2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Odds and Predictions 

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With just two months left until the NBA Playoffs begin, which ultimately leads to the crowning of the 2024-25 NBA Champions, both Conferences have a number of teams jockeying for seeding. 

While some of these teams appear to be locks at the top of each Conference, other squads are making a frenzied push to qualify for the postseason. Many of these teams were very aggressive at the NBA Trade Deadline as they tried to improve both their rosters and chances of a Playoff run.  

Only the Top 6 seeds in each Conference automatically earn a Playoff spot. Seeds 7 through 10 of each Conference must participate in the NBA Play-In Tournament to try and earn one of the final two Playoff spots in the East and West. 

Although we don’t know which teams will participate in the Play-In Tournament as of this writing, there’s still plenty of NBA bets that we can place ahead of time. 

Let’s take a look at the latest NBA Play-In Tournament odds, courtesy of the best sports betting sites, and make some early NBA picks for the Play-In Tournament. 

How Does The NBA Play-In Tournament Work?

The NBA Play-In Tournament is designed to determine the final two Playoff spots in each Conference. It was first implemented in 2021-22, after the NBA used a variation of it in the 2020-21 season due to Covid. The following is a brief summary of the NBA Play-In Tournament rules:

7^th Seed vs. 8^th Seed

Both Conference’s 7^th seed in the standings will host the 8^th seed. The winners of this game automatically advance to the NBA Playoffs as the 7^th seed in their respective Conference. 

9^th Seed vs. 10^th Seed

Both Conference’s 9^th seed in the standings will host the 10^th seed. The winners of this game will advance to the final round of the Play-In Tournament where they will meet the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game. 

The losers of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups, are automatically eliminated from the tournament and their seasons are over. 

Loser of 7-8 vs. Winner of 9-10

The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 games will host the winners of the games between the No. 9 vs. No. 10 seeds. The winners of this game advance to the NBA Playoffs as the 8^th seed in their respective conferences. The losers are eliminated from the Play-In Tournament and their seasons are over. 

When Is The NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament schedule breaks down as follows (based on the 2024 format):

April 15 – April 18, 2025

• April 15: No. 7 vs. No. 8, No. 9 vs. No. 10
• April 16: No. 7 vs. No. 8, No. 9 vs. No. 10
• April 18: Losers of No. 7 vs. No. 8 play the Winners of No. 9 vs. No. 10

NBA Play-In Tournament Odds

Check out the latest NBA Play-In Tournament odds:

NBA Play-In Tournament Predictions

Check out our predictions for the latest NBA Play-In Tournament odds and prop bets:

Eastern Conference Team To Make Play-In Tournament

• Atlanta Hawks (-750) 
• Philadelphia 76ers (-700) 
• Detroit Pistons (-525) 
• Miami Heat (-200) 
• Orlando Magic (-150) 
• Milwaukee Bucks (+475) 
• Chicago Bulls (+480) 
• Toronto Raptors (+1000)
• Indiana Pacers (+1400) 

As of this writing, the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are currently listed in the No. 7 through 10 seeds in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers are the 11^th seed, currently 1.5 games back of the Chicago Bulls at 10^th.

The Magic, Hawks and Heat are all battling for the Southeast Division. I fully expect one of those teams to win the division and leapfrog the Detroit Pistons who sit in the 6^th seed 2-3 games ahead of that trio.

It’s easy to jump on those teams to make the Play-In, but they don’t offer any value with their odds. The Hawks, 76ers, and Pistons are all -500 or larger. Definitely not worth the risk.

For me, I love the value with the Orlando Magic at -150. Their lack of offense caps their ceiling. I believe the Heat are going to win the division and surpass the Magic in the standings. Currently, the Magic, Heat and Hawks are all within a half game of each other.

The Hawks will be in the Play-In as well, but their -725 odds are ridiculous to bet on. The Magic at -150 gives us plenty of value and a buffer between the 6^th and 11^th seeds. Plus, they have a lot of young talent and made the Playoffs last year.

So, I expect the Magic to battle for another Playoff spot this year and it should come after an entrance into the Play-In Tournament.

Bet: Orlando Magic (-150)

Western Conference Team To Make Play-In Tournament

• Dallas Mavericks (-240) 
• Golden State Warriors (-160) 

• Phoenix Suns (-155) 
• Los Angeles Clippers (-145) 
• Sacramento Kings (-110) 
• San Antonio Spurs (+105) 
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+120) 
• Los Angeles Lakers (+400) 
• Houston Rockets (+800)
• Memphis Grizzlies (+1200) 
• Denver Nuggets (+1200) 

In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers sit in the 6^th spot just one game ahead of the cutoff line for the Play-In Tournament. The Los Angeles Lakers are the 5^th seed at three games above the cutoff line.

Currently, the 7^th through 10^th seeds in the West are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. The Phoenix Suns sit 11^th at 1.5 games back of the Kings and Warriors.

If I had to pick between which LA team earns a Top 6 seed and which earns a Play-In spot, I would pick the Clippers to make the Top 6. The Lakers don’t have the talent down low to hang with the Playoff contenders like the Clippers, Rockets, Nuggets, Grizzlies and Thunder.

And, when Julius Randle returns from injury for the T-Wolves, I don’t see the Lakers hanging with them either. In fact, I think the Mavericks and a healthy Anthony Davis can beat the Lakers who traded the big man for Luka Doncic.

However, I’m not going to bet on the Lake show to be a Play-In team at this point in time. The duo of James and Doncic just need time to gel and learn how all the pieces fit. If they can do that in the next few months then I see this team as the 6^th seed.

With that said, the Warriors and the Kings provide the best value for this pop bet considering that each team is 3.5 games back of the 6^th spot. Additionally, both teams made some dramatic moves at the trade deadline which means they need time to practice and gel just like with the Lakers.

However, between these two, I like the Kings for this prop bet. Not only do they offer better value than the Warriors, but Sacramento has a solid core of talent and more depth than the Warriors do. Additionally, the Kings have had no time to practice after acquiring Lavine, Valencunias, and LaRavia.

The All-Star break is going to give the Kings a much needed opportunity to practice and build momentum in the second half of the season. I’m not sold on the Warriors holding off the Phoenix Suns for the final Play-In spot. But I do believe the Kings can.

Bet: Sacramento Kings (-110)