As the NBA Playoffs progress Tuesday, three critical Game 5s are set to take place, with high stakes for two of them.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks both face daunting 3-1 deficits in their respective series. These teams must secure victories in their upcoming games to avoid elimination and keep their title dreams alive. The pressure is particularly intense, as a loss would end their season.
Here are five NBA wagers you should consider Tuesday:
Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks – 7:00 p.m. ET
The New York Knicks secured a critical 97-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Jalen Brunson was instrumental in the win, delivering a playoff career-high performance with a double-double of 47 points and 10 assists. O.G. Anunoby also contributed significantly with a double-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and blocking three shots. For the Sixers, Joel Embiid led the way with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks.
The series now shifts back to Madison Square Garden in New York, where the Knicks will aim to close out the series on their home court. Meanwhile, the Sixers face a must-win situation to extend their season and will be fighting to force a Game 6.
Tyrese Maxey over 5.5 assists: -130 (bet365)
Maxey has demonstrated strong playmaking capabilities throughout this series against the Knicks, surpassing the 5.5-assist threshold in three of the four games. His performance has been marked by a high number of potential assists, showing his consistent involvement in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Specifically: In Game 1, he recorded four assists from 10 potential assists; in Game 2, he recorded 10 assists from 16 potential assists; in Game 3, he recorded seven assists from nine potential assists; In Game 4, he recorded six assists from 12 potential assists.
Given this trend and his consistent ability to generate significant assist opportunities, it’s reasonable to expect Maxey to again exceed 5.5 assists in the upcoming Game 5 on Tuesday night, as he continues to facilitate effectively for the 76ers.
Tyrese Maxey over 5.5 assists
-130
Josh Hart over 12.5 rebounds: +125 (Pinnacle)
Hart has consistently demonstrated his rebounding prowess throughout the season and particularly in this playoff series. His performance data in the playoffs shows a strong pattern: In Game 1, he secured 13 rebounds from 23 rebounding opportunities; in Game 2, he secured 15 rebounds from 26 opportunities; in Game 3, he experienced a dip, securing only four rebounds from 13 opportunities; in Game 4, he bounced back impressively with 17 rebounds from 24 opportunities.
This track record, combined with his ability to effectively utilize rebounding chances, underscores his capability in this aspect of the game. Given his historical performance and recent playoff success in rebounding, it’s reasonable to expect Hart to surpass the 12.5-rebound mark once again in the upcoming game.
Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 8 p.m. ET
The Orlando Magic evened their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a decisive 112-89 victory at home in Game 4. Franz Wagner played a pivotal role in the win, delivering a standout performance with a double-double of 34 points and 13 rebounds. On the Cavaliers’ side, Jarrett Allen was the top scorer, contributing 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds. As the series shifts back to Cleveland, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and address any weaknesses as they prepare for the crucial upcoming game. This return to Cleveland sets the stage for an intense continuation of the series, with both teams aiming to take a critical lead.
Cavaliers to win; Jarrett Allen to record a double-double: +100 (bet365)
This NBA playoff series between the Cavaliers and the Magic has displayed a contrast in home-court advantage. The Cavaliers took a commanding 2-0 lead initially, with blowout victories in Games 1 and 2 held in Cleveland. However, as the venue shifted to Orlando for Games 3 and 4, the Magic responded emphatically by equalizing the series with two dominant wins of their own.
As the series returns to Cleveland for Game 5, the Cavaliers will look to leverage their home-court advantage to regain the lead. The pattern of home teams winning decisively suggests that Cleveland might have the upper hand in the upcoming game.
Allen’s performance has been a key factor throughout the series. During the regular season, Allen consistently excelled against the Magic, achieving a double-double in every matchup where he logged significant minutes. He maintained this high level of play in the first two games of this series, grabbing 18 and 20 rebounds, respectively. However, in Orlando, his impact was slightly diminished, as he fell just short of double-double performances in Games 3 and 4, partly due to reduced playing time. With the series back in Cleveland, Allen and the Cavaliers have an opportunity to exploit their home advantage and Allen’s rebounding prowess. If Allen can maximize his minutes and rebounding opportunities as he did in the earlier home games, he will be pivotal in Cleveland’s efforts to take a 3-2 series lead.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 9:30 p.m. ET
With key players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard sidelined, the Pacers capitalized by taking Game 4 with a 126-113 victory over the Bucks. Myles Turner was exceptional, leading the Pacers with 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. His performance was highlighted by making seven three-pointers, tying the record for most threes made by a centre in a playoff game, a record he now shares with Nikola Jokic. For the Bucks, Brook Lopez stepped up, leading his team with 27 points and nine rebounds.
As the series shifts back to Milwaukee, the Bucks face a crucial game to extend their season, while the Pacers will attempt to leverage their recent momentum to close out the series.
Tyrese Haliburton over 2.5 threes made: -155 (DraftKings)
Haliburton’s approach to three-point shooting has notably shifted in the latter part of this series. After relatively conservative attempts from beyond the arc in the first two games, where he attempted three and seven threes respectively, Haliburton significantly increased his volume in Games 3 and 4, attempting 12 threes in each. His success rate has also been impressive, especially in the last game where he made five threes.
Given this trend of increased three-point attempts and his recent accuracy, Haliburton is well-positioned to continue this high-volume shooting. If he maintains his current approach, it’s highly probable that he will surpass the mark of 2.5 made three-pointers in the upcoming game. His recent performances suggest a growing confidence in his shooting after the slump he was facing in the second half of the season.
Tyrese Haliburton over 2.5 threes made
-155
Myles Turner over 2.5 threes made: +120 (bet365)
Turner has been exceptional from beyond the arc throughout this series, consistently making more than 2.5 three-pointers in each game. With a total of 35 three-point attempts over four games, Turner is averaging nearly nine attempts per game. This high volume, coupled with his proven efficiency, strongly indicates that he can be expected to surpass the 2.5 three-pointer threshold again in Game 5.
