NBA playoff series odds: Doncic, Curry injuries loom over 1st-round matchups

While the NBA postseason field won't be fully determined until after this week's play-in tournament, we know the opening odds for four of the eight playoff series set to tip off this weekend. And injuries are already shaping the early pricing for this year's field.

Two of the four favorites in Round 1 are laying -300 or shorter, in part because of injuries to key players on the other side. Here are the opening odds for the four playoff series already determined, courtesy of theScore Bet, and what to know about each.

No. 3 Bucks (-1200) vs. No. 6 Bulls (+750)

It's unlikely that any casual bettor - or any bettor, period - is looking to lay the -1200 price on the favored Bucks. Still, it's hard to see what the Bulls have become down the stretch and have any confidence backing the underdogs, especially with Lonzo Ball (knee) ruled out for the postseason.

Chicago was one of the NBA's best teams per advanced metrics before Ball's final game Jan. 14, and it treaded water until the All-Star break. But the wheels have come off. Only the Trail Blazers (-21.3) and Thunder (-11.3) own a worse net rating since the break than the Bulls (-7.1), who have lost 15 of 23 games and should pose little threat to Milwaukee in Round 1.

No. 4 76ers (-180) vs. No. 5 Raptors (+150)

Framing this as the 76ers' two stars vs. the Raptors' cast of almost-stars is a bit too reductive considering that Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet each have an All-Star appearance on their respective resumes. But when one team is a title favorite and the other is a long shot, it's surprising to see this series priced so closely.

The narrative that the Sixers have disappointed with the James Harden and Joel Embiid pairing doesn't quite match the reality. Since acquiring the former at the trade deadline, Philadelphia ranks in the top five in net rating (plus-5.2) with a 14-7 record when both superstars are active. Still, don't completely dismiss Toronto, which enters this series having won eight of its last 10 and has the length to bother Harden along the perimeter.

No. 3 Warriors (-220) vs. No. 6 Nuggets (+180)

It wasn't all that long ago that the Warriors looked like the best team in the NBA, and a top-two seed in the West looked like a near-certainty. Then Stephen Curry (foot) was sidelined with an injury that precipitated a 6-7 finish over Golden State's final 13 games.

He should be back for Saturday's opener, but will this team kick into gear immediately upon his return? And what can we expect from the Nuggets, who will likely have to charge ahead without Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back) after early optimism that they might return? We've seen Nikola Jokic reach a new level in his quest for back-to-back MVP honors, so don't be shocked if his on-court brilliance makes this a compelling series.

No. 4 Mavericks (+240) vs. No. 5 Jazz (-300)

This series was the last one posted on the oddsboard and is the only one featuring a lower seed as the favorite - both due to the uncertain status of Mavericks star Luka Doncic (calf), who hobbled off the court in Dallas' regular-season finale and has "no timetable" for his return.

That's clearly concerning for anyone looking to back the Mavericks in this series, as Doncic owns the NBA's highest usage rate (37.4%) and was among the only bright spots in the team's first-round exit a year ago. If he's available, he could pose issues for a Jazz team that faltered down the stretch and has historically struggled come playoff time. If he's not, the Mavericks simply aren't built to advance.

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].