Our NBA experts 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.
A fresh chapter in the storied Knicks-Pacers rivalry has dazzled NBA fans. Can Jalen Brunson and the Knicks turn things around at Madison Square Garden after a blowout loss in Game 4? Meanwhile on the Western side of the NBA playoff bracket, both the Nuggets and Timberwolves will aim to take control of this
(Related Link) 2024 NBA Playoff Series Prices
NBA Expert Picks Results: Second Round
| Expert | Record | Units |
|---|---|---|
| David Caraviello | 7-8 | -0.64 |
| Nick Holz | 7-8 | -0.83 |
| Christopher Walder | 6-10-1 | -3.61 |
Jump To Picks
- Nick's Pick: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Player Prop
- Nick's Pick: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Player Prop
- Chris' Pick: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks OVER/UNDER
- Chris' Pick: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves OVER/UNDER
- David's Pick: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Spread
- David's Pick: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Spread
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Game 5 Preview & Picks
Matchup Page: Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET
Same-Game Parlay: Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Game 5
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | +2.5 (-115) | +118 | O 217 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -2.5 (-105) | -138 | U 217 (-110) |
Nick Holz's Pick: Tyrese Haliburton 20+ Points (-140)
While I tend to lean towards the Pacers moneyline at +118 odds, the Knicks have been so good at home this postseason. Instead, I'll ride with the Pacers All-Star to get the job done.
The real Tyrese Haliburton is officially back. Since a brutal first game, Hali has averaged 29.6 points per game across the last three contests. He's been unbelievable, shooting 55% from the field and 45.9% from three.
With Knicks dropping like flies, their perimeter defense is falling off. I like Haliburton to establish himself early, and go bucket for bucket with Brunson late if the need arises. Back the Iowa State product to score at least 20 points in Game 5.
Christopher Walder's Pick: OVER 217 Total Points (-110)
A blowout was bound to happen in this series considering the slew of injuries the Knicks are currently dealing with, so the Game 4 result reaching the UNDER when Indiana prevailed by 32 points at home isn't a shocker. Frankly, the fact that it even hovered around a possible OVER with the number set at 219.5 points is a testament to the scoring prowess of both sides being able to hit those marks.
With the matchup now shifting back to Madison Square Garden, there's enough reason to be optimistic we're getting another OVER because New York is 4-1 reaching the OVER at home this postseason. Dating back to Jan. 19, 2021, the Knicks have gone OVER five out of a possible six times in games coming off a loss of 30 points or more.
David's Pick: Indiana Pacers +2.5 (-110)
Things are trending in the wrong direction for short-handed New York, which dropped a close Game 3 in Indianapolis and then was blown out in Game 4. The Knicks are beat up, have very limited roster options, and simply can’t rely on Jalen Brunson to do everything himself. New York is gritty, and we still expect this to be a close series capable of going the distance--but the Pacers right now just have more bodies, a difference that’s starting to show on the court.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Game 5 Preview & Picks
Matchup Page: Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves, 10:30 p.m. ET
Same-Game Parlay: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game 5
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +4 (-110) | +144 | O 205.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -4 (-110) | -174 | U 205.5 (-110) |
Nick Holz's Pick: Aaron Gordon OVER 19.5 Points & Rebounds (+100)
Don't look now, but Aaron Gordon has suddenly become a key part of this series.
While he no longer possesses the All-Star level upside seen earlier in his career, Gordon was a key piece for the Nuggets during last year's NBA Championship run. He's turned himself into a phenomenal defender, and has been a matchup weapon for Mike Malone all over the floor.
Gordon went off for 27 points while shooting 11-of-12 from the field in Game 4. He's averaged over 21 points and rebound per game this series, and there's little reason to believe his production will slow with the genius of Nikola Jokic giving him three plus dunks (uncontested) per game. Gordon OVER 19.5 points and rebounds is my favorite NBA expert pick of the evening.
Christopher Walder's Pick: UNDER 205.5 Total Points (-110)
The total score hit the OVER in both games at the Target Center, both of which were also set by oddsmakers at 205.5 points. It barely eked out the OVER in Game 3 at 207 points (117-90), but wasn't even close for Game 4 at 222 points (115-107).
But Game 5 isn't in Minnesota, because we're back in the Mile High City at Ball Arena where Denver has gone UNDER in all five of its home playoff games so far. Perhaps stringing together consecutive victories on the road triggered the Nuggets' offense to be more effective in Game 5, but the trends are trends for a reason and it's safer to follow them heading into this matchup.
David's Pick: Denver Nuggets -4 (-110)
Are we off the Timberwolves bandwagon? Maybe not completely, but it’s easy to have serious doubts after the way the Nuggets handled them as road underdogs in Games 3 and 4 in Minnesota. Everything has flipped--Denver is very much starting to look like the reigning world champions, and the T-Wolves and starting to look like a young team playing at this level for the first time. Backing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in Game 5 in Mile High is the natural play--which would set up a serious gut check moment for the T-Wolves back home.
