The NBA playoffs have reached the Conference Finals, which is the professional basketball equivalent of the Final Four. The big questions now are: How long will Oklahoma City hold their position as the leading team? And will New York finally end its 52-year wait for a championship? Here are the latest playoff odds as of May 28th.
In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers (4th seed) currently lead the New York Knicks (3rd seed) 3-1 in the series. Indiana is favored to win the series at odds of -600, while the Knicks are at +450. For Game 5, scheduled at Madison Square Garden, the odds favor New York at -192 with an over/under of 222.5 points. Recently, the road teams have been winning. The Pacers clinched a vital Game 4 victory with a 130-121 upset. Tyrese Halliburton had a historic performance with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds—the first in NBA history to achieve such stats. Despite strong performances by Knicks stars Jalen Brunson (31 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points), and OG Anunoby (22 points), New York fell short.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves (6th seed) face the Oklahoma City Thunder (1st seed), with the Thunder leading the series 3-1. The Thunder are heavy favorites to win the series at -4000, while the Timberwolves are at +1700. Game 5 returns to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, with OKC as an 8.5-point favorite and moneyline at -340, and an over/under of 220.5 points. Oklahoma City started strong with convincing wins in Games 1 and 2 but suffered a massive 42-point loss in Game 3 to Minnesota. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) bounced back with a career playoff-high performance despite some earlier struggles. OKC now needs just one more win to advance to the NBA Finals.
Fan Take: This moment is crucial for both conferences, showcasing thrilling upsets and record-breaking performances that keep fans on the edge of their seats. How these series conclude could redefine legacies and shift the balance of power in the NBA for years to come, making this playoff run one of the most exciting in recent memory.
