Best NBA Playoff Bets for Friday, May ninth: Cavaliers, Thunder in Must-Win Spots | Deadspin.com

Today’s convention semifinal video games are going to be the most important for the contributors. Cleveland wishes a win to keep away from a 0-3 hollow, and Denver wishes to bop again from that vast loss in Game 2. But does that want lead them to one in all nowadays’s “Best NBA Playoff Bets?”

Let’s dive in and in finding out. Here’s my record of the most efficient NBA playoff bets for Friday, May 9:

Cleveland Cavaliers (-2.5) vs. Indiana Pacers (+126), o/u 229.5

Over 229.5 at -110 (odds by means of DraftKings)

The Cavs just about gained Game 2 in spite of coping with accidents to a number of key participants. Whether they get any individual again or now not, Cleveland will probably be taking part in with the starvation of a staff looking to keep away from a hollow nobody has ever climbed out of — the feared 0-3 deficit.

With Evan Mobley now not being 100 % if he does play, the Cavs will fight to decelerate the Pacers at the offensive finish. As lengthy as Donovan Mitchell is lively, Cleveland will rating issues. The over has hit in each video games this sequence and is 4-1 at the season between those two groups.

Donovan Mitchell, below 3.5 made 3-pointers at -140
It’s tempting to head for the over below the belief that Mitchell will be taking a look to place on a display this night. However, there’s no denying how poorly he’s been taking pictures from at the back of the arc — 2-for-18 within the sequence. It gained’t get more uncomplicated with the sequence in Indianapolis.

Oklahoma City Thunder (-5) vs. Denver Nuggets (+170), o/u 233.5

Oklahoma City -5 (odds by means of DraftKings)
Game 1 on this sequence was once a cast basketball recreation. Game 2, then again, was once extra of a masterclass by way of the Thunder, who scored 87 issues within the first part by myself. OKC will have long past scoreless within the 3rd and nonetheless held a lead going into the fourth.

It’s now not remarkable for a chain to head backward and forward within the playoffs with groups buying and selling off dominant performances. Denver definitely has the workforce to place up a just right battle, particularly at house — and they’re going to — however they’ll fall brief to the hugely awesome staff.

Nikola Jokic, over 8.5 assists at -140
To file 10+ assists at +115
With how Game 2 performed out, it’s cheap to assume Nikola Jokic will probably be extra decided to get to the basket himself in Game 3. Yes, however a part of what makes him probably the most highest gamers within the NBA nowadays is that he is aware of when to proportion the ball — and does so.

In two video games at house vs. OKC this season, he recorded 16 and 13 assists. After posting simply six in Games 1 and 2, be expecting him to step his recreation up in that regard this night. This recreation will see a equivalent efficiency from him.