We’ve got two exciting games on the schedule for Friday, May 10. Let’s look at the best bets for both of them.
Friday’s Best NBA Bets
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers (-7) | O/U 222.5 (-112/-108)
Although the Knicks have won both games, the matchups have been nothing short of exciting. Indiana has led going into both halves, but New York has found a way to get the win. That way to win has been having Jalen Brunson on the court. All of Manhattan gasped as they saw Brunson limping to the locker room. He would channel his inner Willis Reed in the second half by scoring 24 of his 29 points en route to the win. Brunson is questionable but will likely play, but someone who will sit is OG Anunoby, as he left Game 2 with a hamstring injury. That will be a huge blow for the Knicks, especially on defense.
The playoffs are when we find out who the fraudulent teams are. We know the Pacers have a high-tempo and captivating offense, but the defensive flaws outweigh that in this series. The Knicks play at a fast tempo also, especially off the defensive rebound, and they can score on the fast break.
Indiana’s home atmosphere could be better, but will it be enough to avoid the 3-0 deficit? Missing Anunoby will be tough for the Knicks, but they can overcome that. We’re seeing high scores no matter who is on the court, and that will continue for this game.
Pick: Over 222.5 Total Points (-112)
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (-4.5) | O/U 204.5 (-110/-110)
You can’t argue that the Timberwolves are the best team in the NBA Playoffs. They are 6-0, winning five by double digits, second in points scored per game (114.2), fourth in points allowed (98.7), and second with a 15.5 scoring differential. No one is shining more than Anthony Edwards as he’s third in points (32.3) and shooting (54.7%) from the floor. Timberwolves showed in Game 2 that they are ready for any challenge as they held the Nuggets to a season-low 80 points even without defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert.
It has been an awful two games for Denver, as they have yet to reach the century mark in either game. The Nuggets have not found any answer to Minnesota’s half-court pressure defense, especially Jamal Murray, whose frustration boiled over when he threw a heating pad onto the court toward a referee. The Wolves have no problem allowing no space to whoever has the ball, and it is working, as they’ve forced 31 turnovers in these two games.
If Denver can find a way to set up screens and get better shot opportunities, they’ll be able to at least contend in these games. Unfortunately, no one has been able to make those adjustments.
Pick: Timberwolves -4.5 (-110)
