The second round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with an excellent doubleheader of Game 3s on ESPN this Friday, as Cavaliers-Pacers takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Thunder-Nuggets at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 4 NBA picks spanning both of tonight's contest. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Friday, May 9.
NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Friday, May 9
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 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. | ||
Cavaliers vs. Pacers
By Alex Hinton
The Pacers have not only stolen home court advantage, but they won both games in Cleveland to put the top-seeded Cavaliers on the ropes.
Tyrese Haliburton's dagger with 1.1 seconds left to go clinched Game 2. However, they would not have been in position to come back without contributions from Aaron Nesmith.
Nesmith has scored 40 points in the first two games of this series and is now averaging 16.3 points per game in the postseason. He has knocked down at least three triples in five of the Pacers' first seven playoff games, including four games with four or more.
Two of those have come in the first two games of this series in which he has four and five threes.
Nesmith has been scorching in the playoffs, shooting 56% from deep on six attempts per game. However, this is not out of nowhere. He has proven himself to be a knockdown shooter over the past two years, shooting 41% or better in each of the last two regular seasons.
Additionally, many of his looks have been wide open because of the Pacers' ball movement and particularly Haliburton's playmaking. Nesmith has cleared this line in five of his last nine games against the Cavaliers. Back home tonight, I like that trend to continue.
Pick: Aaron Nesmith Over 2.5 Three-Pointers Made (+140)
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Thunder vs. Nuggets
By Joe Dellera
Westbrook continues to get a ton of burn in the playoffs. His motor has been invaluable for the Nuggets, and he has exceeded this points prop of 13.5 in 7/8 playoff games he has played in, with the one miss being the game he got hurt.
He is averaging 15 points per game, and now has scored 18 and 19 points against the Thunder.
With MPJ dealing with an injury, Westbrook's volume has stayed consistent as Denver desperately needs some other offensive talent.
Considering he still cleared this line in just 22 minutes last game due to the blowout, the floor remains high.
Oklahoma City also doesn't mind sending him to the free throw line for extra opportunities, but he has capitalized on that going 11/15 from the charity stripe.
Pick: Russell Westbrook Over 13.5 Points (-105)
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Cavaliers vs. Pacers
We've seen Donovan Mitchell attempt to will the Cavs to a win, and he will need to again in Game 3.
Mitchell might be, again, without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter.
Garland isn't expected to play, per Brian Windhorst, while Mobley and Hunter are questionable.
Mitchell had 48 points on 30 attempts last game while shooting 17-of-21 on free throws.
I'm not sure if the volume will carry over, but the intent is going to have to.
Mitchell literally has no other choice. And even if he is heroic again, other Cavaliers will need to hit shots… and not collapse late in the contest.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 29.5 points (-115)
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Thunder vs. Nuggets
Going on the road with a loss already in the series tied 1-1 makes me like OKC more in this spot.
