As we dive deeper into the NBA playoffs, momentum is everything. Teams are turning up the intensity, rotations are tightening, and every possession matters more. For bettors, this means understanding trends and adjusting strategies as the playoff landscape evolves. Underdogs can surprise, but top-seeded teams are showing why they earned their ranking—making it trickier to cash in on big spreads.
Yesterday was a reminder of just how dominant top-tier teams can be in the postseason. We went 0-for-2 on the day as both underdogs failed to cover.
Orlando Magic +13 @ Boston Celtics – The Celtics took care of business, beating the Magic 103-86. Derrick White led the charge with 30 points, and although Jayson Tatum had a scary fall late in the game, Boston had full control throughout. The 17-point loss means Orlando couldn’t cover the 13-point spread.
Miami Heat +12.5 at Cleveland Cavaliers – Cleveland came out hot and never let up. Donovan Mitchell poured in 30 points, with Ty Jerome adding 28 off the bench. The Cavs never trailed and cruised to a 121-100 win, covering easily.
Now let’s move on to today’s two picks:
Detroit Pistons +6 @ New York Knicks
We like the Pistons to cover on the road. The Knicks lead the series 1-0, but Detroit has quietly become one of the better ATS teams against Atlantic Division opponents, going 8-1 in their last 9 games in that spot. Meanwhile, New York is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 against Eastern Conference teams, but this could be a tight one with Detroit playing tough defense and gritty basketball.
LA Clippers -1.5 at Denver Nuggets
We’re backing the Clippers to cover on the road. They trail the series 0-1, but L.A. has been solid ATS lately, going 14-4 in their last 18 overall and 5-2 in their last 7 against the Nuggets. With adjustments likely and urgency on their side, the Clippers should come out aggressive.
Final Thoughts:
These NBA bets are backed by strong trends and favorable matchups, making them worth considering for your wagers. Whether you’re placing bets on FanDuel, DraftKings, PrizePicks, Underdog, Sleeper, or BetMGM, these plays have solid value based on recent performances. As always, bet responsibly and enjoy the action!
