NBA betting: Four bets that stand out for Wednesday’s playoff games
We’ve got a pair of Game 2’s in the NBA on Wednesday night, with both road teams up 1-0. In fact, the road team has won every game in the second round so far.
After a poor shooting night from 3 in Game 1, the Boston Celtics look to even the series against the New York Knicks in Game 2. Out west, the Denver Nuggets stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1, and will look to take a 2-0 lead as they head back to Denver after tonight’s game.
To see how all of the early-series upsets have changed the futures odds, click here.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Bets that stand out for Wednesday
Jrue Holiday over 3.5 assists (-115). The Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Celtics on Monday. Boston took 45 uncontested three-pointers and missed 32 of them-both the most in any NBA playoff game since ESPN began tracking in the 2013-14 season. The Celtics will look to bounce back in Game 2. Jrue Holiday has played 33 or more minutes in three straight games, clearing this line in two of them. He’s also hit this mark in 67% of the games where he’s played 33 or more minutes this season. -Moody
Jayson Tatum over 43.5 total points, rebounds and assists (-110). Playoffs are about matchups, and the Knicks just have no answer for Tatum. On Monday he struggled with his shot, making only 7-of-23 from the field and 4-of-15 from behind the arc… and he still combined for 45 total points (23), rebounds (16) and assists (6). In his five games against the Knicks this season, Tatum has averaged 31.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 6.8 APG ( 46.8 PAR). Tatum also has a history of big games after playoffs losses, so he should be primed to put a big number on the board tonight. -Snellings
Nikola Jokic over 13.5 rebounds (+105). Jokic has had a great deal of success against the Thunder, as he’s cleared this line in three of five games against them this season, including his past two. He’s averaged an impressive 25.6 rebound chances per game in those matchups and has played 35 or more minutes in each. As an elite rebounder who could see close to 40 minutes in Game 2, Jokic is well positioned to clear this line again. -Moody
Russell Westbrook over 16.5 total points and rebounds (-110). Westbrook is just playing at a higher level right now than his props reflect. Westbrook has now surpassed 16.5 P+R in 12 of his last 15 games, which translates to an 80% hit rate. Westbrook has stepped up for the Nuggets as a playoffs-tested veteran, particularly with Michael Porter Jr. ailing physically, and he seems to especially relish producing against his former teams (Clippers and now Thunder). In Westbrook’s last four games against the Thunder this season, he has averaged 16.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG (22.8 PR). -Snellings
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
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New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET
Line: Knicks 10.5 (-104) | Celtics -10.5 (-110)
Money line: Knicks +400 | Celtics -600
Total: 211.5 (-104 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 2.3, straight up 58%, 215.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: None reported
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Illness); Sam Hauser, (GTD – Ankle)
Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets 10.5 (-107) | Thunder -10.5 (-107)
Money line: Nuggets +380 | Thunder -550
Total: 230.5 (-107 O, -107 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 4.9, straight up 66%, 230.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OFS – Achilles)
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OFS – Knee)
Source: espn.com