2024-25 NBA Play-In odds show the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks as the favorites to land in the tournament.
What exactly is the Play-In Tournament? It’s a competitive showdown at the conclusion of the regular NBA season where teams ranked 6th to 10th in each conference battle it out for the last two playoff spots.
Still unclear? Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to know.
Let’s take a look at the current odds for teams likely to participate in the Play-In Tournament, according to DraftKings Sportsbook as of February 25.
To participate in Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament
Hawks: -2500 (bet $10 to win $10.40 total)
Heat: -900 (bet $10 to win $11.11 total)
Magic: -350 (bet $10 to win $12.86 total)
Bulls: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
76ers: +145 (bet $10 to win $24.50 total)
Pistons: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)
Raptors: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Bucks: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
To participate in Western Conference Play-In Tournament
Mavericks: -475 (bet $10 to win $12.11 total)
Clippers: -330 (bet $10 to win $13.03 total)
Kings: -310 (bet $10 to win $13.23 total)
Warriors: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total)
Wolves: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Suns: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Lakers: +310 (bet $10 to win $41 total)
Rockets: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
As of February 25, the standings in the East show the Hawks as the 8-seed, the Heat as the 9-seed, the Magic in the 7th spot, and the Bulls holding the 10th position.
In the West, the Mavericks occupy the 8-seed, the Clippers are in 6th place, the Kings sit at 10th, and the Warriors are currently the 9-seed.
DraftKings has also released odds on how Play-In teams might perform in the playoffs as of February 25.
Play-In team specials
Any Play-In Tournament team to reach the second round of the playoffs: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)
Any Play-In Tournament team to reach the conference finals: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)
Any Play-In Tournament team to reach the NBA Finals: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Any Play-In Tournament team to win the NBA Finals: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
How did Play-In teams fare last season? The results were not encouraging.
In the Western Conference, the Lakers secured the 7-seed while the Pelicans took the 8-seed. Unfortunately, Los Angeles was eliminated 4-1 by Denver in the first round, and New Orleans was swept by the Thunder.
In the East, the Knicks triumphed over the Heat, winning 4-2 in the first round, while the Celtics defeated the Heat 4-1.
However, 2023 showcased a remarkable performance from one Play-In team.
The Miami Heat, starting as the 8-seed after losing their first Play-In match, went on a historic run. They defeated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the first round, overcame the 5-seed New York Knicks 4-2 in the second round, and triumphed over the 2-seed Boston Celtics 4-3 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Ultimately, the Heat faced the Denver Nuggets, the Western Conference’s top seed, in the NBA Finals, where they were defeated 4-1.
