Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday where there are three crucial Eastern Conference Game 5’s on the schedule. Tip-off in the first game is set for 9am (AEST), and we have provided our best bets for each clash below. Good luck to everyone following!
Also, make sure to head over to our NBA Tips regularly, as we’ll be providing free tips for all the major games in the NBA post-season!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Wednesday, May 1st 2024
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden, 9:00am (AEST)
Series Score: New York Knicks leads 3-1
Unable to successfully defend homecourt in Game 4, the 76ers are now on the brink of elimination as they trail the Knicks 3-1 in this best of 7 series. Making the task even tougher, Embiid and co. will be on the road on Wednesday and in a building where they’ve failed to beat the Knicks in each of their last four playoff encounters. Embiid has been playing hurt but still managed a 27/10/6 stat line last outing, although he was nowhere near as potent as the Knicks’ superstar in Jalen Brunson who poured in 47 points along with 10 assists. And with Embiid underdone and the home support behind them in Game 5, I expect the Knicks to wrap things up and move onto the second round.
New York Knicks -3.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, 10:00am (AEST)
Series Score: Series tied at 2-2
The old saying goes ‘a playoff series doesn’t start until someone wins on the road’, which means we’re still waiting for the Magic and the Cavaliers to get underway. Both clubs have easily defended home court through four games, with the home side winning by 10+ points on each occasion. The Magic most recently defended their home building with two emphatic victories, with the cumulative margin being 61 points across the games. Interestingly, the home team has now won each of the last nine playoff meeting between these teams, which certainly doesn’t bode well for the Magic’s chances in Game 5; however, they managed to find some winning matchups in Games 3 & 4 which they’ll be trying to exploit again on Wednesday, regardless of where the game is played. And at better than $2.50 odds, I think they’re worth having something on to take the series lead.
Orlando Magic to Win
$2.65 (1 Unit)
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
Fiserv Forum, 11:30am (AEST)
Series Score: Indiana Pacers leads 3-1
Injuries have dominated the headlines in this first round series between the Pacers and the Bucks and that remains true ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5. Bucks’ superstar duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both unlikely to play, which is why the Pacers are currently priced as the heavy favourites to wrap things up and move onto Round 2. However, the aforementioned duo are yet to be confirmed outs, which does make it tricky to find value in a game with so much uncertainty. However, the current total points line has been set at only 214.5 which has easily been eclipsed in the last three games, and taking the overs looks to be the only viable play at this point.
Over 214.5 Points
$1.90 (1 Unit)
