NBA Playoffs Slam Dunk
Basketball fans can feel the excitement in the air as the start of the NBA Playoffs nears. The NBA Playoffs is one of the biggest Basketball tournaments in America with millions of viewers tuning in. 19 April will mark the start of the 79th edition of the competition.
The tournament features 16 teams. The 16 is made up of the top six teams in each Conference at the end of the NBA season. The two top teams in the Play-in tournament will make up the other two teams to make up the total of 16 teams. Therefore the Basketball Playoffs is a post NBA season tournament that features the East and West Conferences. The top team to emerge from each Conference in the Playoffs will go on to play NBA Finals. The NBA Finals is a best out of seven matches’ competition. The NBA Finals will be played after the Playoffs in June. Over 60 matches will be played in the Playoffs to determine the final two teams that will play in the NBA Finals.
NBA Teams Progress to the Playoffs
Western Conference teams that have qualified are:
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets
Eastern Conference teams that have made it through to the NBA Playoffs are:
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Boston Celtics
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Indiana Pacers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Play-in tournament
The four NBA teams that finish outside of the top 6 bracket still have a chance to be part of the Playoffs. The Play-in tournament takes place over three days before the Playoffs. The mini tournament starts on the 15th of April and finishes on the 18th of April and consists of six matches. The teams that end up in the top two of the Play-in tournament will advance to the Playoffs.
The teams that will battle it out in the NBA Eastern Conference are:
- Chicago Bulls
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Miami Heat
NBA Western Conference teams:
- Dallas Mavericks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Golden State Warriors
- Sacramento Kings
Stand out players in the 2025 NBA season
LeBron James is a player that needs no introduction. King James as he is also often referred to is the all time leading scorer in the NBA with over 50 000 career points. LeBron is currently playing in his 22nd season of the NBA. Furthermore he has broken multiple records in and off the court. His stand out moment must be when he and his son Bronny made history by becoming the first father/son duo to play in a NBA match together in 2024. The gold medallist is also currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers who is in the top six teams in the Western Conference.
Luka Doncic is another player making waves in Basketball. He plays with LeBron James for the LA Lakers and has had a fantastic 2025 season. The 2019 Rookie of the year has bolstered the LA Lakers.
Furthermore, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who plays for Oklahoma City Thunder has been an integral part of the team. They also finished their NBA season as the seed of the Western Conference.
Teams with potential to make it to NBA Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder finished 1st in the Western conference of the NBA season. The team is predicted to do well in the Playoffs although there is some scepticism as this is their first Playoffs in 13 years. Bookies do however have them favourite team to win in the Western Conference.
Pundits see LA Lakers a close second team to advance to the NBA Finals. Their team has the experience of LeBron James as well as Anthony Davis behind them. Furthermore, Houston Rockets had a strong finish and came second in the NBA season (Western Conference). So they are considered a strong team in the Playoffs.
The experience in the Playoffs makes Boston Celtics the favourite team to win the East Conference. However, Cleveland Cavaliers came first in the East Conference NBA season and seen as hot property by having finished the season strong.
The upcoming Playoffs seem poised to bring a lot action and drama. Will the teams that progress from the Play-in tournament challenge the favourites? Also which team will represent their respective Conference in the NBA Finals? Our bookies in SA offer odds on Basketball matches from around the world with plenty of betting opportunity.
Best Basketball Betting Sites
There are some great best betting sites out there for your Basketball betting needs. You will even find some excellent promotions by online sites such as Hollywoodbets. Therefore, here are some of the sites we recommend with detailed reviews carried out as well.
- Great, competitive odds
- Generous, regular promotions
- Live In-Play, BetGames, Lucky Numbers
- Good bonuses with fair wagering requirements
- Slots, Aviator and Live Casino Games
- 24/7 support
- Wealth of promotions
- Varied games portfolio
- Fun and friendly
- Exclusive Power Bet Bonus
- Great features, including Cashout and Bet Builder
- Bet Vegas Live Games
We also recommend reviewing your betting strategies, look at expert predictions and tips. Keep an eye on the form of the team and players and keep your bets simple especially if you are new to Basketball betting.
