Another big two game slate in the NBA Playoffs this Monday night as the Celtics kick off their 2nd round series with the 76ers followed by Game 2 in the Denver-Phoenix matchup.
Check out our preview and betting tips for both big games below.
NBA Playoffs Betting Picks - Friday April 28th
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, 7.30pm (ET)
Just one night after the TD Garden was rocking for a massive Bruins Game 7, the Celtics will back it up in their home arena as they host the 76ers in Game 1 of their 2nd round matchup. The Celtics won 4-2 against the Hawks in the first round, and the age old debate of rest vs rust will come into play here, as the 76ers have not played since all the way back on the 22nd of April after blowing out the Nets 4-0.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum was in scintilating form during Round 1, putting up 27.2 points and 10 rebounds per game. For the 76ers it was much more of an even spread given the dominance over the Nets. The key storyline heading into the series on the Philly front, however, will be the health of MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who missed the final game of the Nets series with a knee injury and is currently listed as ‘doubtful’ for Game 1.
With Embiid in doubt, the Celtics predictably start as pretty heavy favourites here with the line currently at 10.0. They have been fantastic at home this season, maintaining a 32-9 record straight up at TD Garden and a 24-17 record against the spread. If Embiid is indeed out here, back them to cover this spread.
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets
Ball Arena, 10.00pm (ET)
The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead at home in their Round 2 series against the Suns on Saturday night. Jamal Murray put up 34 points while star sentre Nikola Jokic had 24 and 19 rebounds in the win. On the other side of the ball, dynamic scoring duo Kevin Durant and Devin Booker put up 56 points between them, but it wasn’t enough as the Suns went down by 18 points.
The Suns will need to get more from their supporting cast if they are to compete against arguably the deepest team in the Western Conference. Denver got valuable contributions from a range of role players, with six Nuggets in total scoring in double digits. Suns center DeAndre Ayton will also need to lift his game defensively to deal with the two time MVP in Jokic.
Think the Suns have the wherewithal to bounce back here. I’m giving them a chance to square the ledger and I like the value in the 4.5 point headstart we are getting here.
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