Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

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NBA 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Odds: Will the Cavaliers join the Celtics? Which Team Is the Dark Horse?

The NBA playoffs will start this saturday, and the Eastern Conference playoff picture is becoming more apparent with each day.

Last season, the Boston Celtics swept through the East with a dominant 12-2 run, culminating in the franchise’s 18th championship. But the Cleveland Cavaliers has raised the bar this season by finishing as the #1 in the East. Can the Cavs make their first Eastern Conference Finals since the 2018 playoffs?

Let us sift through the odds for the Eastern Finals real quick

Odds updated April 15th via BetMGM

Boston Celtics: -140

Per BetMGM, the Celts remain the favorites to notch a Conference Finals spot. Before resting their starters, they had managed a 59-20 record. They had one of the best records after late January with a 27-5 tally, indicating they are in full flow to finish on the top. The Celts are the best long-range shooting team, the only team to nail over 17 triples per game, breaking their own record from last season. Overall, the Celts are the best two-way team in the conference, and it will be a huge surprise if they don’t reach the Conference Finals.

Place a bet on the Boston Celtics for -140 at BetMGM

Cleveland Cavaliers: +180

The Cavs are set to finish with the best record in the conference. They had a 63-17 record before resting their starters, including 15-game and 16-game winning streaks. The Cavaliers had the most 120+ points games and also locked in the defense when needed. However, they also showed some vulnerabilities, especially on the road during the late season, especially a four-game losing streak during their Western Conference away-from-home trip. Despite that, they are the second favorite to reach the Conference Finals and can likely meet the Celtics in the round.

New York Knicks: +1200

The Knicks are going to finish as the third or fourth seed. There is plenty to like about the team. The forward duo of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby has been tremendous on both ends and can be huge during the playoffs. Meanwhile, the backcourt of Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart brings versatile flavor, but it is Karl-Anthony Towns who provides them the big X-factor. He has the tools to propel the New York Knicks to a Conference Finals berth, but a lot will depend upon who they will meet in the first two rounds.

Indiana Pacers: +2200

The Pacers did make the Eastern Conference Finals last season and will meet either the Detroit Pistons or the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. They have a great offensive team, and their defense has also done well. The biggest plus has been Tyrese Haliburton’s improved play compared to the early parts of the season, and he will be a huge factor ahead of the playoffs as a 20+ points and 10+ assists player. Meanwhile, Benedict Mathurin can be an X factor off the bench. They do have a well-rounded unit to finish as one of the two Eastern Conference Finals squads.

Milwaukee Bucks: +5000

The Bucks are heavily dependent upon Giannis Antetokounmpo. They had some promising stretches throughout the season, but a season-ending injury to their second superstar, Damian Lillard, significantly deflated their chances of making a deep run.

The Bucks are likely to finish as the fifth seed, but their road will be tricky no matter who they face. The team lacks a consistent offensive option out of Giannis Antetokounmpo and would need bench player Kevin Porter Jr. to play out of his skin. At any rate, the Bucks don’t look like a Conference Final team right now.

Detroit Pistons: +8000

The Pistons are given very low chances to reach the Conference Finals. However, they can’t be underestimated. A team that was expected to finish among bottom squads has risen to the playoffs. This promising ascent suggests that the Pistons are a force to reckon with.

Cade Cunningham has been on a tear and has become one of the best scorers in the league. He has a strong lineup around him. The mix of youth and veterans makes them a dark horse for the Eastern Conference Finals.

Teams	Odds
Boston Celtics	-140 at BetMGM
Cleveland Cavaliers	+180 at BetMGM
New York Knicks	+1200 at BetMGM
Indiana Pacers	+2200 at BetMGM
Milwaukee Bucks	+5000 at BetMGM
Detroit Pistons	+8000 at BetMGM
Orlando Magic	+35000 at BetMGM
Atlanta Hawks	+50000 at BetMGM
Miami Heat	+50000 at BetMGM
Chicago Bulls	+50000 at BetMGM

Conclusion

One thing is clear: the Boston Celtics are the clear-cut favorites to reach the ultimate stage in the Conference. A Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers match-up in the East Finals won’t be surprising. However, there is a lingering belief that the Cavs’ Regular Season heroics may not translate to the postseason and a team like the Indiana Pacers can beat them in a seven-game series. Anyway, keep a tab on this section as we will see how the odds play out after the end of the play-in tournament.

Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

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Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!