NBA Playoffs Odds & Picks: Tuesday (4/23)
We had some wild finishes in yesterday’s three-game NBA slate. The Knicks earned an incredible come-from-behind win with seconds remaining against the Sixers, while Jamal Murray drained a game-winning shot at the buzzer to push the Nuggets past the Lakers.
The Nuggets had trailed by 20 points in that game.
After looking at tonight’s slate, we might get the same kind of results tonight. All three games on the NBA board have a spread of no more than 3.5.
That said, here are my two favorite bets for the NBA Playoffs tonight.
Tuesday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook| All wagers are for 1 unit
Phoenix Suns @ Minnesota Timberwolves
I backed the Suns in Game 1 of this series but paid the price after the Suns lost 120-95. Still, I’m not entirely ready to give up on Phoenix. The Suns defeated Minnesota in all three regular-season games by double digits. They’ll put that Game 1 loss aside and focus on Game 2. After all, as the lower seed, you just need to win one game on the road and take care of business at home.
In Game 1, everything went wrong for the Suns. Phoenix turned the ball over 17% of the time and earned just 12.5% of offensive rebounds. That was interesting, mainly because on that final game of the regular season, the Suns added 37.8% of offensive rebounds against the Timberwolves in a 125-106 win on the road.
The Suns didn’t win the turnover battle in Game 1. They also struggled terribly against Minnesota on the glass. But typically, the Suns are elite on the defensive glass. For example, this month alone, they’ve allowed no more than 28.8% of offensive rebounds in all but one game.
That singular game was Sunday’s Game 1 matchup against the Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Suns got to the foul line more frequently and likely will continue to be the team that gets to the foul line more in Game 2.
Game 1 was ultimately even in many areas. It was really only the rebounding that hurt the Suns. Minnesota added 52 rebounds to Phoenix’s 28. But again, the Suns aren’t this bad on the defensive glass. Look for that differential to tighten in Game 2.
I’ll roll with the Suns at +140 odds.
Bet: Suns ML (+140)
Indiana Pacers @ Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard had a fun first half against the Pacers in Game 1 of the series. He scored 35 points and led the Bucks to an insurmountable lead. However, the Pacers made some adjustments at halftime. Indiana beat the Bucks by double-digits in the second half and held Lillard scoreless in the second half.
The Pacers are an inexperienced bunch, with many playing in the first playoffs of their careers. They came out flat and unprepared but proved they were capable of beating Milwaukee in the second half.
After the Game 1 win, it’s way more likely Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play in Game 2.
That should only help Pascal Siakam, who enjoyed 36 points and 13 rebounds on 15-for-25 from the floor in 40 minutes for the Pacers on Sunday. Meanwhile, Indiana knows they need more out of Tyrese Haliburton. He’s averaged 27 points per game against the Bucks this season but only took seven shots in that Game 1 loss. While he’s been less aggressive over the last couple of months, Indiana’s All-Star guard needs to take more shots and lead the Pacers better.
If he does that, I’ve got the Pacers earning Game 2.
Bet: Pacers ML (-105)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday: