NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Expert Picks & Predictions

NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Expert Picks & Predictions

The NBA playoffs are down to only four teams left: the Heat and Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Lakers and Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

In the East, the surprising Heat pulled another (mild) upset, ousting the Knicks in six games, while the Celtics finally eliminated the Sixers in seven. In the West, Denver had little trouble dispatching the Suns in six games, before the Lakers bounced the defending champion Warriors in six.

Now we're set up for some exciting Conference Finals! There are plenty of opportunities to wager on each individual game, but betting on series-specific outcomes can also be highly profitable. From wagers on the series spread to the correct number of games played, the payout for these types of bets can be considerably higher than single-game bets.

BetQL is here to help you make smart, informed bets with live NBA betting odds, best bets from our model, sharp picks, public bets, line movement data, exclusive NBA articles and much more to help you cash tonight. BetQL subscribers can see all of today's best bets, including NBA player props, plus game projections, betting trends and more! Try us out for FREE for three days!

Eastern Conference Finals: Heat vs. Celtics Predictions & Picks

Lucy Burdge: Eastern Conference Finals to go 5 games (+230, DraftKings)
After the Celtics took down the Hawks in six games and the 76ers in seven games, I like the Celtics to win this series over the Heat in just five games. I think Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will really step it up in this series, especially after Tatum’s 51-point Game 7 against the Sixers, and they will be more efficient closing out this series. I like this series to go exactly five games and I got the odds for this at +230 at DraftKings!

Brad Pinkerton: Heat win series (+400, BetMGM)

The Heat are still getting zero respect after knocking off the top-seeded Bucks and Knicks -- without much trouble in either series, mind you -- to get here. Meanwhile, Boston is still getting way too much respect after inconsistent, sloppy play in the first two rounds. Look, I fully expect Boston to win this series, but I can't overlook the value proposition on Miami here. I also can't overlook the coaching matchup between an experienced Erik Spoelstra for Miami vs. rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla for Boston. I'll sprinkle a little on Jimmy Butler and the Heat to shock the Celtics here. Another way you could play this would be to take Miami's moneyline (+300) in the first two games as they'll need a split in Boston to have a real shot at winning this thing.

Western Conference Finals: Lakers vs. Nuggets Predictions & Picks

Kate Constable: Nuggets-Lakers to go 7 games (+180, FanDuel)

Both of these teams have been dominant at home in the postseason. The Nuggets are 6-0 on their home floor, while the Lakers are 7-0 at home, which includes winning their play-in game. This sets up well for a long series. On top of that, these teams are pretty evenly matched. As long as he stays healthy, Anthony Davis has the size and physicality to match up with Nikola Jokic inside. The same can be said about Aaron Gordon when it comes to guarding LeBron James. I lean toward the Nuggets winning the series because I think they’re the more complete team, but regardless of who moves on, this series is going to be extremely competitive, which is why I like it to go seven games at +180 on FanDuel.

Dan Karpuc: Lakers To Beat Nuggets 4-3 (+600, BetMGM)

This will be a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Finals and the cores of both squads are essentially identical: LeBron James and Anthony Davis vs. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Lakers ended up winning that series (and the Finals). The full rosters are different, of course, but those four players will assume most of the responsibilities for guiding their teams to victory.

I think this series is going to come down to the matchup between Davis and Jokic, and you can make the argument that AD is one of the only NBA players that has the bulk and length to match up against Jokic. That should force Murray and other Nuggets like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon to step up and contribute in big ways offensively. (That’s a plus for L.A.) Denver has absolutely zero depth and that will also likely come back to haunt them in this series, especially if one of the aforementioned starters gets into foul trouble. I expect this series to stay close, but I’m going to put my faith in LeBron and Co. I love the price at BetMGM.