The NBA Playoffs resume with a trio of critical Game 5s today — Wednesday, April 29. Our staff of betting experts dug into the latest NBA odds and identified best bets for all three of tonight's matchups — including picks for Magic vs. Pistons, Raptors vs. Cavaliers, and Rockets vs. Lakers.
Continue below for our NBA best bets, picks and predictions for Wednesday's playoff games.
NBA Picks, Predictions: Wednesday, April 29
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Magic vs. Pistons Prop Bet
The Magic have a clear defensive mandate right now: they are daring Detroit to throw the ball into the paint and get Jalen Duren involved, but they’re making the cost of entry impossible.
Orlando is shading all of their coverage toward Duren—they’ll leave Duncan Robinson or Ausar Thompson wide open on the perimeter just to keep an extra body on him. The Magic are essentially acting as a magnet to Duren in the paint, which is why we’re seeing so many deflections.
Even when the Pistons get the ball to him, Wendell Carter Jr. has been doing a phenomenal job contesting every layup and dunk.
This scheme is also why Cade Cunningham’s numbers have plummeted; they are disrupting that entry pass so effectively that Cade’s assists are down and his turnovers are up.
Jalen Suggs is a huge part of that recovery defense—he was a +17 in Game 4 despite making only one shot. That tells you everything you need to know about how they’re containing Duren.
Duren hasn’t come close to hitting this over yet in this series. Now, the Pistons backs are against the wall in a closeout game. We saw Duren seeding key minutes to Isaiah Stewart in Game 4.
I'll take Duren Under 25.5 Points & Rebounds in Game 5 tonight.
Pick: Jalen Duren Under 25.5 Points & Rebounds (-115)
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Raptors vs. Cavaliers Player Prop
When Donovan Mitchell is at home in the postseason, he is a completely different beast. The numbers here are just stupid.
Mitchell has already dropped 30 points in both home games this series. Looking at his entire career with Cleveland, he has played 15 home playoff games—he’s scored 30 or more in 12 of them and at least 28 in 13 of them.
But, there’s a specific situational trend I love: when the Cavs come back home after being on the road in a series, Mitchell is 5-for-5 clearing 26.5 and 27.5. We’re talking 35 against Indy, 33 against Boston, and that legendary 39-point performance in Game 7 against Orlando. It seems like he alawys crushes in this exact spot.
Last game was a disgusting, 2006-style defensive struggle. I actually loved how gritty it was, but Donovan was lackluster, and I’d be stunned if he put up back-to-back duds.
This is a "You Better Not Lose This Game" spot. This Cleveland core has been together for four playoff runs now; they cannot afford to head back to Toronto down 3-2.
This is the moment where Mitchell says, "I’m playing 40 minutes, give me the basketball and let me handle this."
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 Points (-120)
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Rockets vs. Lakers Moneyline Pick
I really feel like Houston found something lately; the Rockets seem to be playing better team-basketball without Kevin Durant. It’s not just the "here, Kevin, go figure it out" offense anymore.
Amen Thompson was great in Game 4—the guy is easily one of the most athletic players in the NBA. When the offense flows through Alperen Sengun, it’s as smooth as it gets for a team that’s traditionally struggled on that end. You let Reed Sheppard hunt his threes, and suddenly there’s actually high-level offensive basketball happening.
But the real edge is the defense—Houston is worlds better than the Lakers right now at the defensive end. Look at that LA starting five: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Luke Kennard. Is there a worse lineup left in the playoffs? LeBron is 40. He can still give you a vintage performance, but you saw the bottom fall out in Game 4.
The data is damning: when LeBron isn't on the court, that specific lineup is -35.
It’s simple: either LeBron turns back the clock and plays like a god, or the Lakers are cooked. I’m not banking on a 40-year-old carrying that weight game after game against a desperate Rockets team that finally found its identity.
I know Shams is reporting Austin Reaves is optimistic to return. I don't love that for our side, but I’ll still take the Rockets Moneyline (+150) for a half-unit in Game 5 tonight.
Pick: Rockets Moneyline (+150)
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