The second round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with an excellent doubleheader of Game 2s on TNT this Wednesday, as Knicks-Celtics takes center stage at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Nuggets-Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 5 NBA picks spanning both of tonight's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Wednesday, May 7.
NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Wednesday, May 7
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 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. | ||
Nuggets vs. Thunder
A large question heading into this series was can the Thunder's two-big lineup be formidable enough to make offense difficult for Jokic.
After Game 1, it did not work out well. Chet proved he is way too thin to body up against the dinosaur that is a Jokic-saurus.
Hartenstein could not handle the footwork, finesse, and ability to play at multiple levels.
Last, Jokic seemed to have an early "solve" for the OKC defense hanging out around the FT line, drawing a perimeter defender, and just backing him down and forcing OKC to bring help, where he can still score or beat them with a pass to an open shooter.
On the opposing side, Denver does not have a defensive answer for SGA or the transition offense of the Thunder.
This series should be high-scoring. The total for Game 2 is roughly the same as the closing line for Game 1, which took late sharp action. So, I am going back to the over here.
Pick: Over 229.5 (-110)
| | | | |
Nuggets vs. Thunder
By Kyle Murray
We took this same bet for Westbrook but at 8.5 last time out, so I will happily go back to it here on a discount.
Westbrook got quite unlucky in these categories last game, as he scored well, which took away from his assist production, but he also struggled rebounding, as Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon combined for a whopping 27 rebounds.
That likely won't happen again in Game 2.
Westbrook continues to be an X-Factor for this Nuggets team, and honestly, he should continue to play more minutes if Michael Porter Jr. doesn't improve his play.
Westbrook played 29 minutes last game, and when projecting him for that same number here, I have him for 5.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds.
Pick: Russell Westbrook Over 7.5 Rebounds & Assists (-120)
| | | | |
Knicks vs. Celtics
By Joe Dellera
The Celtics look to bounce back in Game 2 tonight after a historically bad shooting performance in Game 1.
One player that has significant upside in this spot is Jayson Tatum.
Tatum still recorded 45 PRA in Game 1 despite going 4/15 from 3-point range, and only converting on 6 of his 17 potential assists.
The team shot so poorly from beyond the arc that there’s certainly room for improvement on those opportunities.
Tatum has exceeded this line in five straight games against the Knicks, and his last four playoff games as well.
Even if his shot is not falling, he always has the green light to keep firing.
Pick: Jayson Tatum Over 42.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
| | | | |
Knicks vs. Celtics
By Alex Hinton
Jrue Holiday returned to the Celtics lineup on Monday, but that did not impact his backcourt Derrick White much at all.
White had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists. He averaged 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the regular season and 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the playoffs thus far.
As you can see, he usually lands between four to five rebounds, except against the Knicks.
In his last three games against the Knicks, White has had at least eight rebounds. In two of those games, he also has had seven assists or more. White only had three potential assists on Monday, but Boston also missed 45 threes.
We know Boston is going to get up a bunch of threes, so a better shooting night from them likely boosts White to at least his usual four or five assists.
White played 44 minutes on Monday with the game going to overtime, but he has usually played at least 35 or more in the playoffs. He has had 16, 17, and 13 RA in his last three games against the Knicks. I'll back him to score 10+ points at plus-odds here.
Pick: Derrick White Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (+100)
Knicks vs. Celtics
Derrick White has hit at least four threes in five straight games against the Knicks — all this season.
For whatever reason, White is always the guy who gets open against New York.
In his last five, going back to October, he has gone:
- 6/10
- 4/7
- 5/6
- 4/12
- 5/16
I think the attempts should land around double figures pretty consistently in this series, especially if Karl-Anthony Towns is on the floor, because White will be able to get his looks from the corners.
Additionally, White could go off for six or more threes any game this series based on volume.
