The second round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with an excellent pair of Game 3s on ABC this Saturday, as Celtics-Knicks takes center stage at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by Timberwolves-Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 5 NBA picks spanning both of today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, May 10.
NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Saturday, May 10
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
| 3:30 p.m. | |
| 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 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. | ||
Timberwolves vs. Warriors
By Joe Dellera
The Wolves face off against the Steph Curry-less Warriors in Game 3 tonight, and one player that’s been a bit of a surprising success in the playoffs is Julius Randle.
Randle is averaging 22.1 points and 5.6 assists per game during the playoffs. The scoring has remained consistent with 16+ in every game, and 20+ in 5/7.
The key is the dimes have spiked a bit against the Warriors. He’s up to 6 and 11 in these two games with 11 and 14 potentials.
This series is another tough one for Conley, and Randle’s size helps him create for himself and others with his dribble penetration. He’s unselfishly making the right decisions.
I’ll back Randle to exceed 24.5 PA and build off of his strong Game 2 performance.
Pick: Julius Randle Over 24.5 Points + Assists (-106)
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Timberwolves vs. Warriors
I'm a Kuminga guy. I hope he finds his way to my Wizards in restricted free agency this offseason. But, he doesn't fit with this team and head coach Steve Kerr doesn't seem willing to give him significant minutes.
Kuminga had his best game of the playoffs on Thursday, scoring 18 points with 5 rebounds and an assist across 26 minutes. He started the 2nd half in place of Quinten Post. This seems like a clear sell-high spot.
Kuminga has been in and out of the rotation this postseason. The rug could get pulled at any time. He went an unsustainable 8 for 11 from the field in Game 2.
Minnesota led wire-to-wire in a game that was never particularly competitive. Kuminga only played about 8 minutes in the 1st half, and then played the majority of the 2nd half (18 minutes) of the blowout.
There's a solid chance Game 2 was his best performance of the playoffs by a decent margin.
Pick: Jonathan Kuminga Under 20.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120)
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Celtics vs. Knicks
The Celtics became the first team in the NBA play-by-play era to lose two playoff games after blowing a 20-point lead. But what makes that stat even crazier is that they’ve done so in back-to-back games.
While it’s not uncommon for teams to find themselves in a 0-2 hole, you typically don’t expect it to be a higher seed.
The Celtics must now go to New York to seek their first win in the series.
Boston has become a bit of a victim of its own success because it has struggled to find a plan-B when things aren’t going in its favor.
For example, it has gotten complacent by forcing 3-point attempts even when the shots are no longer falling.
With the Celtics’ backs against the wall, I’d be surprised if they don’t come out with at least a more balanced approach in Game 3.
According to our Action Labs database, higher-seeded favorites in this spot off a two-game losing streak are 32-19-3 (62.7%) against the spread on the road.
Grab Boston laying 3.5 points in the first half.
Pick: Celtics First Half Spread -3.5 (-115)
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Celtics vs. Knicks
This line is way too much of an overcorrection from the results of Games 1 and 2.
The Game 1 line opened at 218.5, Game 2 opened 7 points lower at 211.5, and now Game 3 is another 7 points lower down to 204.5.
The market is starting to play this back towards an over and I agree.
These teams shoot high volume of threes, but simply have missed.
The possessions should increase with Boston down 0-2. I expect them to play faster and stop grinding clock while a lead slips away.
I played the first two games under, now its time to go over.
Pick: Over 205.5 (-120)
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Celtics vs. Knicks
I'm staying on Derrick White threes, for now.
The sharpshooting guard went 5-for-16 in Game 1 and 3-for-9 in Game 2.
The process is there — the shots were in Game 1, not in Game 2.
That said, Boston won't be going away from the three, and White will be among their best weapons from deep almost every night.
If the Celtics diversify their attack, it will be Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading the charge in driving to the basket, which will open up threes for White and others.
And if they don't, they'll jack a million threes, and White will launch roughly 20 to 25 percent of them at least. So, the volume and minutes should be there.
Pick: Derrick White Over 3.5 Three-Pointers Made (-125)
