Free Bets to Make for Tuesday in the NBA Playoffs
Free NBA Bets
The NBA first-round continues into its third week, with a loaded Tuesday slate. We have three games to take in, all Game 5s. There’s plenty to like from around the league, here are our favorite bets to make Tuesday in the NBA.
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Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn returns home in this series against Boston, up 3 games to 1. The Nets can close out the series on Tuesday night and advance to the next round.
Series betting trends
- Brooklyn is 3-1 against the spread (ATS)
- The over is 3-1, hitting in three straight games
We have a few bets to make in the first game of the night, tipping off at 7:30 PM EST.
OVER 231 points
The best bet is on the over, which has hit in three straight games. Game 4 between these two teams went for 267 total points.
The reason to bet on plenty of points is the three-point shot. Both offenses have an advantage shooting from deep. Boston ranks ninth, going against a Nets defense that ranks 16th guarding the perimeter. Brooklyn is fourth in the NBA, and the Celtics rank 19th at stopping the three.
The outside shot has been the catalyst for the point barrage, and it will be the reason the over hits again in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Beyond the total points, there are a few players to keep an eye on for scoring props.
Jayson Tatum OVER points
There’s no one to start with other than Tatum. Tatum dropped 50 points on Friday night in Game 3 and followed it up with 40 more on Sunday. This offense goes as the fourth-year wing goes, and if they hope to remain competitive in Game 5, it starts and ends with Tatum. Tatum shot 17 free throws in Game 4. If he can continue getting to the line at that frequency, this over should be in safe hands.
Evan Fournier OVER points
It’s Fournier, not Kemba Walker that I’d focus on as a second Boston player prop. Fournier is averaging 6.3 threes attempted per game in this series, scoring over 16 in three straight games.
Joe Harris OVER points
If we’re building our over pick on the three-point shot, the first man to thank in Brooklyn has to be Joe Harris.
Harris is shooting a mammoth 53% from deep in this series, averaging 5.3 threes made per game. You can expect plenty of shots from Harris in this one.
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets
Portland took Game 4 at home over the Nuggets, evening the series as we head to Game 5. The Nuggets will host this game on Tuesday.
Series betting trends
- Each team is 2-2 ATS
- The over is 3-1
Our preferred bet in this pivotal Game 5 is a pick against the spread. Game 5 will start at 9 PM EST.
Denver -1.5
A bounceback effort feels imminent for Denver, and at just -1.5, we have a very favorable spread for the home team. The Nuggets took both Game 2 and Game 3, and despite a 20-point loss on Saturday, they should be able to right the ship. It starts with presumptive MVP Nikola Jokic and this strong Nuggets offense. Even without Jamal Murray, Denver’s offense ranks sixth in the NBA. Yes, Portland has a strong offense of their own, but they do not have a strong defense.
In fact, their defense ranks 27th in the NBA. It’s an egregious difference between units and enough to bet on Denver to get back to their winning ways and take control of the series.
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
This Lakers-Suns series is one of the best in a loaded Western Conference slate. The series is tied 2-2 as we return to Phoenix for Game 5.
Series betting trends
- Each team is 2-2 ATS
- The under is 3-1
We’ll be following the betting trends with our favorite bet between these two teams. Action tips off at 10 PM EST.
UNDER 207 points
The under has been the best play for this entire series, and we’ll continue betting it for Game 5. What makes the under the best bet here are two factors: strong defensive units and offenses that play slow. We’ll start with the pace of play. Pace, which is calculated by field goals attempted per game and possessions per game, can help shine a light on how quickly offenses get shots up and how methodical they are when they possess the ball.
The Lakers and Suns are both bottom-ten in pace, at 22nd and 23rd, respectively. Couple that with two strong defenses, and you get an under as the bet of the night. Los Angeles has the second-best defense in the NBA, with Phoenix not far behind at sixth in the league.
Anthony Davis is questionable with an injury, only further adding to the under pick. The Lakers' offense is going to have a difficult time scoring on this Suns' defense without one of their stars.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
