NBA Playoff Picks & Predictions | Top Bets From ‘Buckets’ Podcast (Thursday, May 9)

There are two Game 2s in action on Thursday, as both one seeds (Boston and Oklahoma City) host their respective opponents up 1-0.

Our "BUCKETS" podcast crew broke down both games and provided their best bets for Thursday's two matchups.

By Jay Money

Derrick White is shooting 50% from 3 and the Cavs can't stop him.

There are so many scorers in this Celtics lineup that if you try to stop White, that leaves the duo of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown more open.

White is shaking his head knowing they can't guard him. Not only can he hit catch-and-shoot 3s, he can hit pull-up 3s just as easily. He's feeling it right now, and the Cavs don't have a deep defensive lineup to stop him. He's averaging 4.67 3PM per game and attempting 9.33 3s per game.

The confidence and the volume is there.

I love this play.

Pick: Derrick White Over 3.5 3PM

By Sean Little

The market is getting real sharp right now.

First quarters in the playoffs are typically high-variance spots.

It's clear Luka Doncic was hobbled in that first game and didn't look like his assertive offensive self. He doesn't look right, and I think he's downplaying it quite a bit.

The Mavericks were tied 23-23 at the end of the first quarter in Game 1, and I think this spot is going to be the freshest Doncic we'll see up to this point.

The Thunder blew the doors open in the second quarter. The Thunder offense is 13th out of 16 playoff teams in first quarter rating. They're No. 2 of the 16 teams in second quarter offensive rating. It's clear the Thunder offense uses that first quarter to warm up and then turns it on in the second frame.

I'll back the high variance and the more desperate Mavs.

Pick: Mavericks 1Q +1.5

By Sean Little

In this series, Josh Giddey has started to show his true colors.

This guy can't really shoot, although he got hot down the stretch of the regular season. He only played 17 minutes in Game 1, which is the least he's played since December 21.

The Thunder have so many role players that performed better in Game 1, and I expect the bench to continue to get more minutes.

I just don't think Giddey will be on the court enough to gather 18.5 PRA.

Pick: Josh Giddey Under 18.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists

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