NBA Playoff Odds - 10 May

There are now only 7 teams left in the NBA playoffs, and many of them have made some nice jumps this week, especially the Dallas Mavericks, who eliminated the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in just 4 games. The Bulls are struggling to finish off Atlanta, but they should be able to advance to the next round anyway. Here are the updated odds of each team advancing, with change from last week in parentheses.

Odds of Making Conference Finals

1. Dallas - 100.0% (+16.5)

2. Miami - 94.6% (+5.0)

3. Chicago - 87.6% (+0.3)

4. Oklahoma City - 58.6% (+8.4)

5. Memphis - 41.4% (-8.4)

6. Atlanta - 12.4% (-0.3)

7. Boston - 5.4% (-5.0)

Oklahoma City and Miami both increased their odds by winning a game on the road, Oklahoma City to regain home court advantage, and Miami to push Boston to the brink. Chicago's odds didn't change much because they lost a game in Atlanta, when they should have won both.

Odds of Making NBA Finals

1. Dallas - 66.5% (+13.7)

2. Miami - 54.7% (+1.3)

3. Chicago - 42.6% (+0.8)

4. Oklahoma City - 20.9% (+1.4)

5. Memphis - 12.7% (-4.4)

6. Boston - 2.2% (-2.0)

7. Atlanta - 0.6% (0.0)

The top 4 teams all saw increased odds of making the Finals, especially Dallas after they demolished Los Angeles. Oklahoma City also moved up a little with that news, but Dallas took most of the 10.6% that was given up by the Lakers from last week. Miami and Chicago still looks to be a very entertaining Conference Final.

Odds of Winning the Championship

1. Miami - 34.7% (-1.7)

2. Dallas - 29.1% (+8.3)

3. Chicago - 24.8% (-0.9)

4. Oklahoma City - 6.8% (+0.6)

5. Memphis - 3.5% (-1.2)

6. Boston - 0.9% (-1.0)

7. Atlanta - 0.0% (-0.1)

Only Oklahoma City and Dallas increased their odds of winning the title this week, but no one saw a big change other than the Mavericks, who absorbed LA's 4.3% and moved up a bit with their dominating performance in that series. The Finals may not be as big a blowout for the East as it once looked, but Miami and Chicago are still dominating the odds, with Dallas giving the West a real contender.

NBA Player of the Day

Russell Westbrook - OKC - 40 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk, 15-33 FG, 10-11 FT

Westbrook had a monster game, helped by the fact that it went to triple overtime, but hit more big shots in the game than any other player. He was even able to outscore Kevin Durant, the leading scorer in the regular season and playoffs, while contributing a little bit in every other statistical category and helping the Thunder steal back home court advantage from Memphis.

Predictions - 10 May

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA

Hawks at Bulls - Bulls by 10

MLB

Mariners at Orioles - Mariners by 0.2

Rays at Indians - Indians by 0.9

Royals at Yankees - Yankees by 0.5

Dodgers at Pirates - Pirates by 1.6

Red Sox at Blue Jays - Sox by 0.4

Nationals at Braves - Braves by 1.6

Phillies at Marlins - Phillies by 0.6

Athletics at Rangers - A's by 0.3

Cardinals at Cubs - Cards by 1.1

Reds at Astros - Reds by 2.2

Tigers at Twins - Tigers by 2.5

Padres at Brewers - Brewers by 1.1

Mets at Rockies - Rockies by 0.1

White Sox at Angels - Angels by 2.2

Diamondbacks at Giants - D-Backs by 0.0

Prediction Results - 9 May

NBA Playoffs: 0-2 (.000) 42-18 overall (.700)

MLB: 6-3 (.667) 197-185 overall (.516)

Upsets: 0-2 (.000) 239-168 overall (.587)