NBA Betting Picks For Today's Playoff Games

NBA Playoffs: Betting Picks From BetQL

Welcome, basketball bettors, to your daily courtside companion for NBA betting! In this article, we will provide you with NBA betting picks and in-depth expert analysis backed by our BetQL model to give you an edge and help you win more bets.

Our team of analysts has sifted through the stats, dissected the matchups, and deciphered the storylines unfolding on the court, so scroll down to check out our favorite NBA bets for tonight. Also, be sure to subscribe to BetQL to get NBA picks from our computer model!

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NBA Betting Picks: May 9

NBA Total Pick (O/U): Cavaliers Team Total Under 98.5 vs. Celtics

The Cavs have been brutal on the road this postseason, dropping to 0-4 away from home with three of those games coming via blowouts. They lost Game 1 to the Celtics by 25 points on Tuesday with a final score of 120-95. 

Part of their problem is their defense. Cleveland’s defensive numbers look fairly impressive on paper, allowing just 102.8 points per game in the playoffs, but we can’t overlook the fact that the Cavs faced the Magic in the first round. Orlando had one of the worst offenses all season, so holding them to just over 100 points really isn’t all that impressive. 

The Cavs offense is also only averaging 95.8 points per game over their last eight games, ranking 14th among all playoff teams. They’re shooting just 28.3% from 3-point range and only knocking down 8.9 made threes per game. That’s not going to get the job done against Boston who has the third-best defensive rating at 100.9. 

The Celtics held Miami to under 95 points in four of their five games during round one. And after holding the Cavs to just 95 points on Tuesday, I think it’s fair to expect a similar trend in this series. Outside of Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland doesn’t have another high-level scorer who has been consistent this postseason. It’s seen big performances from Darius Garland and Evan Mobley at times, but with Jarrett Allen sidelined, the scoring load has fallen heavily on Mitchell. That’s not sustainable against this Celtics defense, which is why I’ll be looking at Cleveland to stay under its team total until it proves me wrong. 

NBA Against the Spread Pick (ATS): Thunder -5 vs. Mavericks

The Thunder have dominated their opponents this postseason, winning their last four games by a combined 83 points. They beat the Mavs in convincing fashion in Game 1 thanks to an offensive outburst in the second half, outscoring Dallas 55-42.

OKC also benefited from a poor shooting night from both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving who finished with 19 and 20 points, respectively. Doncic has been dealing with a lingering knee injury and it’s clear that he isn’t 100%. He told reporters after the game that he doesn’t expect to find any relief from the injury until he has significant time off to rest it. Without Doncic at his best, I don't see the Mavs being able to keep up with one of the most efficient offenses in the league. The Thunder are shooting 40.1% from deep, which leads all playoff teams, and they're second in 3-point makes per game at 13.8.

The 16-4 run the Mavs went on to end the regular season was largely a result of great 3-point shooting, however, that was nowhere to be found in Game 1. Dallas was just 34.3% on 12-35 from deep and it's hard to see that number getting significantly better based on how good OKC's defense is. The Mavs are also at a disadvantage in the frontcourt with Maxi Kleber sidelined and Dereck Lively looking lost in Game 1. I don't think they'll have what it takes to cover +5 tonight, so I'll back the Thunder laying the points at home.

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How To Bet NBA Using BetQL

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Here are a few of the different type of model picks and bets you'll get with BetQL:

NBA Moneyline Bets

Moneyline bets in the NBA are a popular choice for bettors. It's a straightforward wager where you simply predict which team will win the game outright. Our NBA experts meticulously analyze team matchups, player performances, and historical data to deliver expert moneyline picks that maximize your chances of success. With BetQL's cutting-edge tools and expert insights, you can confidently place your NBA moneyline bets.

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NBA Over/Under (Total) Bets

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NBA Player Props

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