The Timberwolves look to go 3-0 up against the Nuggs, when the pair take the floor in Minnesota.
The T-Wolves punch the defending champs right in the mouth in games 1 & 2, with elite defence keeping both Jokic and Murray quiet.
I’m expecting now 3x MVP to respond in Game 3, lifting himself and his teammates to the level of basketball we are used to seeing from the Nuggets.
Denver to Cover.
The Celtics rolled the Cavs by 25 points in Game 1, and will be out to do the same again when the pair meet at TD Garden of Friday morning (AEST).
Boston’s biggest strength is in their depth, with multiple scoring options at every position, unlike the Cavs who are completely reliant on Donovan Mitchell putting up ridiculous numbers.
I’m backing the Celts to take care of business at home, winning by a comfortable margin.
Same Game Multi:
Celtics to Cover $1.90
Derrick White Overs Total Points
The Knicks took out Game 1 121-117 in New York, but it could’ve soon easily been a Pacers victory, with the visitors copping a horrible call down the stretch with the scores tied at 115-115.
New York required another massive points haul from Jalen Brunson to get them over the line in Game 1, the star guard put up 43-points including 14/14 from the charity strip.
Four of the Knicks five starters played 42+ minutes last time out, lamenting their total lack of depth.
I’m backing the Pacers to rally in Game 2, covering the +4.5 line on offer.
Same Game Multi:
Myles Turner Over 17.5 Points $1.87
Pacers to Cover $1.87
Multi $3.22
The Cleveland Cavs fought their way back from a 16-point deficit to seal game 7 of their first round playoff series against the Magic.
As a reward, the Cavs get to play competition favourites Boston, who wiped the floor with the Heat, winning the series 4-1.
The Cavs heavily relied on Donovan Mitchell to carry them on the offensive end against Orlando, with the electric guard scoring 89 points across games 6 & 7!
Mitchell will find the going far tougher against the elite defensive guards at Boston’s disposal.
This series should be a cakewalk for the Celts, and I have them covering the -11.5 line in Game 1.
OKC plays host to the Mavs in Game 1 of the pairs’ 2nd round series.
The Thunder comfortably won the regular season series against the Mavs 3-1, winning their two home games by 56 points combined.
The Mavericks eventually eased past the Clippers, be it assisted by an injury to Kawhi Leonard.
I have the Thunder taking care of business at home.
The Pacers travel to New York to take on the Knicks in Game 1 of their 2nd Round Playoff.
The Knicks progressed through to the 2nd round after seeing off the 76ers in six games, with Jalen Brunson averaging 29-4-7 across the series.
Meanwhile, the Pacers saw off a banged up Bucks outfit in six, with Tyrese Halliburton averaging 16-6-9.
Indiana won the regular season series between this pair 2-1, with one of those wins coming at MSG.
I’m backing the underdogs to cover here.
Same Game Multi
Pacers to Cover (+6) $1.90
Myles Turner Over 16.5 Points $1.82
The Timberwolves will be looking to double down on their extraordinary efforts in Game 1 and take a 2-0 lead in this series.
Easier said than done, as 2x MVP Nikola Jokic and co rarely get beaten twice on their home floor.
Minnesota played just about the perfect game in the opener, with Anthony Edwards dropping a post-season career high 43 to help his side to a 7-point victory.
Alternatively, Jamal Murray was kept scoreless in the first half of action, before returning a modest 17 points.
I’m backing the Nuggets to get this series back to level term, winning game 2 by 1-10 points.
The Nuggets host the Timberwolves in the first game of the 2nd round of playoffs.
Minnesota swept the Suns 4-0 to reach this stage, with Anthony Edwards averaging 31-8-6.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets muscled past the Lakers 4-1, with Jokic averaging 28-16-10, while Jamal Murray dominated in the clutch.
Nicola Jokic has cashed in against the Timberwolves this season, averaging 33-12-4 across four games.
The Timberwolves looked good in round 1, but they’re set to run into the defending champs and best player in the league.
I’m taking Denver to cover at home.
MY BETS:
Nuggets (-4.5) $1.92
Jokic Over 50.5 PRS $1.90
Murray Over 6.5 Assists $1.78
McDaniels Over 9.5 Points $1.90
Same Game Multi $8.82
The Mavs play host to the Clippers in Game 6, where they’ll attempt to seal the series win.
Dallas claimed a comprehensive 30-point victory over the Clips in Game 5, with both PG13 and Harden failing to fire in the absence of Kawhi.
Leonard will likely be out again for this one or playing on a banged-up knee.
Luka loves the big occasion, and I think the star guard will end the Clippers season here.
Dallas to Cover.
The Cavs head to Orlando with a chance to wrap up their first round series 4-2.
The Magic have dominated the Cavs in their previous two home fixtures and were unlucky not to steal game 5 in Cleveland, falling short by one point.
This series feels destined to go to a Game 7, I’m taking the Magic to continue their destructive home form.
Orlando to Cover.
The Celtics can wrap up their first round series against the Heat with a win at home here.
Despite dropping game 2, Boston has largely dominated this series, winning games 1 & 3 by 20-point margins and game 4 by 14 points.
The Eastern conference 1 seeds will head into game 5 without the services of Porzingis, who sprained his ankle last time out.
This will see Al Horford move into the starting five, and see a substantial uptake in minutes.
Al has averaged 8-7-2 on 26 minutes across the first four games, I’m expecting him to eclipse those figures here.
The Clippers and the Mavericks head to LA with their series locked at 2-2.
The Clips led Game 4 by 31 points in the 2nd quarter before the Mavs rallied, taking the lead momentarily in the 4th, to no avail, as LA claimed a 5-point victory.
PG13 and Harden put up 33 points each in Game 4, a feat unlikely to be repeated.
While Luka looked far from his best, despite finishing with a 29-point triple-double.
The Mavs have more upside heading into game 5, with Kawhi out injured the Clippers will be asking too much of Harden and Paul George on the Offensive end.
I have the Mavs to cover!
It’s do-or-die for the Sixers as they head to MSG down 3-1 in their first round series against the Knicks.
Despite being 3-1 down, the 76ers have not been embarrassed, with all three of their defeats coming in close contests.
New York have been killing Philly on the boards in recent games, generating a host of 2nd chance scoring opportunities, an area Nick Nurse will have to address.
I’m backing Embiid to have a massive game in the paint here, helping Philly fight to see game 6.
Cavs vs Magic head into game 5 with the series poised at 2-2.
Both sides have taken care of business at home so far, though the Magic has done so in emphatic fashion, winning game 3 by 38-points and game 4 by 23!
It’s hard to imagine Cleveland rebounding from those embarrassing defeats.
I’m backing the confident young Magic core to cover the line as away underdogs.
OKC will be out to complete a sweep of the Pelicans when the pair take to the court in New Orleans.
The Thunder won games 2 and 3 by 20+ points, and look a league above their first round opponents.
Without the services of an injured Zion Williamson, the Pels seem to have tossed in the towel.
I’m backing OKC to move onto the 2nd round of the play-offs completing a 4-0 sweep over the Pels.
Nuggets vs the Lakers returns to Denver, where the reigning champs have the chance to progress through to the 2nd round in five games.
The Lakers last win in Denver cam back in April 2022, losing seven straight since.
LA’s victory in game four came off the back of 20+ point performances from both Russell and Reaves, a pair which have been wildly inconsistent in the post-season.
The Nuggets are a different beast in Denver and I’m backing them to pick apart this Lakers outfit piece by piece until there’s nothing left.