Thursday’s two-game NBA Playoffs slate is sure to be another exciting one. ESPN will handle the doubleheader, featuring the Brooklyn Nets looking to go up 3-0 on the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. EST) while the Los Angeles Clippers will look to even it up at one game apiece against the Utah Jazz.
Last night, I split the outcomes of the one game between the Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns – won on taking the under, got my soul crushed taking the Nuggets. That keeps my playoffs record at a similar 17-20 ATS, after a 57% regular season. Here are two more free NBA picks to help increase your bankroll.
Table of contents
- Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks (-3) – Total: 234
- Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz (-3) – Total: 222.5
Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks (-3) – Total: 234
As a Nets fan, I need to place a disclaimer at the beginning of this pick. Every time I pick against my own team, they lose. So, here we go…
I cannot be the only one surprised to see the Bucks favored by three points tonight. And it’s not necessarily because the Nets kicked their asses in Game 2 by 39 points (it got as bad as 49 points at one moment). It’s because the oddsmakers are clearly showing us that Milwaukee will win tonight. They should have at least teased the people and let the Nets be the favorite.
At the beginning of the series, I did say that the home team would probably win every game- leading to a Nets 4-3 victory. The oddsmakers seem to reason with me somewhat, in that it won’t be a complete Brooklyn sweep. We all know that Milwaukee has a pretty rawkus crowd that will get them fired up, and even beat Brooklyn twice in three days right before the end of the regular season. In those two games, the Nets were without James Harden.
On the betting landscape, the Nets are getting about 70% of both bets made and money wagered. Hate to do it, but I’ve got to go against everyone here. I won’t make a play on the total, but it’s worth noting that the number of bets is right around 50/50 while the under is getting 75% of the money. So far, both games in this series have gone under the total.
Betting Pick: Bucks (-3)
Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz (-3) – Total: 222.5
I picked the Clippers in Game 1, and I’ll be going right back there tonight. There are a lot of admirable qualities about the Jazz- best regular season record, great home crowd, exceptional 1-2 punch with Donovan Mitchell–Rudy Gobert.
However, the Clippers have Kawhi Leonard… and a pissed-off Paul George looking to make amends. Not to mention, Rajon Rondo is on a nationally televised game. Utah was one of the best home teams this season (34-6 SU/26-14 ATS) and had a whole six days of rest before Game 1 – and still only beat LA by three points.
Looking at the betting landscape, the number of bets and money wagered is right around 50/50. However, the noticeable difference is on the total, with 67% of the bets made on the over and a whopping 90% of money wagered going towards the under. Based on those numbers, I will now be taking the under as well.
Betting Pick: Clippers (+3) / Under 222.5
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