2025 NBA Eastern Conference Odds and Predictions

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As the 2025 NBA Playoffs get underway, the Eastern Conference race feels a lot like it has all season: Boston vs. Everyone Else. The Celtics are the clear betting favorite heading into the postseason, but a handful of teams—most notably Cleveland and New York—believe they’ve got the juice to shake up the bracket.

Whether they do, of course, remains to be seen.

I’ll walk you through the latest Eastern Conference odds, break down the contenders, identify the best betting value, and highlight one longshot bet worth a sprinkle.

And while you’re here, don’t miss our updated NBA Championship and NBA Western Conference odds previews. You can also track the NBA Playoffs and stay up to date with NBA teams and awards races as the playoffs progress.

NBA Eastern Conference Odds

Check out the latest NBA Eastern Conference Championship odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites:

The Celtics are still the dominant force in the East, but Cleveland’s emergence as a true two-way contender has made things interesting. New York and Indiana continue to gain steam after strong finishes, while the Bucks’ odds have improved slightly, though they still seem like a shell of their former selves.

Want to make smarter picks? Check out the Best Handicappers before locking in your conference futures.

NBA Eastern Conference Favorites

The following teams are considered the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, according to the latest NBA odds:

Boston Celtics (-150)

The Boston Celtics bettors are in familiar territory. Boston enters the playoffs as the odds-on favorite at -150, thanks to elite depth and a top-ranked defense.

The Celtics have been among the most dominant teams in the NBA all season, and nothing about their path through the Eastern Conference suggests that’s about to change. This is essentially the same roster that breezed its way to a championship last season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are in the primes of their respective careers, while Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard give the superstars a terrific supporting cast.

There’s also a mental edge that comes from having been there before. This is a core that’s reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 4 of the last 5 seasons, and they’ve been battle-tested against every top contender. That level of experience, combined with the consistency they’ve shown all year, makes them a tough out in any seven-game series. They’re not just better on paper—they’re smarter, more poised, and arguably hungrier than they’ve ever been.

While -150 isn’t the flashiest number, it reflects a realistic probability of Boston steamrolling through the East. With injuries, inconsistency, and matchup issues plaguing other top teams like Milwaukee and Cleveland, the Celtics feel like the safest and smartest bet on the board.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+205)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer flying under the radar. If you’re looking to bet against the Celtics, Cleveland is one of the few teams in the East with a real case to make some noise—and maybe even win the whole thing. While the Cavs don’t have the experience-based pedigree of Boston or Milwaukee, what they do have is a playoff-tested star in Donovan Mitchell, an elite defense, and a best-case scenario path that could see them avoid Boston until the Conference Finals.

Cleveland’s ceiling hinges on Mitchell playing like the alpha scorer he’s shown he can be in past postseasons. When he’s locked in, he gives the Cavs a go-to option who can create his own shot in crunch time—something a lot of teams in the East are still searching for. Add in Darius Garland’s playmaking and the interior dominance of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and you’ve got a balanced team that can score, defend, and wear you down physically.

One underrated advantage? The Cavs actually match up pretty well with both New York and Milwaukee, two teams they could face early in the bracket. And if they do see Boston later, they’ve at least got the tools to bother them: length on the wings, a top-10 defensive rating, and a frontcourt that can protect the rim without fouling. If the Celtics stumble or run into health issues, Cleveland is one of the few teams equipped to capitalize.

At +205, you’re not betting on a miracle—you’re betting on upside. The Cavs have been quietly elite all season, and if Mitchell goes nuclear and the defense holds, Cleveland could be this year’s Eastern Conference surprise.

New York Knicks (+950)

No one’s doubting the New York Knicks anymore. ​Well, except me, I guess.

The Knicks enter the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the No. 3 seed, facing the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons in a first-round matchup. Despite a challenging regular season, the Knicks secured 51 wins, their highest post-COVID performance, and are considered heavy favorites against the upstart Pistons. I’m not quite convinced this should be the case, especially considering Detroit is quietly one of the league’s toughest young teams.

The Knicks’ roster boasts significant playoff experience and talent. That experience could prove to be the difference against the up-and-coming Pistons. Jalen Brunson, known for his postseason performances, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who has had an All-NBA caliber season, lead the team. Additionally, the Knicks have home-court advantage and a deeper lineup, factors that could play a crucial role in the series.

While New York is capable of getting past the Pistons, I’m less convinced they have what it takes to make a run to the NBA Finals. The Knicks boast a terrific starting 5, but their depth is a bit lacking. Plus, New York wasn’t exactly impressive against some of the league’s elite during the regular season. In fact, they finished just 15-23 against teams with winning records, which was quite easily the worst mark of any of the top-6 seeds in either conference.

New York went a combined 0-8 during the regular season against Boston and Cleveland, which is a telling sign. The Knicks were a fun story this season, but I have no reason to believe they can turn it around and topple either of those teams in a playoff series.

