Top 10 NBA Matches of the 2024 Playoffs

With the NBA 2024 Playoffs Finals quickly approaching, we should take a step back and have a quick look at the top 10 NBA matches that have been played so far during this competition. Being aware of what happened in those matches could help you to better predict the result of the Finals.

Some of the playoff matches were fun to watch because they pushed both teams to their limit. Others were masterclasses in which one of the teams defeated the other without dropping a single game. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the basketball betting odds provided for the NBA Final, this analysis will help a lot.

1. Thunder vs. Pelicans: 4 – 0

This match was expected to favor Oklahoma City because of their regular season performance. They finished 1st in the Western Conference, while the New Orleans Pelicans were not even in the top five. But few people expected a clean 4 – 0.

The 1st and the 4th games were tense. In the other two, OKC had no problems. 

2. Timberwolves vs. Suns: 4 – 0

This was another example of a perfectly executed strategy that takes into account all attempts to change the pace of the game. The Minnesota Timberwolves were supposed to have a small advantage over the Suns but certainly not to win game 1 at a 25-point difference.

The Suns made some progress with every passing game, but it wasn’t enough to help them score even a single win. 

3. Clippers vs. Mavericks: 2 – 4

This was the Mavericks’ first victory of the playoffs and it established a pattern of resilience for them. Game 1 was lost but the defeat was quickly followed by two victories. Then another loss. At the score of 2 – 2, the Mavericks used all of the intel they had gathered about the Clippers and changed their strategy just enough to win the next two games.

4. Thunder vs. Mavericks: 2 – 4

The Mavericks won this series exactly the same way they won the first. From being one game behind, they gained the lead and then lost it. But in the 5th and 6th games of the match, they proved to be one step ahead of their opponents.

This victory was particularly impressive because Oklahoma City Thunder was the number one team in the Western Conference. With this result, the Mavericks could be confident that their chances of qualifying for the playoff Finals were high.

5. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets: 4 – 3

In this series, we had the opportunity to watch two teams who were both energized while competing in front of their home fans. The Timberwolves won the first two games at home and then the Nuggets did the same when it was their turn to impress their audience.

Thanks to Nikola Jokic’s excellent performance, the Nuggets were eventually able to win.

6. Cavaliers vs. Magic: 4 – 3

For the Cavaliers, who finished the Eastern Conference in 4th place, this match against Orlando Magic was a difficult test. In the first two games, they won with ease despite playing away from home. But in the next two games, they lost badly, at a difference of around 20 points.

Game 5 gave them the morale boost they needed. The score was 103 – 104 in their favor and everyone on their side was understandably relieved. But, in game 6, they lost again. The series was decided in front of Magic’s fans, who were no doubt disappointed by the defeat.

7. Pacers vs. Knicks: 4 – 3

This series was another proof that in the NBA playoffs, winning the first two series doesn’t guarantee victory. The Knicks did just that, away from home, and ended up losing their advantage immediately. Then, in the games that followed, they proved to be very inconsistent, going from dominant wins to humiliating defeats. In the end, they lost the series 4 – 3.

8. Celtics vs. Heat: 4 – 1

The Celtics started their playoff run with an easy match against Miami Heat. The score was 1 – 1 after the first two games. But starting with the third, there was only one team on the pitch.

9. Celtics vs. Cavaliers: 4 – 1

This was another great victory for Boston. Just as before, the series went from 1 – 1 to 4 – 1 very quickly.

10. Celtics vs. Pacers: 4 – 0

This match was much harder than the score suggests. The Indiana Pacers made the Celtics work really hard for the win, with a performance worthy of the Paris Olympics. The scores were close in three of the four games.