About NBA Conference
The NBA Conference Finals are the penultimate round of the NBA playoffs, featuring the top two teams from each conference. The NBA is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.
After the earlier rounds of the playoffs, which include the First Round and the Conference Semifinals, the remaining four teams, two from each conference, advance to the Conference Finals. The NBA Conference Finals are about to begin, and the stage is set for greatness.
NBA Conferences Finals Overview
In the NBA Conference finals,the Eastern Conference teams compete against each other in the regular season to earn a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs while the Western Conference compete against each other in the regular season to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
The NBA playoffs feature the top eight teams from each conference, determined by their win-loss records. These teams compete in the conference playoffs to determine the conference champions. The winners of each conference then advance to the NBA Finals, where they vie for the ultimate prize of becoming the league champions.
The Conference Finals in the NBA follow a 2-2-1-1-1 format, meaning that the higher-seeded team in the regular season will host games 1, 2, 5, and 7 in their homecourt, while the lower-seeded team will host games 3, 4, and 6 in their home. This format has been used consistently since the 1985 NBA playoffs. The team that wins their respective Conference Finals advances to the NBA Finals to compete for the NBA Championship.
NBA Conferences Finals History
During the 2022 Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic. With Stephen Curry as their top scorer, the Warriors dominated the series, winning four out of five games and securing their spot in the NBA Finals.
While, the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat battled it out in the Eastern Conference Finals. With Jayson Tatum leading the way, the Celtics emerged victorious after six hard-fought games, earning their spot in the NBA Finals. In the championship round, they were against the Golden State Warriors, who had become the Western Conference champions.
NBA Conferences Finals type
The NBA is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference consists of 15 teams, making a total of 30 teams in the league.
Each conference in the NBA is further divided into three divisions, resulting in a total of six divisions in the league. These divisions help organize teams geographically and add an additional layer of competition within the conference.
NBA Western Conference:
Northwest division:
Denver Nuggets |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
Portland Trail Blazers |
Utah Jazz |
Pacific division:
Los Angeles Clippers |
Golden State Warriors |
Los Angeles Lakers |
Phoenix Suns |
Sacramento Kings |
Southwest division:
Dallas Mavericks |
Houston Rockets |
Memphis Grizzlies |
New Orleans Pelicans |
San Antonio Spurs |
NBA Eastern Conference:
Atlantic division:
Boston Celtics |
Brooklyn Nets |
New York Knicks |
Philadelphia 76ers |
Toronto Raptors |
Central division:
Chicago Bulls |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
Detroit Pistons |
Indiana Pacers |
Milwaukee Bucks |
Southeast division:
Atlanta Hawks |
Charlotte Hornets |
Miami Heat |
Orlando Magic |
Washington Wizards |
NBA Conferences Finals Odds
NBA Conference Finals odds refer to the probability or chances assigned to each team participating in the Conference Finals to win the series and advance to the NBA Finals. These odds are determined by sportsbooks and betting experts based on various factors such as team performance, player statistics, injuries, and other relevant information.
Team | Odds |
Boston Celtics | +105 |
Denver Nuggets | +230 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +300 |
Miami Heat | +1600 |
Teams in NBA Conferences Finals 2023
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
In a crucial matchup to reach the NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum, a star player for the Boston Celtics and a member of the All-NBA first team in 2023 and his team, will be facing off against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Tatum, the leading scorer for the Celtics, showcased a 51 points skillful game in their recent victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers
This season, the Denver Nuggets, with Nikola Jokic as their leader, have earned the top seed in their conference. They will be facing the Los Angeles Lakers, who have traditionally had the upper hand in their previous faceoffs. Even though the Lakers have a history of winning series against the Nuggets, the Nuggets are fully prepared to present a tough challenge and a strong fight.
NBA Conferences Predictions 2023
Eastern Conference -
In their playoff history, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have faced each other 30 times, with the Heat winning 16 series and the Celtics winning 14. Their most recent playoff encounter occurred in the 2020 Eastern Conference finals, where the Miami Heat emerged victorious in six games, securing their spot in the NBA Finals while eliminating the Boston Celtics.
Although the Miami Heat have a history of winning more series, the Boston Celtics are well-prepared to give them a tough challenge. The Celtics’ deadly duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who are currently in their prime and excel at scoring. As a result, it seems likely that the Celtics will once again secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
Western Conference -
Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers have met in the playoffs 7 times, with the Lakers winning all 7 series. The most recent playoff matchup between the two teams was in the 2020 western conference. The Lakers won the series by 4-1. The LA Lakers have the historical advantage in their head-to-head matchups.
The Lakers will start with their star players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and De’Angelo Russell while the Nuggets will have their most formidable pick-and-roll duos, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Though, the Denver Nuggets have secured the top seed in their conference this season, the Los Angeles Lakers, will make it to the NBA finals according to the stats.
NBA Conferences Standings 2023
Eastern Conference Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | HOME | AWAY | L10 | STRK |
1Milwaukee Bucks | 59 | 28 | .678 | - | 117.0 | 113.9 | +3.1 | 33-11 | 26-17 | 4-6 | L3 |
2Boston Celtics | 65 | 30 | .684 | -2.0 | 117.6 | 111.0 | +6.6 | 36-12 | 29-18 | 6-4 | W2 |
3Philadelphia 76ers | 61 | 32 | .656 | 1.0 | 113.7 | 110.1 | +3.6 | 32-14 | 29-18 | 6-4 | L2 |
4Cleveland Cavaliers | 52 | 35 | .598 | 7.0 | 111.2 | 106.5 | +4.7 | 32-12 | 20-23 | 4-6 | L3 |
5New York Knicks | 53 | 40 | .570 | 9.0 | 114.1 | 111.5 | +2.6 | 27-19 | 26-21 | 5-5 | L1 |
6Brooklyn Nets | 45 | 41 | .523 | 13.5 | 112.4 | 112.1 | +0.3 | 23-20 | 22-21 | 4-6 | L5 |
7Atlanta Hawks | 44 | 45 | .494 | 16.0 | 118.2 | 118.2 | 0.0 | 25-19 | 19-26 | 4-6 | L1 |
8Miami Heat | 53 | 42 | .558 | 10.0 | 109.8 | 109.5 | +0.3 | 33-15 | 20-27 | 7-3 | W1 |
9Toronto Raptors | 41 | 42 | .494 | 16.0 | 112.8 | 111.3 | +1.5 | 27-15 | 14-27 | 6-4 | L1 |
10Chicago Bulls | 41 | 43 | .488 | 16.5 | 112.8 | 111.6 | +1.2 | 22-19 | 19-24 | 5-5 | L1 |
11Indiana Pacers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 21.5 | 116.3 | 119.5 | -3.2 | 20-21 | 15-26 | 3-7 | W1 |
12Washington Wizards | 35 | 47 | .427 | 21.5 | 113.2 | 114.4 | -1.2 | 19-22 | 16-25 | 3-7 | L1 |
13Orlando Magic | 34 | 48 | .415 | 22.5 | 111.4 | 114.0 | -2.6 | 20-21 | 14-27 | 5-5 | L4 |
14Charlotte Hornets | 27 | 55 | .329 | 29.5 | 111.0 | 117.2 | -6.2 | 13-28 | 14-27 | 5-5 | W1 |
15Detroit Pistons | 17 | 65 | .207 | 39.5 | 110.3 | 118.5 | -8.2 | 9-32 | 8-33 | 1-9 | L1 |
Western Conference Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | HOME | AWAY | L10 | STRK |
1Denver Nuggets | 61 | 32 | .656 | - | 115.8 | 111.8 | +4.0 | 40-7 | 21-25 | 7-3 | W2 |
2Memphis Grizzlies | 53 | 35 | .602 | 5.5 | 116.1 | 112.9 | +3.2 | 37-7 | 16-28 | 4-6 | L1 |
3Sacramento Kings | 51 | 38 | .573 | 8.0 | 120.2 | 117.9 | +2.3 | 25-20 | 26-18 | 3-7 | L1 |
4Phoenix Suns | 51 | 42 | .548 | 10.0 | 113.7 | 112.2 | +1.5 | 32-15 | 19-27 | 6-4 | L2 |
5Los Angeles Clippers | 45 | 42 | .517 | 13.0 | 113.7 | 113.6 | +0.1 | 23-20 | 22-22 | 4-6 | L4 |
6Golden State Warriors | 50 | 45 | .526 | 12.0 | 118.1 | 116.6 | +1.5 | 37-10 | 13-35 | 5-5 | L1 |
7Los Angeles Lakers | 52 | 43 | .547 | 10.0 | 116.5 | 115.3 | +1.2 | 30-18 | 22-25 | 7-3 | W1 |
8Minnesota Timberwolves | 44 | 45 | .494 | 15.0 | 115.1 | 115.4 | -0.3 | 24-20 | 20-25 | 5-5 | L1 |
9New Orleans Pelicans | 42 | 41 | .506 | 14.0 | 114.4 | 112.6 | +1.8 | 27-15 | 15-26 | 6-4 | L2 |
10Oklahoma City Thunder | 41 | 43 | .488 | 15.5 | 117.3 | 116.5 | +0.8 | 24-17 | 17-26 | 5-5 | L1 |
11Dallas Mavericks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 17.5 | 114.2 | 114.1 | +0.1 | 23-18 | 15-26 | 2-8 | L2 |
12Utah Jazz | 37 | 45 | .451 | 18.5 | 117.1 | 118.0 | -0.9 | 23-18 | 14-27 | 2-8 | L1 |
13Portland Trail Blazers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 22.5 | 113.4 | 117.4 | -4.0 | 17-24 | 16-25 | 1-9 | L4 |
14Houston Rockets | 22 | 60 | .268 | 33.5 | 110.7 | 118.6 | -7.9 | 14-27 | 8-33 | 4-6 | W3 |
15San Antonio Spurs | 22 | 60 | .268 | 33.5 | 113.0 | 123.1 | -10.1 | 14-27 | 8-33 | 3-7 | W1 |
Where to watch NBA Conference Finals
The Conference finals are broadcasted on several networks, including ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV, or if you have a cable and satellite TV connection you will have access to the game.