NBA Play-In Tournament 2024 Odds, Matchups, Schedule, & Picks

2023-24 NBA Play-In Tournament preview, predictions, and best playoff bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from NBA postseason odds to the UFC and everything in between.

After months of anticipation, the 2023-24 NBA playoffs are finally here. As usual, this year’s postseason begins with the NBA Play-In Tournament as the East and West’s No. 7-10 seeds compete to decide each conference’s final two playoff spots.

NBA Playoff Picture pic.twitter.com/iGdMbzh6DO

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 15, 2024

Not only is the Play-In Tournament exciting to watch, but it also brings its fair share of NBA betting opportunities to the table. The amount of postseason basketball betting options can be overwhelming, though, which is why Betting News is here to help you make the most of the experience.

Here’s a look at everything you need to know for the 2023-24 NBA Play-In Tournament, including the opening matchups, odds, and best bets.

NBA Play-In Tournament 2024 Schedule

Below is the initial schedule for this year’s NBA Play-In Tournament, which begins on Tuesday, April 16.

Western Conference Play-In Matchups

• No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans — Tuesday, April 16 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 10 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 9 Sacramento Kings — Tuesday, April 16 @ 10 p.m. ET
• Winner of No. 9/10 vs. Loser of No. 7/8 — Friday, April 19 @ TBD

Eastern Conference Play-In Matchups

• No. 8 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers — Wednesday, April 17 @ 7 p.m. ET
• No. 10 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 9 Chicago Bulls — Wednesday, April 17 @ 9:30 p.m. ET
• Winner of No. 9/10 vs. Loser of No. 7/8 — Friday, April 19 @ TBD

2023-24 NBA Playoffs Opening Round Matchups

Eastern Conference Round 1

• No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8
• No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7
• No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic

Western Conference Round 1

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8
• No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7
• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
• No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

NBA Play-In Tournament 2024 Predictions, Odds, & Picks

NBA Play-In Tournament odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Monday, April 15 at 11:14 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Lakers vs. Pelicans Predictions & Best Bets

• Matchup: No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers (47-35, 19-21 Away) vs. No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, 21-19 Home)
• Venue & Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
• Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Channel: TNT
• Moneyline: Lakers -107 | Pelicans -113
• Spread: Lakers +1 (-110) | Pelicans -1 (-110)
• Total: Over 224.5 Points (-110) | Under 224.5 Points (-110)

The NBA postseason opens with a Play-In Tournament matchup between the No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers and No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans. The regular-season series between these teams was somewhat one-sided as the Lakers won three of the four meetings, including a 124-108 victory at Smoothie King Center just this past Saturday.

The Pelicans are talented, but the Lakers hold the momentum in this matchup. Los Angeles has won back-to-back matchups against New Orleans, averaging 131.5 PPG with a plus-16.5 average scoring margin. That’s without mentioning how the Lakers also beat the Pelicans by 44 points back in December.

Considering how the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis have won a No. 7 vs. 8 matchup in two of the last three tournaments, I’m confident that Los Angeles will advance on Tuesday evening.

Lakers vs Pelicans NBA Prediction: LAL wins

Best Lakers vs Pelicans NBA Bet: LAL ML (-107)

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Warriors vs. Kings Predictions & Best Bets

• Matchup: No. 10 Golden State Warriors (46-36, 25-16 Away) vs. No. 9 Sacramento Kings (46-36, 24-17 Home)
• Venue & Location: Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)
• Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
• Game Time: 10 p.m. ET
• Channel: TNT
• Moneyline: Warriors -140 | Kings +120
• Spread: Warriors -2.5 (-110) | Kings +2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over 224 Points (-105) | Under 224 Points (-115)

Unlike the Lakers-Pelican series, things were more evenly matched between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Kings. The Pacific Division rivals each won two of the four games they played, however, it was the Kings who won the two most recent meetings.

The Kings’ recent play is leading me to lean in the Warriors’ favor, though. Sacramento had a rough end to the regular season, dropping five of its final seven games with the two victories coming against two sub-.500 teams. That just isn’t the type of momentum you want ahead of a matchup against the Warriors, who just won a championship two years ago.

But regardless of who wins, I like the Over on the 224-point total. Let’s not forget that the last four games between these rivals averaged 238.3 points with three of those games surpassing 224 — including when they combined for 267 in their latest matchup.

