The 2023-24 NBA regular season is over and we have turned the page to the NBA Playoffs. Throughout the postseason, Jonathan Von Tobel will continue to provide you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the playoff games on Thursday, May 2nd. Also, check out our NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our series previews and additional postseason content.
We also put together an NBA Playoffs Betting Primer with in-depth analysis for everything you’ll see the next couple of weeks.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 2
NBA Best Bets Today – May 2
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers – 9:00 pm ET
The Knicks had a golden opportunity to close out this series in Game 5, but Tyrese Maxey had other plans. Maxey’s nuclear late-game shooting, combined with a bone-headed play from Mitchell Robinson, allowed the Sixers to erase a late six-point deficit in regulation and ultimately go on to win in overtime. Now, it’s hard to see this series failing to go seven games, as Philadelphia has home-court advantage in Game 6 — along with some serious momentum on its side.
The Sixers also found a lineup that gave the Knicks trouble late in Game 5. Philadelphia won with a lineup of Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Nicolas Batum, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid. Outside of Maxey, that’s a lot of size on the court for the Sixers. That gives Philadelphia the ability to really defend New York with some physicality, and it also gives the team some good overall length to contest shots. The Sixers also need the added size to prevent the Knicks from dominating the glass. Look for Nick Nurse to go to this five-man unit quite a bit tonight.
I also think Joel Embiid will be a lot better in Game 6 than he was in Game 5. Embiid finished that one with a triple-double, but he also shot 7 for 19 from the floor and had nine turnovers. Embiid didn’t look right physically in that one, and it also seemed like he was a little out of it mentally. But look for the superstar to play a lot better at home.
I’d also say to keep an eye on Jalen Brunson here. The Knicks guard has the highest usage rate of anybody since the start of the playoffs, and he looked a little worn down in overtime in Game 5. Brunson has been a force offensively in the last three games in this series, and the Knicks can’t afford a dud from him in Game 6. Without Julius Randle, they’re very reliant on Brunson playing efficient basketball.
Bet: Sixers ML (-150 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – May 2
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers – 6:30 pm ET
Since having zero rebounds in Game 1, Andrew Nembhard is averaging 3.8 rebounds per game over the last four games in this series. And perhaps more importantly, Nembhard is averaging 7.8 rebound chances per game in that span. Nembhard might only be 6-foot-4, but he has been active on the glass in the postseason. And that includes a little extra effort in crashing the offensive boards. With that in mind, I like the idea of taking Nembhard to grab four rebounds at plus-money odds tonight. Nembhard has hit the four-rebound mark in two of the five games in this series, and one would think he’d have an extra pep in his step tonight. Indiana absolutely must close out this series this evening, as Milwaukee is starting to get healthier. The Pacers don’t want to have to go to Milwaukee for a road Game 7. And overall, playing at home will give Nembhard a little extra adrenaline to go up and come down with some rebounds.
Bet: Nembhard Over 3.5 Rebounds (+130)
2023-24 Record: 348-375-3 (-8.93 units)
