Top 5 NBA Playoffs Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (5/12)
As we enter into the second round of the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs, we will be breaking down the two contests across the association this evening. Let's not waste any more time and jump right into some of our favorite picks for May 12.
Monday’s Top 5 NBA Playoff Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Boston Celtics First Half -3.5 (-105)
We kick things off in New York, where the Knicks have opened the series with a 2-1 lead against the defending champion Celtics. Boston returned to form over the weekend, and very quickly dispatched any confidence the Knicks had of going up 3-0.
As for the next contest in this series, there may be an overlooked selection that we can benefit from. The Celtics have lead at halftime in each of the first three games of this series, despite being down 2-1. Boston has held a lead of at least nine points going into the third quarter, and are averaging a 16.6-point advantage at halftime over three games.
New York will most certainly look to come out of the proverbial gate swinging in response to Saturday. Having said that, the first half has been tough on the Knicks in this series, and we expect Boston to have a four-point lead or more after 24 minutes of play.
Derrick White 25 Points + Rebounds (+165)
Derrick White has been one of the only consistent contributors during the second round of playoff basketball for the Boston Celtics. The Boston guard is averaging 18.8 points, with 8.3 rebounds over the first three games of the current series, and is knocking down 3.7 three-pointers in the process.
While the 40% field-goal percentage leaves a bit to be desired, the average of 15 attempts through three contests is certainly something to get exited about. While Kristaps Porzingis has been dealing with an illness, and playing sparingly, White has proven to be a solid source of offensive, and rebounding production.
The increase in opportunity has resulted in two out of three contests where White has reached 25+ points + rebounds. The veteran guard is averaging 17.8 points, with 8.4 rebounds in the last five games against New York.
Jayson Tatum Race to Two Three-Pointers (+300)
This will be our wildcard selection for tonight, yet, there are a few facets that make this less of a long-shot as it seems. After two abysmal games where the Boston superstar connected on a mere 5-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc, Tatum made five-of-nine baskets from deep against NY on Saturday.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 1.3 three-pointers in the first quarter against the Knicks in three games. The forward for the Celtics has played the most first quarter minutes this series with 11.1 per game. Tatum has attempted an average of 5.7 shots in the first quarter in the previous three contests against NY.
While there are about six options for this selection between the two teams, we feel Tatum has a fantastic opportunity to be the first player in this contest to reach the two three-point threshold.
Julius Randle Over 20.5 Points (-110)
Julius Randle has been a nightmare to contain over the last two games against Golden State. The veteran forward is connecting on 50% of 40 attempts taken over that span, while scoring 24 in both contests. The Warriors seemingly do not have an answer for Randle currently, and we will try to exploit that one more time tonight with this point prop.
Through the eight games played this post-season, Randle is putting up 22.8 points, on 47% shooting. In four of those contests, the field-goal percentage was over 50%. The forward for the Timberwolves has scored at least 21 points or more in all but two-of-eight games played.
Golden State is the key to our success. As long as they can keep this contest close going into the fourth quarter, Randle should be on the floor for at least 36+ minutes, where he is averaging 22.0 points this season.
Naz Reid has now played in five consecutive games where he has made three or more baskets from beyond the arc against Golden State. While it's obviously going to be more beneficial to take the opposite or lower end of such a unsustainable streak, Reid has earned our confidence in this contest.
The spark off the bench for Minnesota has connected on at least three baskets from behind the perimeter in 9-of-20 games, and is connecting on 39.6% over that span.
Reid efficiently made all three attempts in Game 3. A repeat of such perfection is typically not to be expected for a second time. However, the 15 total combined attempts in the first two contests of the series is promising. In the four previous contests against the Warriors, the Minnesota forward made no fewer than seven attempts.
Enjoy the games tonight, and best of luck with your picks!