NBA Playoffs Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (5/6)
We’ve already had three massive upsets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Will there be more tonight? I’ve added NBA best bets for both games on tonight’s slate below. Here are our top NBA playoffs picks and predictions for Tuesday’s games.
Tuesday’s Best NBA Bets: Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Indiana Pacers surprised the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of this second-round series, earning a 121-112 win. Ultimately, the Pacers shot 53% on the road and nailed 52.8% from downtown to get the win. Indiana still turned the ball over 17 times and conceded 22 points off turnovers. However, the Pacers still added six more defensive rebounds and held the Cavaliers to 45.9% from the field.
Darius Garland didn’t play in that game due to a toe injury. He’s still questionable for tonight’s game. In addition to Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter are also game-time decisions with injuries they suffered in Game 1.
In the playoffs, the Pacers have scored 119.9 points per 100 possessions. They’ve also limited turnovers to 11.9% and have shot a 59.2% effective field goal percentage. In the postseason, Cleveland has forced 17.1% of turnovers and has allowed only 24.4% of offensive rebounds. Yet, the Cavaliers still gave up a 56.8% effective field goal percentage. The Pacers certainly need to limit turnovers, but they’re very capable of doing so. We saw it in the first-round playoff series against the Bucks.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers have scored 132.9 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs. They’ve done even better, limiting turnovers to only 9.3% so far in the playoffs. In addition, the Cavaliers have shot a 60.1% effective field goal percentage and have gotten to the foul line more in the postseason. However, like the Cavaliers, the Pacers have also limited opportunities on the offensive glass in the playoffs.
After Game 1, it’s pretty evident that this will be a competitive series. With three key players injured and questionable, I’ll ride the Pacers at +8.5 (+100) in Game 2.
Pick: Pacers +8.5 (+100)
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves earned a first-round series win in five games against the Los Angeles Lakers. The defense limited the Lakers to no more than 104 points in all but one game in that series. Ultimately, the Lakers didn’t even get to 100 points in three of those five games. Minnesota held Los Angeles to 109.8 points per 100 possessions and added 16% of turnovers, with only 24.3% of offensive rebounds. The Lakers didn’t have a center to help on the glass, and the Warriors don’t either.
Golden State has added just 27.8% of offensive rebounds in the playoffs, including the play-in game. They’re not a major threat on the glass, either.
In fact, the Warriors have shot just a 52.4% effective field goal percentage, which is inefficient. The Rockets were an elite defense, but so is Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves grabbed 35.8% of offensive rebounds and earned a 21.3 free-throw rate against the Lakers. Minnesota never shot the ball well in this series, but still scored 118.8 points per 100 possessions due to low turnovers, high offensive rebounds, and plenty of free-throw attempts. Ultimately, Minnesota should win the glass relatively easily in this series behind Rudy Gobert.
Don’t expect either team to shoot well from the floor, either. However, the Timberwolves will likely get to the foul line more in this series.
Therefore, I’m backing the T-Wolves at -6.5 to begin this second-round series.
Pick: Timberwolves -6.5 (-115)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday: