Predictions - 30 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Chicago at Milwaukee - Bulls by 2
LA Clippers at San Antonio - Spurs by 4

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 2-0 (1.000) 26-11 overall (.703)

Predictions - 29 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Brooklyn at Atlanta - Hawks by 9
Portland at Memphis - Grizzlies by 3

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 1-1 (.500) 24-11 overall (.686)

NBA Playoff Odds - 28 Apr

Every first round series has now reached at least 4 games, and three of them ended in sweeps over the weekend, with Golden State, Cleveland, and Washington finishing up early and earning a little extra rest while they wait to find out which team they will face next. Here are each team's updated odds of advancing through this season's playoffs:

Odds of Winning First Round

1. Warriors - 100.0% (+0.9)
2. Cavaliers - 100.0% (+6.3)
3. Wizards - 100.0% (+17.5)
4. Rockets - 95.8% (+2.8)
5. Grizzlies - 92.0% (+8.8)
6. Bulls - 88.3% (-6.1)
7. Hawks - 84.1% (-14.0)
8. Spurs - 53.7% (-4.4)
9. Clippers - 46.3% (+4.4)
10. Nets - 15.9% (+14.0)
11. Bucks - 11.7% (+6.1)
12. Trail Blazers - 8.0% (-8.8)
13. Mavericks - 4.2% (-2.8)

The pair of upsets pulled off by Brooklyn on their home court had the biggest impact on this round, but they are still big underdogs, just not extreme underdogs.

Odds of Winning Second Round

1. Warriors - 93.9% (+1.5)
2. Cavaliers - 72.3% (+9.7)
3. Hawks - 61.4% (-18.2)
4. Spurs - 44.1% (-1.9)
5. Wizards - 35.2% (+18.9)
6. Clippers - 33.9% (+2.6)
7. Bulls - 26.8% (-8.1)
8. Rockets - 21.8% (-0.5)
9. Grizzlies - 5.8% (-0.6)
10. Nets - 3.4% (+3.4)

The biggest movers here were Washington and Cleveland, which have closed out their first round series and are now resting at home, watching their odds continue to increase by the day.

Odds of Making NBA Finals

1. Warriors - 68.8% (+3.2)
2. Cavaliers - 51.6% (+12.8)
3. Hawks - 26.1% (-13.5)
4. Spurs - 17.3% (-1.1)
5. Bulls - 14.9% (-2.5)
6. Clippers - 9.9% (-1.1)
7. Wizards - 7.0% (+4.2)
8. Rockets - 2.7% (-0.8)
9. Grizzlies - 1.2% (-0.1)

The top two teams in the East are headed in opposite directions right now, making it look like LeBron could make his 5th straight Finals appearance, which has not been done in decades by any player.

Odds of Winning NBA Finals

1. Warriors - 60.2% (+2.8)
2. Spurs - 13.9% (-0.7)
3. Cavaliers - 11.4% (+3.1)
4. Clippers - 7.1% (-1.1)
5. Hawks - 3.6% (-3.3)
6. Bulls - 1.7% (-0.6)
7. Rockets - 1.3% (-0.4)

Golden State is still is prohibitive favorite, and they will get a couple extra days of rest thanks to Portland extending their series last night with a win.

Predictions

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Dallas at Houston - Rockets by 6
San Antonio at LA Clippers - Clippers by 1

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 1-2 (.333) 23-10 overall (.697)

Predictions - 27 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Atlanta at Brooklyn - Hawks by 4
Milwaukee at Chicago - Bulls by 7
Memphis at Portland - Trail Blazers by 1

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 2-2 (.500) 22-8 overall (.733)

Predictions - 26 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Cleveland at Boston - Cavaliers by 2
LA Clippers at San Antonio - Spurs by 4
Toronto at Washington - Wizards by 2
Houston at Dallas - Rockets by 2

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 1-3 (.250) 20-6 overall (.769)

Predictions - 25 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Atlanta at Brooklyn - Hawks by 5
Chicago at Milwaukee - Bulls by 3
Golden State at New Orleans - Warriors by 6
Memphis at Portland - Trail Blazers by 1

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 3-0 (1.000) 19-3 overall (.864)
Upsets: 1-0

Predictions - 24 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA Playoffs

Houston at Dallas - Rockets by 1
Toronto at Washington - Wizards by 2
LA Clippers at San Antonio - Spurs by 3

Prediction Results

NBA Playoffs: 3-0 (1.000) 16-3 overall (.842)