NBA Playoffs 2024 Expert Picks: Timberwolves, Pacers Sexy Road Underdog Picks

Our NBA experts of Christopher Walder, Nick Holz, and David Caraviello are here throughout the playoffs offering up their spread, moneyline, OVER/UNDER, and player prop picks for all of the action. 

Here's a look at all of their picks for the slate on Monday, May 6, 2024 as the Minnesota Timberwolves look to go up 2-0 in their best-of-seven series with the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers visit Madison Square Garden to kick off their second-round matchup with the New York Knicks. 

(Related Link) 2024 NBA Playoff Series Prices

NBA Expert Picks Results: Second Round

Jump To Picks

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Denver Nuggets Game 2 Preview & Picks

Matchup Page: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m. ET

Same-Game Parlay: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Game 2

Christopher Walder's Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves ATS +6.5 (-108)

Game 1 was further indicative that the Timberwolves fear no one player or team, much like their opponents in Denver. A four-game sweep of the top-heavy Phoenix Suns strengthened their resolve, and they then followed that up with a dominant showing in the Mile High City winning by seven points as the 4.5-point underdogs on Saturday.

Minnesota is 5-0 SU and against the spread during this postseason with no end in sight. It also successfully three out of four times against the Nuggets as an underdog during the 2023-24 campaign, as well.

If Jamal Muray's calf is still nagging, paired with the combination of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid making Nikola Jokic work that much harder for every bucket, I love the chances of the Timberwolves not only covering, but even taking a commanding 2-0 lead in this series.

Nicks' Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves ATS +6.5 (-108)

I'll jump on the Timberwolves bandwagon in Game 2. While I can't see the Nuggets being swept at home, Minnesota has been money as an underdog this season.

On top of that, Chris Finch's squad is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games on the road, and 4-1 ATS versus the Nuggets so far this season. Minnesota has also covered the spread in five straight games as an underdog of five or more points. I think this line is a least a point too high after shifting in the Nuggets favor on Monday. Give Anthony Edwards as an underdog tonight.

Davids' Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves ATS +6.5 (-108)

It’s one thing to dispatch the Suns without breaking a sweat—but going into Denver and handing it to the reigning world champions? Minnesota looks more and more legit with every game in these playoffs, behind a suffocating defense that forced lots of turnovers even from a savvy Nuggets lineup. Hard to not take the points here, even on the road.

Indiana Pacers Vs. New York Knicks Game 1 Preview & Picks

Matchup Page: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET

Same-Game Parlay: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Game 1

Christopher Walder's Pick: Indiana Pacers ATS +5.5 (-108)

Another game, and another 5.5-point underdog to take on the road for Monday's action. 

The Pacers haven't successfully covered the spread in back-to-back games since March 29-April 1, so they'd have to buck the trend in Game 1 after covering as the six-point favorites in their series finale with the Milwaukee Bucks on May 2. The Knicks, meanwhile, only covered twice in their series with the 76ers, but were underdogs on both occasions. 

Indiana is going to try and run New York out of its building, knowing its already beaten them two out of three times this season while covering in both of those wins. 

Nicks' Pick: New York Knicks ATS -5.5 (-112)

Something tells me another massive Jalen Brunson game is brewing on Monday night. He's shot nearly 50% from the field over the last four games, while scoring at least 39 points in each contest.

The Knicks head back to the Mecca with a ton of momentum. New York is 8-2 SU in their last 10 against Eastern Conference competition. New York's efficient rotation, and the full integration of OG Anunoby in Tom Thibodeau's system gives them the edge in this series, and tonight. I'll lay the 5.5-points with the Knicks in Game 1.

Davids' Pick: Indiana Pacers ATS +5.5 (-108)

While Indiana knocked out an injury-riddled Milwaukee team in the first round, the Pacers still saw the likes of Tyrese Halliburton and Myles Turner hit every big shot then they needed it. New York is the higher seed and Jalen Brunson has been scoring at will, but this shapes up as an even second-round matchup decided by which big-game guards come up bigger.