NBA Picks: Playoff Betting Updates for Every Series
NBA Picks
The inauguration of the 2022 NBA playoffs brought heroic individual performances, blowouts aplenty, and one game-winner against a familiar face. The action continues Monday night with three more exciting matchups, but before that, an update on all of the series across the league. See all our NBA Odds Here
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks
Utah snuck in a 5.5-point spread cover in game one against Dallas, a game in which they won 99-93 thanks to 30 second-half points from Donovan Mitchell. The Mavericks are likely going to be without Luka Doncic in game two and are six-point underdogs in the impending clash as a result.
However, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson both impressed without their Slovenian superstar teammate in the backcourt, while Rudy Gobert was held to just five points and one field goal attempt on the other end, which could mean that an upset is brewing.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Timberwolves carried their momentum from the play-in tournament into game one against the Grizzlies, which they took 130-117 after repeatedly closing the door down the stretch.
Memphis was favored by six and a half points in game one and will be favored by the same amount in game two, but Minnesota showed them that they are not going to simply rollover.
Memphis’ biggest area of concern was three-point shooting as they only made 25.9% of their long-range shots.
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers easily took game one against the Raptors behind 38 points from second-year guard Tyrese Maxey, as well as 26 points from Tobias Harris. Toronto failed to make good on the 4.5 points the oddsmakers spotted them as Thaddeus Young, Scottie Barnes, and Gary Trent Jr. all went down with injuries during the game.
Given the team’s recent performance and the crippling injuries, it is unlikely the Raptors turn in a win in game two unless Phili drastically underperforms.
Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry came off the bench and scored 16 points on 13 shots for the Dubs, who had not seen their superstar point guard in action in a month.
Golden State won 123-107 despite only being favored by 6.5 points and having one player, Jordan Poole, score more than 19 points (30), which should be terrifying for Denver fans.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had a nice game judging the box score, but his impact was nullified by the freakish pace and ball movement the Warriors played with.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat annihilated the visiting Atlanta Hawks 115-91 thanks to an incredible demonstration of long-range marksmanship.
Miami made 18 of 38 three-point attempts, led by Duncan Robinson’s eight makes on nine attempts (27 total points), while Atlanta’s Trae Young had one of the worst games of his professional career, finishing with eight points, four assists, and six turnovers.
The Heat checked off their 6.5-point spread and carry all of the momentum heading into the second meeting in the series.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics
The best game from the first round in the 2022 NBA playoffs was the Brookly Nets against the Boston Celtics; Boston appeared to have blown the game open in the third quarter before Kyrie Irving’s fourth-quarter masterclass saw them assume a three-point lead with less than a minute remaining.
One quick bucket and a defensive stop later, Jayson Tatum dropped in a spinning lay-up as time expired, giving the Celtics the first win in the series by the narrowest of margins.
Brooklyn +4 bettors won the evening, but Boston now holds a ton of confidence ahead of game two, which they will need against a team led by the ever-present Kevin Durant.
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks defeated the Bulls 93-86 in a game where neither team could buy a bucket in the late-second half, especially the fourth quarter. Chicago managed to put a poor run of recent form aside and cover the 10.5-point spread, but it was Milwaukee’s length and clutch shot-making that made the difference down the stretch.
Still, the Bulls showed that they have more of a fight than their post-All-Star break resume suggests and can match up with the Bucks— that is, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still playing at a “human” level like he was Sunday night.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns
The Suns took game one against the Pelicans 110-99, barely beating out the -10 spread, but they did make a slight mess of it.
The Pelicans were down by over 20 points and seemed out of the game for most of the second and third quarters until pulling back within six points in the fourth. They are still highly unlikely to beat the best team in the league, but their new fighting spirit could help spread bettors in future matchups.
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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.
