Best bets for Bucks-Pacers, Knicks-76ers
Where the public is betting and quotes from oddsmakers on Thursday's two NBA playoff games
Apologies for the lack of content this past week, but I’m currently in the middle of a move back to the East Coast and I’m driving a car from Las Vegas — which doesn’t leave a ton of time for writing.
Wednesday night saw the Boston Celtics (-13.5) win and easily cover against the Miami Heat to finish that series in five games. In the Western Conference, despite Luka Doncic’s knee injury, the Dallas Mavericks (-2.5) blew out the Los Angeles Clippers 123-93. The Mavs are now up 3-2 in that series.
Overall in the NBA Playoffs, home teams are 24-14 straight-up, but only 18-20 against the spread, per Patrick Everson. Unders are 21-17.
Here are some insights from oddsmakers on Thursday’s two NBA Playoff games, along with public betting splits from several sportsbooks and a few best bets from handicappers. I’ll update this throughout the day as I get more information.
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers (-5.5, 216.5)
DraftKings: 54% of bets, 44% of $$ on Bucks +5.5
BetMGM: 70% of bets, 84% of $$ on Bucks +5.5
BetRivers: 71% of bets, 50% of $$ on Bucks +6
Most bet (tickets) Bucks-Pacers player props at BetMGM
Bobby Portis under 36.5 points/rebounds/assists (-135)
Myles Turner under 2.5 three-pointers (-110)
Khris Middleton under 9.5 rebounds (-150)
Myles Turner over 31.5 points/rebounds/assists (-115)
Myles Turner under 1.5 assists (+120)
Most bet (tickets) Bucks-Pacers player props at BetRivers
Pascal Siakam over 3.5 assists (-115)
Tyrese Haliburton to record a double-double (-132)
Pascal Siakam over 0.5 made 3-pointers (-305)
“Before the Giannis and Dame upgrade, the money was coming in on the Pacers and the over. Since then, it’s been more Bucks money at +6.5. That number certainly will be changing when their status is confirmed, so this is a fluid situation.” — Halvor Egeland, BetMGM NBA trader