NBA May 7: Playoffs Game Picks & Betting Odds

The NBA Playoffs kept chugging right along this week as we moved to the final eight and the Conference Semifinals. And on Thursday night, we’re going to be treated to an intriguing NBA playoffs doubleheader featuring a pair of Game 2s.

In the early game, the No. 1 seed in the East, the Detroit Pistons, will look to build on their Game 1 win against the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, who are still waiting for their superstar dynamic duo in the backcourt to show up for the postseason.

In the Western Conference, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder are also up 1-0 in their series against the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers, who really struggled to keep pace with the defending champs during an 18-point defeat in Game 1. Read on for our betting picks and predictions for both of these games. And don’t forget, we’ve got the top NBA betting odds in the Great White North!

NBA Thursday - Conference Semifinals Game Picks & Betting Odds - May 7

All odds provided by Betway.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs.  Detroit Pistons Game 2 - Thursday, May 7 at 7PM (DET Leads 1-0)

The Pistons led for nearly all of Game 1, though the Cavaliers did roar back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 93. However, Detroit then responded with a 12-3 run that put the game out of reach for the Cavaliers. And once again, James Harden and Donovan Mitchell did not do enough to further their team’s cause. Neither player has hit 30 points since Game 2 of Round 1.

Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham didn’t exactly shoot the lights out in Game 1 either. But still, his team won 111-101. That shows how strong the rest of Detroit’s admittedly small rotation is. All five starters scored 11+ and three players scored 19+. Daniss Jenkins added a dozen more off the bench. The Cavs are 0-4 on the road in these playoffs, and we don’t think they’ll find the magic formula in Game 2.

Best Bet: Detroit Pistons Moneyline (-165)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2 - Thursday, May 7 at 9:30PM (OKC Leads 1-0)

When a 41-year-old player is the only guy locked in for Game 1 of a Conference Semifinal matchup, that’s a bad sign for their chances in the series. But that’s what happened with the Lakers, as LeBron James poured in 27 on 12-for-17 shooting while no other Lakers player had more than 18.

The Thunder didn’t even have Jalen Williams in that 108-90 win, and he’s arguably their second-best player. He remains out here, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Also working against the Lakers is the fact that when they have been big underdogs recently, they have not fared well: they are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games as dogs of 6.5 points or more. We’ll buy a couple of points down, but this feels like another big win for OKC.

Best Bet: Oklahoma City Thunder Alternative -11.5 Point Spread (-185)