2025 NBA playoff odds, predictions: Back Pistons upset in first round

On Saturday, the NBA playoffs tip off, and the Boston Celtics will look to defend their title and try to become the first team since the 2017-2018 Warriors to repeat as champions. 

At DraftKings Sportsbook, the Celtics enter the postseason with +195 odds to win the NBA Finals. They have the second-shortest odds behind Oklahoma City. The Thunder are currently +165 to win it all, following a dominant 68-14 regular season, which is the best record in the league. 

We already have six matchups set for the first round, while the top-seeded Thunder and Cavaliers await their respective first-round opponents. 

Let’s take a look at each series, and find a betting angle for every matchup.

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are -5000 to win the series, while the Magic are +1600. Before you automatically pencil the Celtics in to advance to the next round, consider the recent series history between these two teams. 

The Magic went 2-1 against the Celtics this year and have gone 6-4 against them over the last three seasons combined, including four double-digit victories. They have great size and the defensive skills to bother the defending champs, so maybe this isn’t as easy as the odds would indicate. 

Orlando can win a game and maybe even two, but I don’t think we see an upset here. I don’t think the underdog has enough scoring punch, as the Magic are dead last in the NBA in 3-pointers made and in 3-point percentage. And they're facing a hungry and rested Celtics team, so I’m going Under on the Magic team total in Game 1. 

PICK: Magic Game 1 Under 95.5 points scored

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are now -165 favorites and the Bucks are at +135 odds for this first-round matchup.

This is a rematch of