Now is the time to talk about the 2021 NBA Playoffs at online sportsbooks.
The NBA is the second biggest betting league for major US pro sports behind the NFL. When May rolls around and the postseason gets underway, the NBA generates the biggest betting handle for online sportsbooks over its extended two-month run.
Bettors love the NBA playoffs because most of the best-of-seven series tend to go chalk. Even though two/thirds of the 30-team league will qualify for the postseason this year, there are probably just two or three teams that have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
NBA Playoffs at Online Sportsbooks
Online sportsbooks, especially the offshore books operating an online betting platform, also love the postseason in the NBA. The added excitement that builds with each passing round of best-of-seven showdowns increases the opportunity for expanded betting options.
Many of the top-rated online books will feature various contests and pools for picking winners across all five rounds including this year’s new NBA Play-In Tournament.
Starting on May 18 and running through May 21, the seven through 10 seed in the final Eastern and Western Conference regular season standings will battle it out for the No. 7 and No. 8 seed in the traditional NBA playoff format.
Play in the eight different conference quarterfinal best-of-seven series begins on May 22.
New Betting Opportunities
Not only does the new Play-In Tournament expand the overall postseason field, it expands the betting opportunities through the various play-in games. Every matchup should be highly competitive with so much on the line. Keep an eye on the latest sports betting news to get the latest info.
Once the pairings are set for the conference quarterfinals, one of the most popular big-picture bets are on the series price odds for each matchup. While betting an eight seed over a No. 1 seed does not make sense, the series price on No. 6 vs. No. 3 or No. 5 vs. No. 4 can offer solid value in the odds.
Futures at Online Sportsbooks for NBA Playoffs
NBA futures to win a conference title as well as a NBA Championship are another popular big-picture bet for the postseason. Most of the early money leans towards teams with the biggest star power heading into the playoffs.
Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets are odds-on favorites to win the East despite the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers should clinch the No. 1 seed with Joel Embiid leading the way.
Editor’s Choice > Tips for Buying a NBA Playoff Pro Selection Package
The defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers might have to begin their title defense in the West’s Play-In Round as the current sixth seed in the standings. However, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis saving their best for the postseason, they are favored to win that conference’s title for the second season in a row.
One of the best ways to bet on NBA playoff games is through any number of individual game props. These betting options are expanded during the postseason to cover scoring, team results and individual player performances.
Don’t Forget NBA Live Betting at Sportsbooks
One of the most exciting ways to bet on NBA games in the postseason is after they have gotten underway. Live in-game wagering gives you the ability to double down on pre-game bets if early play is in your favor.
You can also use updated betting lines after tip-off as a way to hedge any previous bets that are not going as planned.
With live in-game betting, you have the chance to bet on “what happens next” with each team’s next possession. The betting action does not stop until the final buzzer sounds at the end of the game.
