The only first round NBA Playoff matchups we don’t know are who the Miami Heat and who the Phoenix Suns will play. We won’t know those matchups until Friday night. But although we don’t know which team the top seeds in either conference will step onto the court against, we do know the matchups for the other first round series. See below for analysis and betting predictions for five NBA Playoff 1st-Round Series.

5 Betting Predictions for the 1st-Round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs

#NBAPlayoffs First Round schedule by series ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bC7cY92p8g

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 13, 2022

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Eastern Conference

5-Toronto Raptors vs. 4-Philadelphia 76ers

At first glance, it looks as if James Harden, Joel Embiid and the 76ers should roll the Raptors. But Toronto dominated Philadelphia in the last head-to-head. The key stat in the game was how the Raptors out rebounded Philadelphia.

Philly secured 37 boards while Toronto secured 41. It’s also important to notice rebound distribution. For the 76ers, Embiid grabbed 10 boards. No other player grabbed more than 7.

For Toronto, Paul Siakam had 10 and small forward Scottie Barnes, who started at guard, had 10. Not only that, but guard Gary Trent Jr. scored 30 points. So Harden must decide to box out on Barnes or play Trent Jr.

Embiid and Harden are great, no doubt. But the Raptors may have the better starting five. Toronto wins in 7.

2022 NBA Playoffs Series Pick: Toronto Raptors in 7.

6-Chicago Bulls vs. 3-Milwaukee Bucks

This series doesn’t require as in-depth of an analysis and Raptors versus 76ers. The bottom line in this series is that Milwaukee holds home court advantage, which means if it goes to 7, the Bucks will win.

Why? Chicago plays great at the United Center. They’re not a very good road team. Not only that, but in the last head-to-head, which happened in Chicago, the Bulls fell 127-106.

Seven Milwaukee players scored in double-figures. The Bulls might win a game. A sweep is more likely.

2022 NBA Playoffs Series Pick: Milwaukee Bucks in 4

Western Conference

5-Utah Jazz vs. 4-Dallas Mavericks

Luke Doncic is listed as day-to-day, which means there’s a chance he doesn’t play in this series. But even if Luka must miss the first couple of games, the Jazz are in trouble.

Utah went 4-6 straight up in their final 6 games. The Jazz went 2-7-1 ATS. The only games Utah covered were versus awful Portland and terrible Oklahoma City.

Dallas enters this series having won 8-of-10. The Mavericks covered in 7 of the 8 wins. Dallas is scorching. So even if Luka isn’t one-hundred percent, the Mavs win the series.

2022 NBA Playoffs Series Pick: Dallas Mavericks in 6

7-Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 2-Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are fantastic, yes, but the entire starting five is listed as day-to-day. Even Ja Morant is listed as day-to-day. Even at one-hundred percent, the Grizzlies should have issues versus the T’Wolves. Karl-Anthony Towns shoots a ridiculous 41% from three. Also, everyone agrees that Patrick Beverly is one of the best defenders in pro basketball.

Minnesota beat Memphis 119-114 in the last head-to-head. Beverly held Morant to 20 points, close to 8 points under his average. The Timberwolves have a huge shot to knock out the West’s 2-seed.

2022 NBA Playoffs Series Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves in 6

6-Denver Nuggets vs. 3-Golden State Warriors

Nuggets versus Warriors is another series shaping up in the underdogs’ favor. Golden State may have to play the series without Steph Curry. If Curry doesn’t put on the sneakers, we shouldn’t expect Golden State to make it to the second round.

The Warriors are a solid club, but without their best player, they have no shot versus Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Jokic dominates in every phase of the game. He’ll put a beating onto Golden State. The Warriors win a game or two, but that’s it.

2022 NBA Playoffs Series Pick: Denver Nuggets in 5

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook

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