Top NBA Playoffs Odds & Picks for Tuesday, May 3 (2022)
We’re onto the second game in the semifinals for each side of the bracket. Tonight, we’ll see if the Boston Celtics can even the series against the Milwaukee Bucks and if the Memphis Grizzlies can sneak a home win against the Golden State Warriors.
Our picks and predictions are below for both games on May 3.
(Odds courtesy DraftKings)
Bucks vs. Celtics
The Boston Celtics will not want to go down 2-0 on their home floor against the Milwaukee Bucks. While this game isn’t a must-win for the Celtics, it will be essential. If the former champions steal both games on the road against the Celtics, this series will be close to over before it starts.
It’s going to take a lot out of this Boston team, but let’s not forget, the Celtics are still 4-1 in the playoffs and haven’t had to worry about a bounce-back performance.
The Celtics need to figure out a better way to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 24 points, earned 13 rebounds, and assisted on 12 baskets. Antetokounmpo has a bit more muscle than Kevin Durant does, and now the Celtics need to adjust.
Meanwhile, Boston shot just 33.3% from the floor in the first game of the series. That’s unlikely to continue into this game, and the Celtics aren’t going to consistently shoot that poorly inside the arc.
Boston was able to stick around in Game 1 due to points off turnovers. The Celtics were quick to the hoop off a Milwaukee mistake, earning 27 points. Meanwhile, on Boston’s mistakes, Milwaukee slowed it down and scored just six points off turnovers.
You can expect this game to be closer and expect the Celtics to even up the series at one. There’s no way the Celtics will shoot as poorly as they did in Game 1 at home.
Bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Warriors vs. Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies had the most impressive season in the NBA. However, this team just might be too young to get by a veteran-led Golden State Warriors. The Grizzlies ended up losing 117-116 in the first game of the semifinals and ultimately covered the spread.
But with Draymond Green expected to be back in the lineup without any suspension, the Warriors now get an all-star back in the lineup down the stretch for Game 2.
The Grizzlies still shot 40% from three, knocked down 43.2% of shots, and ended up losing the game to the Warriors. Golden State won on the glass, earned more assists but ended up missing more foul shots than Memphis.
Ultimately, the Warriors had more success in the paint, scoring 12 more points. The foul shooting should correct itself, and the Warriors will always be one of the better shooting teams in the NBA.
With that said, I’ll be riding the Warriors against the spread in tonight’s game against the Grizzlies. It’s hard to win road games as a young team. They had their chance in Game 1 but didn’t finish. Now the Warriors will run away with Game 2.
Bet: Warriors (-130 at DraftKings)
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