It’s a two-pack of NBA Playoff action tonight, and let’s face it: every game now is high stakes.
First, you’ve got the reeling East-leading Cavs trying to get back into their series in Indiana. For the nightcap, it’s the Nuggets hosting the Thunder as the teams battle for the all-important 2-1 series lead.
I’ve mixed the intrigue into my NBA picks and pieced together this 3-leg same-game parlay for Friday, May 9.
Today's best NBA Playoff parlay: May 6
OKC/DEN Over 116 1H
CLE/IND Over 229.5
Cavaliers -2.5 1H
Pick #1: Thunder vs Nuggets Over 116 1H
Let’s start out West, where I think the Oklahoma City Thunder showed their teeth after a rusty-looking Game 1. The Thunder dropped a record-breaking 87 points on the Denver Nuggets in the first half en route to a 149-106 blowout victory.
Denver and OKC combined for 143 first-half points, and their halftime total for Friday is at 116 points. That’s more in line with Game 1, when the teams combined for 110 after two quarters.
This is a bet on the Thunder finding that gear and not turning back, with Denver needing to match them bucket-for-bucket if they have any chance of hanging in Game 3.
The Nuggets have the worst scoring defense left standing in the playoffs, going against the team leading the postseason in scoring at 124.7 points per game.
Pick #2: Cavaliers vs Pacers Over 229.5
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ total domination over Miami has skewed the numbers, as they currently sit in fourth in points allowed at 103.8. But if you’ve been watching their series with the Indiana Pacers, you’ll know Indy can get to almost whatever action they want to generate offense.
Over the last two games, Cleveland is allowing 120.5 points per game — only Denver is worse in that little span — and the Pacers are shooting 52.4% from the field and a lethal 46.9% from deep.
I don’t know if Cleveland gets the win, but their offense is good enough to get them there. They’re second in scoring at 122.5 points per game, and save for some crumbling possessions in the half court in crunch time, scoring hasn’t been a problem.
These teams have hit the Over in four of the last five meetings and should be up there again.
Pick #3: Cavaliers -2.5 1H
In a desperation scenario — we all know that no team down 3-0 has ever come back to win a series in the NBA Playoffs — Cleveland will throw everything they have into getting Game 3.
Despite a raucous Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd and a lineup that could still be missing Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter, they should establish themselves early and build a first-half lead like they did in Game 2.
It likely won’t be 11 points, but enough breathing room to feel good about themselves, and — most importantly — cover this leg of your parlay.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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