NBA Playoffs – Tuesday April 29 Game Picks & Betting Odds
All odds provided by Betway.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Game 5, IND Leads 3-1) - 6PM E.T.
This one was our big hit on Saturday, as the Pacers, leading 2-1 in the series, were somehow rated as +160 underdogs by most NBA betting sites. They ended up winning by 26. And honestly, we’re not sure something like that won’t happen again. With Damian Lillard’s Achilles snapped and the rest of him halfway out the door and not much else other than Giannis Antetokounmpo to stitch this group together, it’s going to be tough going on the road.
Even without all of that context, the Pacers were 29-11 at home during the regular season, the fourth-best mark in the league. Their spread record is just 15-16-2 at home, but they have covered their last three in Indiana leading into this one, and we don’t see much fire coming from anyone from Milwaukee apart from Giannis. He’ll need 60 to win this one though.
Pick: Indiana Pacers Alternate -6.5 Point Spread (-140)
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons (Game 5, NYK Leads 3-1) - 7:30PM E.T.
What could have been. If not for a botched call to end the game, the Pistons might be heading to MSG for an epic Game 5 with the game tied 2-2. Instead, they will fight for their lives down 3-1. And we think that’s why they’ll be able to keep this one close and possibly win. On Saturday we picked them because they’ve been the better team in each game, only to falter late. Unfortunately, that was all too true. We think they’ve got one more win in them here, however. Especially with the fire that will be burning after the officials admitted their Game 4 mistake.
Pick: Detroit Pistons +5.5 Point Spread (-110)
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic (Game 5, BOS Leads 3-1) - 8:30PM E.T.
The ending of Game 4 proved what many were hoping wasn’t true: the Magic aren’t quite there yet. They just don’t have the offensive prowess behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. However, they are a young team that has fight and physicality, so we doubt they will go quietly, even in Boston. An 11.5 spread is just disrespectful in the playoffs (unless you’re the Heat or Grizzlies, unfortunately).
Pick: Orlando Magic +11.5 Point Spread (-110)
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Game 5, Series Tied 2-2) - 10PM E.T.
The Nuggets have won twice with sphincter-clenching finishes where they had to come back on the Clippers. Much like the Knicks-Pistons series, we believe L.A. is clearly the better team here. However, where Detroit lacks experience, the Clippers have a ton. Both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard were quiet in Game 4. They won’t be in Game 5.
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers Moneyline (-130)/Betway
