NBA Playoffs 2024: Analysis of the favourites and the underdogs

UPDATE 2 MAY

The 2024 NBA Playoffs are in full swing and basketball fans and sports bettors are following the action closely. So are we, of course, and we even dare to give predictions...

Golden Palace Sports' predictions:

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics vs ?

Boston eliminated Miami in 5 games, which is no surprise. It now remains to be seen who the Celtics will face in the Conference Semifinals: the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Orlando Magic. At Golden Palace Sports, we are still confident that Boston will finish in the finals - and have a very good chance of becoming champions.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic (Round 1)

The Cavs recovered just in time and that without their best player Jarrett Allen, who had to miss Game 5 because of a bruised rib. In addition, Orlando's Paolo Banchero played an awesome game and scored 39 points, but that fantastic performance thus proved not enough to beat Cleveland. The score is now 3-2 for the Cavaliers, who now have their fate in their own hands to advance to the second round. But then, of course, they have to win their next game in Orlando. We don't think that will happen, but we do think the series of seven games will be played out in full - with eventual wins for the Cavs.

Pronostics: Cleveland wins 4-3 = odds 2.40

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers (Round 1)

We remain in the Eastern Conference, where the Bucks are still without 'Greek Freak' Giannis Antetokounmpo. But there is hope: Indiana stumbled in Milwaukee and is only 1 game ahead. The Bucks will now give everything on the road, aiming for a 7th game. If it effectively comes to that - and we suspect it will - they will advance to Round 2.

Pronostics: Milwaukee wins 4-3 = odds 8.00

New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers (Round 1)

The Sixers are still alive after a stunning win led by Tyrese Maxey. The series now returns to Philly and hopefully a Game 7 will be triggered. It will be very difficult - for both teams. 

Pronostics: NY wins 4-3 = odds 2.46

Western Conference

Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks (Round 1)

The only series still underway on the western side. Luka Doncic and his gang have just recorded a very important victory on Californian soil, which means that Dallas is now 3-2 ahead. The Mavericks will go all out to close the lid on Friday. At Golden Palace Sports, we are hoping for a Game 7 in this best-of-seven series, but honestly, we don't think it will come that far.

Pronostics: Dallas wins 4-2 = odds 1.30

If our prediction is correct, Dallas will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who humiliated the New Orleans Pelicans with a clean sweep, in the semifinals of the Eastern conference.

Remaining: the Minnesota Timberwolves, who sent the Phoenix Suns home completely empty-handed, and the Denver Nuggets, the reigning champions led by Nikola Jokić, who gave LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers a gigantic hangover.

Because of that 4-1 defeat, rumours around a departure from LA of the now 39-year-old James - the GOAT of his generation - are sounding louder and louder. Whether it will actually come to that, is a question LeBron currently refuses to answer. James has a player option in Los Angeles, which gives him the power to decide whether to stay another year or become a free agent. 

Can LA convince him to stay?

We all know it's LeBron's last wish to share the court with his son, Bronny, before bidding a dignified farewell to the NBA. According to The Athletic, the Lakers would also effectively be willing to make this dream a reality, specifically by using their draft pick (55th pick) to bring in Bronny James, who currently plays for Californian university USC. That way, they reportedly hope to convince LeBron to stay in LA for a while longer.

Not realistic? When Michael Jordan was 40 years (and 4 days) old and playing for the Washington Wizard, he broke the record of the oldest NBA player with 40+ points during a game. Against the Nets, he scored 43 points to be exact.