The second round of the NBA playoffs resumes with a pair of pivotal Game 2s today—Thursday, May 7. Our staff of betting experts dug into the latest NBA odds and identified a total of four best bets for tonight's games—including picks for Cavaliers vs. Pistons and Lakers vs. Thunder.
Continue below for our NBA picks, predictions, and best bets for Thursday's playoff games.
NBA Picks, Predictions: Thursday, May 7
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
| 9:30 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. | ||
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prop Bet
I was a little bit worried about Donovan Mitchell after the Cavaliers' first-round series against Toronto. He looked miserable, exhausted, and I wondered if there was some type of conditioning or injury issue, because he just couldn't get open.
But, Game 1 against Detroit looked totally different. Even though he finished with a relatively quiet 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, he looked like himself again. He was dancing, he was moving, and there was finally space.
The difference here is the scheme. Toronto junked everything up with double-teams and long wings to get the ball out of his hands. Detroit, on the other hand, wants to beat you with their honest defense. The Pistons have a bunch of great defenders, but they play you straight up—and that is exactly what Mitchell beats.
I don't have much interest in the 24.5 baseline. When Mitchell goes off in the playoffs, he goes OFF. That’s why we’re playing the escalator on FanDuel:
- 30+ Points (+255)
- 35+ Points (+630)
- 40+ Points (+1500)
Mitchell is averaging 29.3 PPG against the Pistons this season and dropped 30 and 35 in their regular season meetings. If he has a 37-point explosion tonight, his average is right back where it belongs.
I also like him to be the Game 2 Points Leader (+234 at DraftKings); Cade Cunningham is the only other threat, and his efficiency has been down.
You can get Mitchell to average 28 PPG (+500) or 30 PPG (+1100) for the series at DK as well. He’s hit 28 PPG in three of his last six series.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell 30+ Points (+255) / 35+ Points (+630) / 40+ Points (+1500)
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Lakers vs. Thunder Spread Pick
By Matt Moore
I’m going to keep this short and sweet: until the Thunder stop absolutely destroying teams and spreads, I’m going to keep backing them, especially at home.
The Lakers hung around for a while in Game 1 but ultimately couldn’t get inside the number. That is highly meaningful.
Los Angeles exhausted their "good" range of outcomes—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his worst shooting game in months and Jalen Williams didn't even play—and they still lost by 18 points.
I cannot find a single schematic reason to believe the Lakers’ prospects change for the full 48 minutes in Game 2.
If you are looking for a tactical angle, you might consider the Lakers 1H Moneyline.
Much like we saw with the Sixers in New York, it is historically a strong spot to back a road 'dog in the first quarter or half after a blowout loss of 15+ points. It's a pride play.
However, the Thunder eventually decide when the game is over. At some point, they will break loose, and once they do, it’s lights out. OKC is as close to unstoppable as you are going to find in this postseason.
Pick: Thunder -15.5 (-110)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons Player Prop
One of the biggest takeaways from the series opener was just how comfortable the Pistons have become with letting Ausar Thompson initiate the offense.
This isn't just about half-court sets; it’s about that grab-and-go mentality. When Ausar rips a defensive board, he doesn't look for a guard—he just starts. He gets down the floor so fast that defenders simply can't track him as he crosses mid-court.
Thompson's speed creates impossible choices for the Cavs' defense: do you stop the ball, or do you stay home on the shooters? Usually, he’s either finding an open man on the perimeter or feeding a rim-runner like Jalen Duren. These transition opportunities are going to be a headache for Cleveland all series long—and he has now gone over this 3.5 line in four straight games.
In Game 1, he recorded five assists on five potential assists. Now, look, you’re not going to get a 100% conversion rate every night, but the volume of opportunities is what matters.
He’s also a menace on the offensive glass. Because he’s not wired as a primary scorer, when he snags an offensive rebound and the defense is scattered, he immediately looks for the cutter or the open corner three.
As long as the books keep this number within a reasonable price range, you should try to take advantage of Thompson's newly unlocked role in the Pistons' offense while you still can.
Pick: Ausar Thompson Over 3.5 Assists (-104)
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Lakers vs. Thunder Team Total Bet
We’ve basically seen the life drained from this Lakers' offense. When you look at the recent stretch, they’ve failed to reach the 100-point mark in four straight games, and they’ve gone under this specific 96.5 number in three of their last four.
I thought the first half of Game 1 was the Lakers' window to find some success, but once Oklahoma City stopped feeling them out and actually locked in, it was over. The Thunder held them to a dismal 37 second-half points.
I know 96.5 feels like an awfully low number, but this Lakers group is really struggling to get the wheels turning on offense.
My theory is that you can still like the Lakers to stay competitive or cover while also hammering this under, mainly because the Thunder might struggle to find their own rhythm, which just drags the whole game into the mud.
Pick: Lakers Team Total Under 96.5 (-108)
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