NBA playoff action will have savvy bettors salivating on Tuesday night. The New York Knicks look to close out the Philadelphia 76ers from the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden, as the Indiana Pacers look to move on to the second round for the first time in a decade. At the same time, Cleveland and Orlando lock horns in a must-win Game 5.
Let's take a look at NBA spread, moneyline and total plays to help you beat the books:
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Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks
Matchup Page: Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks, 8:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | +4 (-110) | +136 | O 204 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -4 (-110) | -162 | U 204 (-110) |
Pick: Knicks -4
Give me the Knicks to close out this series at home.
Jalen Brunson has been hooping over the last two games. The Knicks' savior has knocked down nearly 50% of his shots while averaging an insane 43 points per game across Games 3 and 4.
.@KendrickPerkins says Jalen Brunson is the most valuable player in the Eastern Conference 😤 pic.twitter.com/enF3XrIGxm
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 29, 2024
On top of that, OG Anunoby has been an absolute cheat code for Tom Thibodeau's defense. With the ability to switch one through five, and effectively guard Joel Embiid for long stretches, Anunoby is quickly becoming a fan favorite in New York.
The Knicks' role players have stepped up in this series, with Josh Hart averaging nearly 17 points and 13 rebounds per contest. Six Knicks are scoring in double figures, and they bring the scoring chops of Bojan Bogdanovic off the bench as their eighth man.
New York has really gelled over the back half of the season and their NBA Trade Deadline deals are starting to pay dividends. Target the Knicks on the spread at home.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Matchup Page: Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks, 9:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | -4 (-110) | -184 | O 216 (-110) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +4 (-110) | +154 | U 216 (-110) |
Pick: Bucks +4
Something about this line just rubs me the wrong way. The Pacers are now massive favorites to win this first-round series. Why are they only four-point favorites in a potential closeout Game 5?
Milwaukee will likely be without both Giannis and Damian Lillard. But, the rest of the Bucks roster gets paid to play basketball too. People forget Brooks Lopez was a No. 1 scoring option for most of his career. Khris Middleton is an all-star.
I love the contrarian play on taking the Bucks here. The public will be all over Indiana to win this game. Stay sharp my friends.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks
Matchup Page: Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks, 8:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | +4 (-110) | +136 | O 204 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -4 (-110) | -162 | U 204 (-110) |
Pick: Knicks -4
New York covered as a 5-point underdog in Game 4 in Philadelphia, winning outright to push the 76ers to the brink of elimination. Every game in this series has been relatively close, with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks consistently finding ways to win. Brunson is averaging 33 points per game in this series, the 76ers have never truly been at full strength, and expect Madison Square Garden to be at its raucous best as the Knicks aim to clinch their first-round series at home.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Matchup Page: Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks, 9:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | -4 (-110) | -184 | O 216 (-110) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +4 (-110) | +154 | U 216 (-110) |
Pick: Pacers -4
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and now Damian Lillard both out injured, the Bucks tried to persevere in Game 4 of this series with guys like A.J. Green, Danilo Gallinari and Andre Jackson Jr. thrust into outsized roles. You know how that worked out. Khris Middleton can carry Milwaukee by himself only so far against a high-scoring Pacers lineup that can strike both inside and out. Indiana covered rather easily in Game 4, and against the same depleted Bucks lineup, the Pacers are the natural play once again.