Best Eastern Conference Betting Value

The following teams are our NBA picks for the best betting value to win the NBA Eastern Conference:

Indiana Pacers (+2200)

If you’re in the market for chaos—and maybe a little value—don’t overlook the Indiana Pacers in their first-round showdown with Milwaukee. This is not your old-school, grind-it-out Pacers squad. Led by Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana plays at one of the fastest paces in the league and ranks 7th in offensive rating. When they’re clicking, they can hang 130 points on just about anyone, and that’s the kind of volatility that can swing a playoff series.

Haliburton is the engine behind everything. He averaged nearly 10 assists per game during the regular season and gives Indiana one of the most creative offensive hubs in the East. The Pacers surround him with capable scorers like Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and a handful of snipers who can stretch the floor. That balance makes it tough for any opponent, including a Bucks team that’s struggled with perimeter defense, to load up or sell out against any one threat.

Let’s not forget: Milwaukee has limped into the playoffs. Damian Lillard’s health is in question, and the Bucks have looked disjointed just about all year. They’re vulnerable—and Indiana’s brand of speed, spacing, and swagger is exactly the kind of matchup nightmare that can expose that. If the Pacers steal Game 1 or get hot from deep, suddenly a “safe” series could get messy.

At +2200 to win the East, Indiana’s a long shot—but not an unserious one. If they get past Milwaukee, they’ll have the confidence and offensive ceiling to push any contender. It’s easy to forget, but the Pacers advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals just last season.

Milwaukee Bucks (+3500)

The Milwaukee Bucks may be limping into the postseason, but writing them off completely would be a mistake—especially in a matchup where playoff experience, size, and half-court defense still matter. Despite some turbulence, still has the best player on the floor in Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s healthy, rested, and capable of dominating both ends of the floor. If Milwaukee can control the pace and force Indiana into more half-court possessions, they’ll drag the Pacers out of their comfort zone quickly.

Yes, Damian Lillard is out for Game 1 due to a DVT diagnosis, but there’s optimism he could return later in the series. Even a limited Lillard is a game-changer—his shot-making and gravity open up everything for Milwaukee’s offense. In the meantime, the Bucks still have Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis to carry the offensive load and space the floor for Giannis to attack. They’ve also tightened their defensive rotations under Doc Rivers, making them much more equipped to deal with Indiana’s uptempo style.

Milwaukee’s playoff DNA shouldn’t be discounted. This is a core that’s won a championship and knows how to grind out wins in hostile environments. That matters in a close series, especially against a Pacers team that plays fast but hasn’t been tested in the postseason. The Bucks will slow things down, own the glass, and force Indiana to beat them in the half court—where Milwaukee’s defense still ranks among the league’s best when locked in.

Even if they drop Game 1, the Bucks aren’t built to panic. They’re built to adjust. And if Lillard returns by Game 3 or 4, Milwaukee could quickly swing the momentum and remind everyone why they were considered contenders just a few months ago.

You can do worse than a flier on the Bucks at +3500, especially considering we’ve seen Giannis carry this team to a title before.

Top NBA Eastern Conference Longshot

The Detroit Pistons (+15000) were a laughingstock a season ago when they finished with the NBA’s worst record. Nobody’s laughing now, however. Except for the Pistons, who have turned it around in remarkable fashion to clinch a playoff spot this season.

Detroit made a few shrewd offseason moves with additions like Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Few thought much of those acquisitions at the time, but the infusion of veteran talent was sorely needed for a team that previously had one of the league’s youngest rosters. Adding them to the core of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Jaden Ivey has given Pistons fans some hope after things looked awfully rough as recently as a year ago.

Cunningham’s ascent is the main story, and he’ll ultimately determine whether Detroit can make a Cinderella run in these playoffs. The former No. 1 overall pick has had an inconsistent start to his career, but it all came together this season. Cade averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game and earned his first All-Star nod as a result. His combination of size and playmaking makes him an incredibly tough cover for opposing defenders, and scheming to stop him is no easy task.

To say the Knicks will have their hands full with these Pistons is an understatement. I could see this series going the distance, and we know anything can happen in a winner-take-all Game 7. I give the Pistons better than a puncher’s chance of upsetting the Knicks, and all bets will be off if they advance further.

Detroit going all the way to the Finals certainly isn’t a likely outcome, but the +15000 odds on the Pistons to win the Eastern Conference are at least a little alluring.

NBA Eastern Conference Predictions

Boston is still the safe NBA pick. They’ve been the most complete team all season and enter the playoffs with a rested roster and playoff scars from last year’s championship.

Cleveland is the real deal, though. They finished the season with the NBA’s best record and the top offensive rating. That you can get them at +205 reflects the general public’s lack of faith despite the evidence that suggests this team is fully capable of making a run to the Finals.

At this point, I’d much rather grab Cleveland at +205 than settle for Boston at -150. A lot can happen over the course of the Playoffs, and we know injuries can pop up at any time. I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a ticket on the Celtics at -150 before the postseason even begins, especially considering the risk that things could go awry.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers (+205)

NBA Eastern Conference Winners

The following is a list of the most recent NBA Eastern Conference winners: