We are drawing closer to the end of the 2023 NBA regular season, with most teams having played around 70 games. Things are settling down and we are getting a clearer picture of potential playoff positions and which teams will face off against each other in the first round.
Obviously, we have the play-in tournament, which could radically alter things, but the top seeds are almost set in stone and there are some likely matchups.
If you are into sports betting and want to place a few wagers on NBA picks for the playoffs, we’ll provide our thoughts on likely first round matchups in the East and West, and who we believe will triumph.
Western Conference
The West is a difficult one to call as there is hardly anything between sixth and 12th position, and the next few games could radically alter the landscape. It’s really tight in the West and we are at the stage where any loss could mean falling from a relatively comfortable mid-seed finish into the play-ins!
Nonetheless, we have chosen three potential matchups we think are likely to happen.
Nuggets vs Lakers
We are sticking the Lakers in as the team that will take the last playoff spot from the play-in tournament. They seem to have found their stride and the new additions of Vanderbilt and Beasley appear to be gelling rather well.
This new-look Lakers team can beat anyone on their day, and no one can count out a team with a healthy LeBron and AD.
Denver are likely to claim the top spot and their form as of late has not been stellar. At the time of writing this, their last 10 games have resulted in five wins and five losses, and includes some matches they really should have won. If their form doesn’t get back on track, we can see the Lakers taking them out.
Grizzlies vs Mavericks
Oh wow, imagine this as a first-round matchup! Whoever gets the Dallas Mavericks is in for a tough ride, especially if Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving are healthy. We know that Luka simply thrives on playoff scenarios and he has already proved he has the killer mentality.
The issue is of course their defense, and this needs to improve greatly for them to make a deep playoff run.
The Grizzlies have also been playing really well and are holding on to their second-seed spot – even without Ja Morant. Morant should be back in full swing come the playoffs, and providing he has put his ridiculous behavior behind him, we can expect an amazing show in this potential first-round battle.
Morant vs Dončić in a blistering offensive display – fingers crossed!
Kings vs Warriors
Whatever the outcome for the Kings, this is a monumental season for them and they have shut all their critics up with their dazzling play. As things stand, they could face reigning champions the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
We really can’t call this one as there are too many unknown factors. How will the King’s stars stand up to playoff pressure, as hardly any of them will have postseason experience? Will the Warriors continue to suck away from home and can they rely solely on amazing performances at the Oracle Arena?
We believe that the Warriors should win this due to their experience and the fact they have Steph Curry, but we can’t count out De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis, who are playing superbly.
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference is a little more settled and the playoff seeds are more certain due to the gaps between spots. The play-in spots are still widely up for grabs but everything above that is slotting into place and we have a decent idea of where teams will finish.
Bucks vs Hawks
We are touting the Bucks to take the top seed in the East, when everyone expected Boston to triumph. The Bucks have been in incredible form recently, and Giannis, Jrue and Lopez are all playing exceptionally well. Kash Money is regaining his step every game and their role players are all doing their part.
The team just seems to gel particularly well and they could potentially face the Hawks in the first round. With their excellent defending and the big-man duo of Lopez and Giannis, we think this will be a 4-1 or 4-0 blowout, with Atlanta being unable to contain the Greek Freak, while Jrue should be able to lock down Trae Young.
They have proved time and time again that they can blowout teams even when Giannis is injured.
Celtics vs Heat
Boston could still easily grab the first spot in the East but we think they are now likely to finish second. With current standings, this means their first-round match will be against the Miami Heat.
Realistically, if Boston play anything like they usually do, they should win this one. We can see Miami taking a couple of games from them – perhaps 4-2? But to win, they would need monumental performances from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
It’s not out of the realms of possibility, and Butler is known for stepping up in the postseason, but do they have enough to stop an MVP-level Tatum and All-Star Brown?
76ers vs Nets
Despite losing Kevin Durant, the Nets have been playing pretty well and are holding steady in the East. Spencer Dinwiddie is playing brilliantly, as is Bridges. As things stand, we could see them facing off against the 76ers.
We have to give this one to Philadelphia – and it would probably be a 4-1 victory. You have Joel Embiid playing at an incredible level and he is arguably the top contender for regular season MVP, apart from Jokić.
On top of that, James Harden continues to be a brilliant playmaker and scorer, and Maxey and Harris are in decent form too.
The 2023 NBA Playoffs can’t come soon enough!
We cannot wait for the 2023 NBA Playoffs to begin! The regular season has been enthralling as it is, with some incredible individual performances and stat lines. Hopefully, the players are not burnt out and they can continue to give us a show for the postseason.
In terms of the overall winners of the West and East, we pick the Nuggets for the West and the Bucks for the East. Although Denver have had a bad run recently, they still look the strongest overall in the West and the Warriors are just too inconsistent.
In the East, the way that the Bucks are playing makes us think they can push past Boston, who simply haven’t been as good of late.
