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Top 3 NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (5/2)

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The National Basketball Association has a pair of first-round playoff games scheduled for Thursday night. The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers square off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 6 of their best-of-seven series, while the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers battle, also in Game 6. Tip time for Milwaukee-Indiana is at 6:30 p.m. ET to kick off a doubleheader on TNT, while New York-Philadelphia begins at 9 p.m. ET.

Let’s continue to build that bankroll for the rest of the NBA playoffs with our best bets for May 2.

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Thursday’s Best NBA Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit

Milwaukee Bucks (+295) @ Indiana Pacers (-370) | O/U 214 (-110/-110)

The Bucks extended the series with a convincing 115-92 victory over the Pacers in Game 5 at Fiserv Forum, winning outright as a 5.5-pint underdog as the Under (218) cashed. Now, head coach Doc Rivers and company look to get their first road win of the series and force a decisive Game 7 back on their own floor. It will be easier said than done.

I wish that Damian Lillard would pull a Willis Reed. For you young bucks, Reed shocked fans by limping onto the court for Game 7 of the NBA Finals to play 27 minutes with a torn thigh muscle. Lillard is officially considered doubtful due to his Achilles injury.

In Game 5, Milwaukee had five players pick up the slack with 10 or more points, including Khris Middleton with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Bobby Portis Jr. also had a double-double, going for 29 points and 10 rebounds. Middleton has been a beast in this series, not only picking up the slack with Lillard out but, of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with the calf. Middleton has gone for 25 or more points in three straight games. He has at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each of the past three game. He also has had a double-double in four of the five playoff games. He is a strong play for Over 26.5 (-106) if you’re into Same-Game Parlays and/or player prop bets.

I don’t really have a strong opinion on the total for this game, as the Under cashed in Game 5. However, the Over did hit in both Games 3 and 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Over has also cashed in the past six Indiana home games since April 1, so lean high.

As far as the side, Milwaukee has covered all three times in this series as a single-digit underdog. So back the Bucks catching over four buckets, although I’m not sure they have enough in the tank to win outright and force the Game 7 we all want to see.

Bet: Bucks +8.5 (-108), Over 214 (-110) & Khris Middleton Over 26.5 Points (-106)

New York Knicks (+134) @ Philadelphia 76ers (-158) | O/U 202 (-108/-112)

Have you ever been outside in the summer and unexpectedly walked into a spider web hanging between the trees, and you just couldn’t get it off of you? You think you’re rid of it, but then you keep feeling it, and it won’t go away? That’s how the Knicks must feel about the 76ers.

The 76ers looked to be dead and buried after the Knicks won on the road in Game 4 and headed back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5. But a magical thing happened on the historic New York hardwood, and it wasn’t for the Knicks. Tyrese Maxey went all Reggie Miller on the Knicks, scoring seven points in the final 25 seconds of regulation to force overtime when New York should have been able to close things out and move on to the next round. Philly was down six with just 28 seconds to go! If you had a bet on the Knicks, or you had the Under, you’re still sick.

Now, Philadelphia is back home, and Maxey and company are brimming with confidence, looking to force a decisive Game 7. Joel Embiid, who still had a triple-double in Game 5, is also 100% after playing through a nagging migraine. Lost in the Maxey hype and his 46 points was that Embiid was good for 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists with four blocked shots.

The Sixers are a slam-dunk play laying the points. Philadelphia steams into Game 6, while New York either comes out rejuvenated, looking for redemption, or flat as hell. I am banking on the latter.

Bet: 76ers -3 (-112)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:

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Daniel E. Dobish is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @danieledobish.

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