NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Championship Odds, Bracket Picture and Predictions

At long last, the 2016 NBA Playoffs are underway. The first round is usually viewed as dull and uneventful, but this year’s opening act has provided us with plenty of intrigue. 

Steph Curry missed the second and third games against the Houston Rockets, and the Rockets were able to steal a win in his absence. But as Marc Stein of ESPN reports, Curry should be ready to go for Sunday’s Game 4.

The Warriors just listed Steph Curry as officially “probable” for Sunday’s Game 4

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 23, 2016

There’s also been some excitement in the East, where the seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers are all knotted up with the second-seeded Toronto Raptors at two games apiece. The Pacers thrashed the Raptors in Game 4 at home, taking a 100-83 victory. The Pacers held the Raptors to just 36.5 percent shooting in that game. 

But one of the most pleasant surprises has been the Charlotte Hornets. Yes, the Hornets are down in the series 2-1 to the Miami Heat, but that one win was the franchise’s first playoff win in 14 years. As ESPN Stats and Info notes, the Hornets were trotting out some names you haven’t heard in a while the last time they won a playoff game.

Hornets snap 12-game playoff losing streak for 1st win since 2002.Box score to last win: https://t.co/HXumScphu5 pic.twitter.com/EwXjf7EY17

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2016

Here’s a look at the updated playoff bracket, courtesy of NBA.com.

Curry being hobbled by a bum ankle hasn’t changed the minds of oddsmakers much. The Dubs are still the runaway favorite to win the title. Here’s a look at the title odds for a few of the teams. You can find the full list at Odds Shark.

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