The second round of the NBA playoffs is here.
After a first round that was filled with tough and physical games, what are the best bets to make in the conference semifinals?
NBA betting experts Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Jim McCormick and Steve Alexander provide the bets they like most for each series.
Odds are updated as of publication. For latest odds go to ESPN BET
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
Pacers to win series (+360)
I have argued with myself all season that the Cavaliers are not as good as their record, and the Pacers dominated Milwaukee, not only in their first-round series, but throughout the entire season. The Cavaliers are clearly a better and much deeper team than the Bucks, but the Pacers are also deep and won the season series against Cleveland 3-1. This one could go seven games, and the Pacers have a real chance to win. — Alexander
Cavaliers to win series 4-3 (+370)
The Cavaliers won’t steamroll the Pacers, but they’re built to win this series. Indiana’s offense and depth will keep it competitive, but the Pacers’ defense will ultimately be their undoing. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are capable of containing Tyrese Haliburton’s penetration in the paint. While the Pacers won the regular-season series 3-1 and finished 15-4 to close the campaign, expect Cleveland to outlast them in a competitive series. — Moody
Cavaliers -1.5 games (-180)
Put me down as the one who expects the Cavaliers to win and win convincingly. Yes, the Pacers won the season series, but that is misleading. Two of those wins came in April after the Cavs had clinched the top seed and startied benching players. And the Pacers’ first win came before the trade deadline deal that sent De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland and with Ty Jerome out. The Cavaliers team at full strength is significantly better than the Pacers and can beat them at their own style. My official pick is Cavs in six games, but I could see them taking this series in five. — Snellings
Series correct score: Cavaliers 4-1 (+250)
A theme developed when looking at these Eastern Conference matchups; the higher seeds have massive advantages that will prove difficult to overcome in a long series. The Pacers have been a great two-way team for much of the calendar year, yet there is another tier of offense in the half court and in turnover-driven transition production from Cleveland that should overwhelm Indiana. This isn’t just strategy; the Cavaliers have much more size and skill in the frontcourt and more depth and playmaking talent in the backcourt. — McCormick
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Knicks win series (+500)
I took the Knicks to win the East before the season started, so I’m going to stick with them again against the defending champs. Boston swept them 4-0 during the regular season, but one of those games went to overtime and another was an opening-night loss. Jalen Brunson, simply put, is the best player in this series, and I’m not sure that Boston has an answer for a healthy Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks’ lack of depth is a huge problem, but everyone is healthy and New York is a good road team. If the Knicks can stay healthy, they can shock the world. — Alexander
Series total games over 5.5 (+105)
The Knicks struggled against the elite teams all season, so before the playoffs began, I gave them no shot in a series against the Celtics. But Boston is beat up right now, with Jrue Holiday out the past three games with a hamstring injury on top of Jayson Tatum (wrist) and Jaylen Brown (knee) also dealing with injuries. The playoffs lend themselves to short rotations and big minutes, which the Knicks like to do anyway, and that means more time with their best lineup on the court. With the way Brunson is playing right now, I see the Knicks winning at least twice in this series and pushing the series total to six or seven games. — Snellings
Exact series total games — six (+295)
The Knicks have struggled against the Celtics, losing eight of their past nine matchups. They’re also coming off a hard-fought series against the Detroit Pistons. While New York will give Boston more of a challenge than Orlando did in Round 1, the Celtics are simply too potent offensively with Tatum and Brown and have excellent depth, including Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard. They’re also stout defensively. Boston won’t sweep New York, but I envision it closing the series with relative ease. — Moody
Series correct score — Celtics 4-2 (+400)
The Knicks simply can’t score with this Celtics team over a full seven-game series. But the Magic were able to find success against Boston by closing everything out when possible and allowing them to live at the rim, which led to lower-scoring, closer games. There should be opportunities for the Knicks to make this a competitive series, but ultimately the Celtics’ wave of wings and 3-pointers will prove too much. — McCormick
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
Exact series total games — five (+175)
Over the summer, I predicted that the Thunder were going to win it all this year, and nothing I’ve seen thus far has changed my mind. However, any team with “Playoff Jamal Murray” and Nikola Jokic is a threat to not only win games, but the series. It’s tough to find value in this series, but I do like Denver to get at least one game, and the +175 seems like a reasonable payout if the Thunder can win 4-1. The Thunder could sweep, or Denver could win more than one game, but five games feels like the smartest bet to me. The teams split the season series 2-2, but I’ll be surprised if Denver gets that many wins in this one. — Alexander
Series correct score — Thunder 4-1 (+200)
Building on Alexander’s take for a five-game outcome, it’s somewhat clear from betting markets that a short series is expected. A one-star team faces a juggernaut that is rested and ready to go. Jokic was astoundingly good against the Clippers and it still went the distance. At some point, even with his clear greatness on display, there is a limit to the competitiveness of that model when faced with a Thunder team this deep, athletic and skilled. If it is indeed a short series, this is how it would play out. — McCormick
Series correct score — Thunder 4-2 (+450)
The Thunder are the better team in this series, but the Nuggets have enough offensive playmakers to win a couple of games, especially with three-time MVP Jokic leading the charge. Denver’s momentum from a Game 7 win over the LA Clippers could carry into an early home victory, and the Thunder might be rusty after a long layoff. Still, Oklahoma City’s depth, defense and star power should better position them to win the series. This bet offers strong upside without the risk of backing the Nuggets outright. — Moody
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. TBD
This will be added once the series is finalized. The Timberwolves will play the winner of the Houston Rockets/Golden State Warriors series.
