After an exciting, if shorter than usual regular season, the NBA Playoffs have been hugely enjoyable
over the last few weeks. Slowly but surely, the ten teams from each conference that qualified for post-season action have been whittled down to just two teams remaining in each conference.
Along the way there have been some incredible individual performances, last second drama and even an overtime win in game 7 of the series between two teams rated by many as the favourites to become the new NBA Champions.
There have been shocks aplenty in the games so far, with the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers and the two top seeds from each conference, the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers all falling by the wayside ahead of the Conference Championship games.
If you are someone who follows the action in the NBA closely and you want to enjoy a wager on the outcome of the two Conference Championship final series, then bet365 Sport offers an excellent range of bets on each game, including a wide range of different betting markets, as well as In Play betting while the game is taking place
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Of course, interest in these games is huge, particularly in the United States and for all the latest news from the NBA Playoffs, as well as plenty of great betting on all of the games in each series, check out the latest markets and odds available at BetRivers PA.
Let’s now take a look at the two Conference Championship best of seven series and give you some details about each of the four teams competing and which two we think will eventually make it through to the NBA Championship Game.
NBA Conference Finals Series
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns Vs Los Angeles Clippers. (Suns lead series 1-0)
Phoenix Suns
- Seeded – #2
- Regular Season Record – 51-21
Playoff Performance
- Vs Los Angeles Lakers W 4-2 (99-90, 102-109, 95-109, 100-92, 115-85, 113-100)
- Vs Denver Nuggets W 4-0 (122-105, 123-98, 116-102, 125-118)
- Vs Los Angeles Clippers 1-0 (120-114)
Key Players
- Devin Booker
Arguably one of the best players of the season, Devin Booker has come alive as a points-scoring machine for the Suns in the playoffs, with numerous 30+ points games and a number of hugely impressive baskets. With Chris Paul absent for the first game against the Clippers Booker stepped up to lead the team to victory in his absence with a 40-point haul, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
- Chris Paul
Along with Booker, Chris Paul has been a massive part of the Suns impressive performances this season. Forming a twin-pronged attack, with Booker, Paul has often been the player to create chances for his teammate while adding valuable points contributions himself, such as his 37 points in game 4 of the series against the Nuggets.
Other Players – Deandre Ayron, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, Jalen Smith, Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky, Torrey Craig, Jevon Carter, Abdel Nader, Langston Galloway, E;Twaun Moore, Ty-Shon Alexander, Cameron Johnson
Los Angeles Clippers
- Seeded – #4
- Regular Season Record – 47-25
Playoff Performance
- Vs Dallas Mavericks W 4-3 (103-113, 121-127, 118-108, 106-81, 100-105, 104-97, 126-111)
- Vs Utah Jazz W 4-2 (109-112, 111-117, 132-106, 118-104, 119-111, 131-119)
- Vs Phoenix Suns 0-1 (114-120)
Key Players
- Kawhi Leonard
An injury to Leonard robbed the Clippers of his services for the last two games of the series against the Jazz and also the first game against the Suns and the talented point-scorer has been sorely missed at times. His play in the playoffs is a large part of the reason why the Clippers came through against the Mavericks and Jazz. His status for the remainder of the Suns series is unknown.
- Paul George
While Terance Mann’s 39 points against the Utah Jazz in the decisive sixth game was key, Paul George has been the man to step up and fill the void left by Leonard’s injury. A hugely talented player on offense and defense, George
Other Players – Rajon Rondo, DeMarcus Cousins, Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Serge Ibaka, Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, Patrick Beverley, Nicolas Batum, Ivica Zubac, Jay Scrubb, Yogi Ferrell, Daniel Oturu, Patrick Patterson, Amir Coffey
Current Odds To Win Series
- Phoenix Suns – 2/9
- Los Angeles Clippers – 7/2
Our Tip
The Clippers have done very well to get this far in the tournament, but I think that they have met their match in the Suns. If the Suns can beat them without Chris Paul, then when he does return, the Suns will just be that bit stronger. The Clippers had to win this opener for me to be a believer but it didn’t quite happen for them. For me, the Suns will win this series 4-2 which is a 4/1 shot with bet365.
Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks V Atlanta Hawks
Milwaukee Bucks
- Seeded – #3
- Regular Season Record – 46-26
Playoff Performance
- Vs Miami Heat – W 4-0 (109-107, 132-98,113-84, 120-103)
- Vs Brooklyn Nets – W 4-3 (107-115, 86-125, 86-83, 107-96, 108-114, 104-89, 115-111)
- Vs Atlanta Hawks – 0-0
Key Players
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
Now in his eighth season with the Bucks, who drafted him in 2013, Antetokounmpo has become one of the stars of the NBA, winning back to back MVPs in 2019 and 2020. He has been outstanding again this season for the Bucks in both the regular and pre-season and will play a key role for them throughout the playoffs.
- Khris Middleton
Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2012, Middleton was traded to the Bucks as part of a trade for guard Brandon Jennings in 2013.His fadeaway jumper shot with 0.5 seconds left in overtime gave the Bucks a 1-0 series lead against Miami in their opening playoff game and he also notched a playoff career high 38 points against the Nets in the key game 6 of the series.
Other Players – Jrue Holiday, P.J.Tucker, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Donnie DiVincenzo, Brun Forbes, Jeff Teague, Bobby Portis, Jordan Nwora, Pat Connaughton, Axel Toupane, Justin Jackson, Sam Merrill, Elijah Bryant, Mamadi Diakite
Atlanta Hawks
- Seeded – #4
- Regular Season Record – 41-31
Playoff Performance
- Vs New York Knicks – W 4-1 (107-105, 92-101, 105-94, 113-96, 105-94)
- Vs Philadelphia 76ers – W 4-3 (128-124, 102-118, 111-127, 103-100, 109-106, 99-104, 103-96)
- Vs Milwaukee Bucks – 0-0
Key Players
- Trae Young
The three year veteran has been the driving force behind the Hawks in the playoffs, playing key roles
in both playoff victories including landing a game winning basket at the buzzer in the first game against the Knicks.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
Moved to Atlanta from Sacramento before the start of the season and has become a key component of the supporting cash behind Young and has set career best records for field goals, three points, free throws and points per game this season.
Other Players – John Collins, Clint Capela, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Onyeka Okongwu, Kris Dunn, Tony Snell, Solomon Hill, Brandon Goodwin, Bruno Fernando, Nathan Knight, Skylar Mays
Current Odds To Win Series
- Milwaukee Bucks – 2/9
- Atlanta Hawks – 7/2
Our Tip
The Atlanta Hawks have done superbly well to reach this far in the playoffs and their team ethic combined with Trae Young’s brilliance, have been the catalyst for that. However, I feel they have met their match in the Bucks who should be oozing confidence after that win over the Brooklyn Nets. They are a tad inconsistent at times the Bucks, so that will keep the Hawks in this series, but I am backing Bucks to win this series 4-2 which is a 4/1 shot with bet365.
