jon hoefling, usa today
·3 min read
The 2024 NBA Playoffs has reached its Final Four -- the pre-postseason favorite Boston Celtics, the Cinderella story Indiana Pacers, the impossible-to-root-against Minnesota Timberwolves, and the team with something to prove Dallas Mavericks.
Although the Boston Celtics are still everyone's pick to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy when all is said and done, this playoffs has proven above many others in recent memory to be unpredictable. Anything can happen. If a No. 6-seed and No. 5-seed can reach the Conference Finals in the same year, anything can happen. That said, it is still very clear who the favorites and underdogs are.
Here is every remaining team ranked based on their 2024 championship odds. All odds via BetMGM.
2024 NBA Playoff Bracket: Predictions, odds and schedule for NBA Conference Finals
Power Ranking 2024 Conference Finalists by odds:
1) Boston Celtics (-150)
The Boston Celtics have proven all season long that they are the team to beat in these playoffs. Even without big man Kristaps Porzingis for an extended period of time, the Celtics have had no issue blazing through the first two rounds. Now they get an Indiana Pacers team that just gave everything they had in order to take the Knicks out in seven games? While it's always tough to root for the favorite, the Celtics have the clearest path to the Finals, making them an easy pick for the championship.
2) Minnesota Timberwolves (+260)
The Minnesota Timberwolves were able to take down the reigning champion Denver Nuggets and did so with not only a few blowout wins early on in the series, but a fantastic come-from-behind victory in Game 7 on the road. The T-Wolves' defense is no joke, and while Rudy Gobert mans that end of the floor, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jaden McDaniels have emerged into a remarkable trio on offense.
Unfortunately for them, none of those players are as talented as Luka Doncic. With basketball being one of the most superstar driven sports, Doncic could be too much for the Wolves to handle if he gets hot.
3) Dallas Mavericks (+500)
Luka Doncic is arguably the best player left standing, and in the NBA, sometimes that is enough to win a championship. Obviously, Dallas will need more from some of its secondary players if they want any hope of taking down a team like the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. However, those players have stepped up as of late, with guys like P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dereck Lively II each having some memorable moments in their series against Oklahoma City.
4) Indiana Pacers (+3000)
For just four teams remaining, the Pacers' chance at a championship seem remarkably low based on their odds. This is a team that led the NBA in scoring during the regular season and continues to shoot lights out during the playoffs. Of course, their defense is a massive problem, but that hasn't been a problem through the first two rounds.
While many people cite the injuries to players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Jalen Brunson for the Pacers' Cinderella run, the saying goes "It's better to be lucky than good." The Pacers might continues getting lucky on that front too with Boston's Kristaps Porzingis out for the start of the Eastern Conference Finals. Compared to the rest of the teams still standing, 30-1 odds seems disrespectful.
When do the Conference Finals start?
Game 1 of the Pacers-Celtics series is tonight, starting at 8 p.m. ET and airing on ESPN.
The Mavericks-Timberwolves series starts Wednesday with an 8:30 p.m. ET start time. Game 1 will air on TNT. All games from each series can be streamed with a fubo TV subscription.
Stream the game: Watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a fubo subscription
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Playoffs: Power ranking remaining playoff teams by championship odds
