NBA fans were finally blessed with some competitive basketball last night. The first round of the playoffs rolls on in Boston and Oklahoma City with the favorites leading the way.
Let's take a look at spread, moneyline and total plays to help you beat the books tonight:
Jump To Picks:
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Matchup Page: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, 7pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +14.5 (-108) | +788 | O 204 (-110) |
| Boston Celtics | -14.5 (-112) | -1124 | U 204 (-110) |
Pick: UNDER 204
Miami is severely undermanned in this series. Without the scoring chops of Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, the Heat have little hope in pulling off a miraculous upset. Sportsbooks have Erik Spoelstra’s squad as 14.5-point underdogs for a reason.
With Caleb Martin and Jaime Jacquez Jr starting the Heat shot just 12-of-37 fro three in Game 1. Boston’s defense is now focused on slowing down Tyler Herro, and the physical deep Celtics held him to only 4-of-13 shooting on Sunday.
On top of that, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics shot an insane 44.9% from three in the first game. I expect some negative regression there. Expect Boston to cruise to victory, with the Celtics in no hurry to break the game open look for some more reserves to get minutes in the second half. Joe Mazz's men have NBA Championship goals and won't want to push the pace in Game 2. I love the UNDER 204 on Celtics-Heat tonight.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans
Matchup Page: Oklahoma City Thunder Vs New Orleans Pelicans, 9:30pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -7.5 (-110) | -284 | O 211.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +7.5 (-110) | +245 | U 211.5 (-110) |
Pick: Lu Dort UNDER 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-118)
Lu Dort hoisted only six shots in Game 1, culminating in six points and four rebounds. He’s scored just 25 total points across four games against New Orleans this season, and its tough to envision that changing in Game 2.
Sure, there may be some positive regression for OKC as a whole, but I expect the majority of those tertiary scoring looks to go to Chet Holmgren, and maybe some more Isiah Joe.
Jump on Dort’s UNDER 14.5 line while you still can.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
Matchup Page: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, 7pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +14.5 (-108) | +788 | O 204 (-110) |
| Boston Celtics | -14.5 (-112) | -1124 | U 204 (-110) |
Pick: Celtics -14.5 (-112)
Home teams have been absolutely dominant thus far in the NBA Playoffs, and it’s hard to see that changing Wednesday night in Boston--especially after the 20-point beatdown the Celtics put on Miami in Game 1. Boston has handled the Heat rather easily all four times the teams have met this season, and we expect more of the same in TD Garden with Miami still missing injured guards Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans
Matchup Page: Oklahoma City Thunder Vs New Orleans Pelicans, 9:30pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -7.5 (-110) | -284 | O 211.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +7.5 (-110) | +245 | U 211.5 (-110) |
Pick: Thunder -7.5 (-110)
OKC received a rude playoff awakening in Game 1 of this series when New Orleans, even without injured forward Zion Williamson, nearly knocked off the West’s top seed on their home court. That showing was out of character for a Thunder team that had covered four straight to close the regular season, and we don’t see them playing that badly again in Game 2. New Orleans can’t guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and expect a return to form from the rest of a squad that averages 120 points per game.
