The 2024 NBA playoffs field is now finalized following the qualification of the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat. The first round commenced over the weekend, with teams like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their series against the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, respectively.
The playoffs in both conferences are following a traditional bracket format, featuring best-of-seven series in each round. The series maintain a 2-2-1-1-1 format, where the team with home-court advantage hosts games 1, 2, 5, and 7. This format has been in place since 2014, replacing the previous 2-3-2 format for the NBA Finals. Unlike some other sports leagues, teams in the NBA playoffs are not reseeded, and the bracket remains fixed throughout.
As for predictions on who might win the NBA Finals in 2024, many observers believe that the playoffs could unfold differently from the seedings. For instance, the Milwaukee Bucks are tied with the Indiana Pacers despite losing their second game 125-108. The Boston Celtics are the favored team according to bookmakers, with the Nuggets seen as their closest challengers.
Teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat are considered long shots, given their odds of winning it all. Despite the Celtics’ strong start, other teams like the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Knicks have shown promising form in the first round, adding excitement and pressure to the playoff race.