Warriors vs Kings NBA Prediction: GSW wins

Best Warriors vs Kings NBA Bet: o224 Total Points (-105)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 regular-season and playoff game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news, futures betting, and best bets predictions
• How to bet on the NBA
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

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NBA Play-In Tournament 2024 Predictions, Odds, & Picks Cont.

Heat vs. 76ers Predictions & Best Bets

• Matchup: No. 8 Miami Heat (46-36, 24-17 Away) vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (47-35, 25-16 Home)
• Venue & Location: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA)
• Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Channel: ESPN
• Moneyline: Heat +175 | 76ers -205
• Spread: Heat +4.5 (-105) | 76ers -4.5 (-115)
• Total: Over 207.5 Points (-115) | Under 207.5 Points (-105)

As for the Eastern Conference side of things, it kicks off with a No. 8 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers showdown on Wednesday. The four-game regular-season series between these teams was also split even, however, it was the Sixers that won the latest pair of collisions.

I can’t go against Philadelphia. You can make the argument that the 76ers are only in the NBA Play-In Tournament because Joel Embiid missed a chunk of the season dealing with injuries. After all, Nick Nurse’s team sat fifth in the conference before losing Embiid for nearly two months and have now won seven games in a row since his return.

With that in mind, I see the 76ers covering the spread. Not only are they 10-0 ATS in their last 10 games, but also 7-0 in their seven previous home tilts. Furthermore, the Heat are only 17-18 ATS as underdogs this season.

Heat vs 76ers NBA Prediction: PHI wins

Best Heat vs 76ers NBA Bet: PHI -4.5 (-115)

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Hawks vs. Bulls Predictions & Best Bets

• Matchup: No. 10 Atlanta Hawks (36-46, 15-26 Away) vs. No. 9 Chicago Bulls (39-43, 20-21 Home)
• Venue & Location: United Center (Chicago, IL)
• Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
• Game Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Channel: ESPN
• Moneyline: Hawks +132 | Bulls -152
• Spread: Hawks +3.5 (-115) | Bulls -3.5 (-105)
• Total: Over 219 Points (-115) | Under 219 Points (-105)

The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls are set to face off as the only losing teams in the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament. The Bulls won the first two regular-season meetings between these teams, however, it was the Hawks who emerged with a 113-101 victory in the finale on April 1.

While I’m not a huge fan of either team, it’s extremely difficult to trust Atlanta. The Hawks haven’t tasted victory since April 3 as they enter the NBA playoffs on a six-game losing streak, being outscored by an average of 16.3 PPG. The Bulls aren’t anything special but at least they own a .500 record across their last 10 outings.

It’s another game where I’m inclined to back the Over, though. The Over is 4-1 in Chicago’s last five games as well as 12-3 in Atlanta’s 15 previous outings. Considering how two of the last three Hawks-Bulls games saw at least 231 points scored, it’s safe to see that we won’t see much defense this evening.

Hawks vs Bulls NBA Prediction: CHI wins

Best Hawks vs Bulls NBA Bet: o219 Total Points (-115)

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2023-24 NBA Finals Odds Before Play-In Tournament

The following 2023-24 NBA Finals odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Monday, April 15 at 12:05 p.m. ET. 

• Boston Celtics (+170)
• Denver Nuggets (+320)
• LA Clippers (+1000)
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1400)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (+1400)
• Dallas Mavericks (+1600)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1800)
• Phoenix Suns (+2000)
• Philadelphia 76ers (+2000)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+2500)
• Miami Heat (+4000)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500)
• New York Knicks (+4500)
• Golden State Warriors (+5000)
• New Orleans Pelicans (+6600)
• Sacramento Kings (+15000)
• Indiana Pacers (+15000)
• Orlando Magic (+15000)
• Atlanta Hawks (+75000)
• Chicago Bulls (+75000)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NBA Championship picks today at BetOnline

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NBA Playoffs 2023-24 FAQ

When are the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• The 2023-24 NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 20, and should be wrapped up by Sunday, June 23.

Where are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• The location of the 2023-24 NBA Finals will be determined once there is only one team remaining from each conference in the playoffs.

How can I watch the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Every game of the 2023-24 NBA postseason will be airing on ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV.

Where can I bet on the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Basketball bettors can wager on this year’s NBA playoffs and championship picks on the majority of online sportsbooks, including the following that Betting News highly recommends:

• Trusted Online Sportsbooks
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