boston and Oklahoma City.
NBA playoffs bracket watch: Which teams are rising and falling in standings?
Indiana Pacers (+15000)
Indiana's jockeying for position for the No. 7 through No. 3 seeds with Miami, New York, Orlando, and Cleveland. They're just three games behind the Cavaliers at time of publishing and have the time to jump out of the play-in positions.
Indiana's one of the most efficient offenses in the league this season. The Pacers lead the league in shooting percentage (50.4%) and assists per game (30.6). They're second in the league in advanced metrics like offensive rating (121.2), pace (101.1), and effective field goal percentage (57.5%). Tyrese Haliburton leads the league in assists per game and sits sixth in player efficiency rating (PER).
The Pacers have just five more games left in the regular season, including two games against teams ahead of them in the playoff seeding (Miami and Cleveland). They'll also face current playoff teams Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
Chicago Bulls (+100000)
The No. 9 seed in the East, Chicago's lost five of their last seven games, including games against non-playoff teams Washington, Houston, and Brooklyn. They've clinched a play-in spot but likely can't climb much higher in the seeding. The Bulls play one of the slowest paces in the league and don't shoot three-pointers at a high clip, something that could hinder a playoff run.
They'll face playoff teams in four of their final six games, including three matchups against the Knicks. Those matchups could be tough even with New York's second-leading scorer Julius Randle out for the season. They'll face Atlanta in the first game of the Play-In Tournament and could struggle beyond that.
'I'm done': Two-time NBA champion point guard Rajon Rondo makes retirement official
Atlanta Hawks (+100000)
Atlanta's tied at the bottom of the Eastern Conference seeding with Chicago and sees the same odds for the championship. Top scorer Trae Young is sidelined following surgery on his right hand Feb. 27 but the Hawks have gone 12-8 without him, including an overtime win over the Celtics March 28.
They've clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament but could struggle to get much further than that. The team fields one of the worst defenses in the league. Atlanta faces five playoff teams in their final six games and that won't help with momentum.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Play-In Tournament power rankings: 76ers lead odds for a title
