Julius Randle delivered in the Minnesota Timberwolves versus the Los Angeles Lakers match. He was indeed the “X-factor” that we mentioned he would be. He went over his set line of 19.5 points, with 24 points on a fantastic 10 of 17 night. He also contributed with 11 assists and 7 rebounds in just 33 minutes. In the process, he helped Minnesota to a 119 - 93 victory.

However, Rudy Gobert was not as effective; he attempted just four field goals on the night and ended with 5 points and 9 rebounds. The rebounding line was set at 10.5, and if the game had been closer, he would have gone over. The blowout hurts the over from time to time, but the data and logic were correct.

Jimmy Butler was not an effective passer and ended with just 4 assists. Once again, had it been a more competitive match, Butler would have played more than 34 minutes. With the game over before the fourth quarter, both teams opted to give their bench time to play.

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/9

There are two great games tonight, one from each conference. It is a pivotal game three for both teams, but some would argue that one match is a must-win. That match features the first NBA best bet today.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction: Andrew Nembhard Over 13.5 Points (-114 on FanDuel) *BET OF THE NIGHT 

The Indiana Pacers host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in an important game three. These division rivals are no strangers to each other, and although there are several Conference Semifinals that begin 2 - 0, it is rare that the game three home team has that advantage. Such is the case for the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers have been playing well, and the Cavaliers are banged up. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter are questionable once again. Indiana has a healthy lineup, and one player who has played above his regular-season average is Andrew Nembhard.

Nembhard elevates his play in the playoffs. He earned 10 points per game in the regular season, but has 15.8 points per game in the playoffs. Nembhard has 50% marks in both his field goals and three-point attempts. He is almost perfect from the free-throw line with a 13 - 15 performance. His playoff assists per game are at 6.1, another improvement from his 5.0 regular season average.

As pivotal as this match is for the Cavaliers, it is just as important for the Pacers. A win tonight would deflate Cleveland, as not one NBA franchise has come back to win a series when down 0 - 3. Look for the Pacers to feed off the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and continue their high-scoring philosophy

Nembhard has scored over 13.5 in five of the seven playoff games thus far. Put a unit for him to do it again on FanDuel, and for those new to the sports betting app, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer.

 

 

 

Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction: Denver Moneyline (+195 on BET365)

The Denver Nuggets host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena with a 10:00 PM ET tip-off time. The series is tied 1 - 1. Game one was a thrilling match, and the Nuggets won on their last field goal of the game. Game two was a blowout victory from Oklahoma City, with record-breaking point totals from the Thunder.

Game three is predicted to be a high-scoring game in favor of the Thunder. The total is set at 232.5, and Oklahoma City is a -5.5 point favorite. That is the lowest the spread has been in their series, and the home court could have an effect on this game. The Thunder have not had a road game since April 26th, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not played a game in a higher elevation in over a month. Tonight’s game is also a 9:00 PM CT start time, and their biological clock may have difficulty adjusting.

The Thunder have enjoyed the privilege of being the one seed. They rested during the play-in tournament, swept the eighth seed, and waited for the middle-ranked teams to battle it out. Sometimes those privileges become a double-edged sword. Now they have to play a late game at 5,280 feet after a game that took a lot of physical and emotional energy. The Nuggets will pull away in the second half and have an exhausted Thunder team on their heels in the fourth quarter.

The Thunder are an excellent team, but so are the Nuggets, who have a 29 - 16 record at Ball Arena (including postseason). Oklahoma is great when they blow teams away, but have a 14 - 14 record in games decided by less than 10 points. Close games have been an advantage for the lower-ranked teams during the Conference Semifinals, and that should remain so tonight.

Look for Denver to outduel their division rival and come out ahead. Put a unit on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to lead Denver to another home playoff victory. Place this best bet with Bet365 and make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer at the end of this page.

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/9

The last NBA best bet today is a same-game parlay on a future Hall of Fame member.

Thunder vs Nuggets SGP Prediction: Russell Westbrook 15+ Points & 2+ Threes Made (+210 on BETMGM) 

Russell Westbrook has been instrumental to the Nuggets' playoff success. His numbers reflect his effort, and he is the right person for the job. Although Denver’s players will not receive any individual awards, the argument against them has dwindled during the playoffs. Nikola Jokic is playing better than anyone on the court, Christian Braun has the largest minutes per game playoff increase of any player still remaining, and Westbrook has come off the bench and closed out games better than Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics. 

During this postseason, Westbrook has scored 117 points in seven playoff games, or an average of 16.7 points per game. His point line is set at 13.5, and it is recommended to tease it up to 15. He has scored 15 or more points in five of those seven playoff games, and in the two he did not, he scored 14 points. Westbrook will go full speed for a dunk to end an opposing team's scoring run, can make a ten to fifteen-foot basket with ease, and has even made three-point attempts.

Westbrook has made 15 through the postseason, many of which have been timely for Denver. Teams do not want to guard him on the perimeter, and he has made them pay with a success rate of 37.5%. This best bet requires him to make two threes, something he has accomplished in every home game this postseason.

Westbrook has made two or more in every game at Ball Arena and one game on the road. Look for him to get open at his spots and sink two on his way to 15 or more points. Put a unit on this wager at BETMGM, and new customers make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s offer of up to $1,500 in bonus bets.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise