As March Madness ends, the NBA playoffs begin. Let’s take a look at the odds for the first round of the playoffs, on DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 19. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you register or place a bet, FOX Sports may be compensated. Learn more about sports betting on FOX Sports. FIRST ROUND IS #8 ORLANDO (+380) vs. #1 DETROIT (-500)Season Series: Tie 2-2 GAME 1 — ORL @ DET (April 19) Spread: Pistons -8.5Moneyline: Pistons -345, Magic +275O/U: 218.5 What you need to know: The Pistons are not a big favorite in this series, and that’s probably because Orlando is one of the few teams capable of matching Detroit’s youth and athleticism. Also, what is the status of Cade Cunningham? He played in three games late in the regular season after returning from a collapsed lung. In those games, he averaged 11.3 points on 44.4% shooting and 18.2% shooting from 3. His form will likely determine the series. No. 7 PHILADELPHIA (+600) vs. No. 2 BOSTON (-900) Season Series: Tied 2-2 GAME 1 — PHI @ BOS (April 19) Spread: Celtics -12.5Moneyline: Celtics -800, 76ers +550O/U: 213.5 What you need to know: There’s really only one thing to know when is this series. These teams have played four times this year and Jayson Tatum has not appeared in any of those games. The Celtics are 13-3 since Tatum’s return and have only lost once at home with him on the court. Is Boston looking at a 2-0 lead in this series? #6 ATLANTA (+330) vs. #3 NEW YORK (-425)NYK leads 1-0 GAME 2 — ATL @ NYK (April 20) Spread: Knicks -5.5Moneyline: Knicks -225, Hawks +185O/U: 216.5 What you need to know: Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined to score 53 points, but the difference in the first game, it was at the free throw line, where the Knicks made 25 of 30 attempts, compared to 12 of 19 for the Hawks. No. 5 TORONTO (+550) vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND (-800)CLE leads 1-0 GAME 2 — TOR @ CLE (April 20) Spread: Cavs -8.5Moneyline: Cavs -340, Raptors +270O/U: 223.5 What you need to know: A 36-22 third quarter all but sealed the first game for the Cavaliers, after led by seven at the half. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell totaled 54 points and 14 assists on 50% shooting. Not a bad start to the playoffs for the star backcourt. FIRST ROUND WEST No. 8 PHOENIX (+1300) vs. No. 1 OKLAHOMA CITY (-3000)Season Series: OKC 3-2 GAME 1 — PHX @ OKC (April 19) Spread: Thunder -13.5Moneyline: Thunder -1100, Suns +700O/U: 215.5 What you need to know: These two teams played an extra game in the regular season due to the NBA Cup, and one of their matchups took place in the final game of the regular season, with both teams resting their stars. Still, Phoenix pulled off a 3-point win over the mighty Thunder in January. However, at DraftKings, OKC is favored to sweep the Suns. No. 7 PORTLAND (+1000) vs. No. 2 SAN ANTONIO (-2000)Season Series: SAS 2-1 GAME 1 — POR @ SAS (April 19) Spread: Spurs -10.5Moneyline: Spurs -535, Blazers +400O/U: 221.5 What you need to know: Victor Wembanyama did not play in any of the three games against the Blazers during the regular season, and San Antonio still managed to pull off two double-digit wins. The Spurs went 12-6 without their star this season and 50-14 with him. No. 6 MINNESOTA (+450) vs. No. 3 DENVER (-600)DEN leads 1-0 GAME 2 — MIN @ DEN (April 20) Spread: Nuggets -6.5Moneyline: Nuggets -245, Wolves +200O/U: 230.5 What you need to know: Denver won a choppy Game 1 behind 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists from Nikola Jokic. However, the most telling stat was that Anthony Edwards shot 7 of 19 from the field. Will his knee be able to hold up enough to give Wolves a chance? No. 5 HOUSTON (-225) vs. No. 4 LA LAKERS (+185)LAL leads 1-0 GAME 2 — HOU @ LAL (April 21) Spread: Rockets -4.5Moneyline: Rockets -175, Lakers +145O/U: 205.5 What you need to know: Misfortune struck the Lakers late in the regular season, with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves all suffering two from injuries that could keep them out of the first round of the playoffs. However, the same was the case with Houston before Game 1 as Kevin Durant missed the game due to a knee injury. Luke Kennard led the way with 27 points, going 5 of 5 from distance.
























