NBA PLAYOFFS Odds & Predictions: Conference Semifinals 2025
Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers proved why they were the best teams after the regular season as they handily beat their first round opponents to move into the conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs.
The Thunder swept the Grizzlies 4-0 on Saturday while the Cavaliers advanced into the next round after dismantling the Miami Heat 138-83 in Game 4 to close out the series. Although there is still plenty of action left in the first round, here are some of the best bets you can make on bet365 right now for the conference semifinals.
Best bets for the NBA conference semifinals
With the NBA playoffs heating up and the first round nearly in the books, the conference semifinals are shaping up to deliver high-stakes matchups and marquee performances. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers have already punched their tickets with emphatic sweeps, sending a clear message to the rest of the league while the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers closed out their respective series in Game 5 to move on.
For bettors, this is the perfect time to capitalize on early lines and futures markets before oddsmakers adjust. Whether you’re backing red-hot stars or banking on tactical trends, I’ve rounded up the sharpest bets you can make right now on bet365 heading into the next round of the postseason.
| Top Picks and Bets | bet365 Odds |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers to win the East | 2.60 |
| Golden State Warriors to win the West | 6.50 |
Cleveland Cavaliers to win the East – 2.60
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the first team to punch their ticket to the conference semifinals, yet they seemed not to get the respect they deserved. Well, at least that’s how the odds look like. Currently, the Cavaliers are the second-favorite team to win the Eastern Conference at 2.60, just behind the defending champions Boston Celtics, who are listed as the 1.68 favorites on bet365.
The Celtics just advanced into the conference semis after destroying the Orlando Magic 120-89 in Game 5 to win their series 4-1 and will await the winner of the New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons matchup. Although the Celtics are the odds-on favorite to win the East, the 2.60 odds on the Cavaliers to win the East are too good to pass up and I might even use the bet365 sign up bonus on this.
Cleveland will face the Indiana Pacers next and they should be the favorite regardless, considering the manner they’ve manhandled latter in the regular season. If that’s not good enough, the Cavaliers also beat the Celtics twice in the regular season. Add to the fact that they have home court advantage and you’ll find out why the 2.60 odds is worth a risk.
Golden State Warriors to win the West – 6.50
The Golden State Warriors have yet to advance into the Western Conference Semifinals, but they’ve put themselves a step closer after beating the Houston Rockets in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. A 3-1 series lead is never safe as the Warriors learned the hard way in the 2016 NBA Finals.
However, I am going out on a limb here and picking the Warriors to not only advance into the conference semifinals but also win their conference at 6.50. Should the Warriors win their series versus the Rockets, they will be going up against either the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round, which they can theoretically beat in a seven-game series. They beat the Lakers 123-116 late in the regular season and won three of their four regular-season games versus the Timberwolves.
While the Warriors are not the same team as they were, former two-time league Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry is still surrounded with reliable shooters like Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler who can take the scoring load at any given night. Considering the Warriors’ penchant for upsets, I am willing to back them here at 6.50 to win the wild Western Conference.
Conclusion – Lock in the value on bet365 right now
With the first round nearly closing its curtains and the conference semifinals taking shape, now is the time to find value before the odds shift. The Cleveland Cavaliers have quietly asserted themselves as real contenders in the East and at 2.60, they could offer plenty of value. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors – seasoned, deep, and still dangerous – are a high-risk, high-reward play at 6.50 to win the West. If you’re looking to get ahead of the market, these two bets on bet365 could offer some of the sharpest value heading into the next chapter of the NBA playoffs.
