The NBA playoffs are set for a thrilling Monday night lineup, featuring critical matchups in the ongoing series.
The Miami Heat will face the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the New Orleans Pelicans, both in their fourth games of the series. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will clash with the Denver Nuggets in a crucial fifth game, where elimination is a potential outcome. With elimination on the line, the stage is now perfectly set for the upcoming games for the playoffs, scheduled for Monday night.
Here are five NBA wagers you should consider Monday:
Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat – 7:30 p.m. ET
The Boston Celtics regained control of their series against the Miami Heat, taking a 2-1 lead with a decisive 104-84 victory in Game 3. The win was a true team effort, led by standout performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who both contributed 22 points. Tatum complemented his scoring with 11 rebounds and six assists, while Brown added eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block to his stat line. On the Heat’s side, Bam Adebayo led the scoring effort with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Bam Adebayo over 19.5 points: -108 (DraftKings)
Adebayo has consistently surpassed scoring expectations in the matchups against the Celtics this season, including playoff games. He has exceeded 19.5 points in five out of six encounters, scoring 20, 21, 24, 22, and 27 points, respectively. In the one game he fell short, he scored exactly 19 points. With key players like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier sidelined, Adebayo has taken on a larger offensive role, evidenced by an increase in his shot attempts. Given his track record and increased field goal attempts, Adebayo is well-positioned to score over 19.5 points in their next game against the Celtics on Monday night.
Bam Adebayo over 19.5 points
-108
Jaylen Brown over 1.5 threes made: -175 (BetMGM)
Brown has consistently excelled at hitting three-pointers in matchups against the Heat this season, surpassing the line of 1.5 threes made in all games except the most recent one, where he experienced a shooting slump, going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. Prior to Game 3, Brown had a strong track record, hitting three, four, three, three, and four three-pointers in previous games against the Heat. Given his proven ability and historical performance, it’s reasonable to anticipate a rebound in his shooting form. Expect Brown to easily clear the line of over 1.5 threes made in the next game.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans – 8:30 p.m. ET
The Thunder have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead following a convincing 106-85 victory in Game 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way in the win, delivering a comprehensive performance with 24 points, five rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and a block. Brandon Ingram led the scoring effort for the Pelicans, managing 19 points and four rebounds. Now facing elimination, the Pelicans are under immense pressure to secure a win in Monday’s game to keep their championship hopes alive.
Jalen Williams over 25.5 points + rebounds: -110 (bet365)
Williams has shown persistent performances against the Pelicans this season, surpassing the combined points and rebounds line in five out of six games. His strong form has continued into the playoffs, where he has exceeded this line in every game of the series, including a notable performance in Game 3 with a combined total of 30 points + rebounds. Given this trend, it’s reasonable to expect Williams to exceed this prop once again in the upcoming game.
Jalen Williams over 25.5 points + rebounds
-110
Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets – 10 p.m. ET
The Los Angeles Lakers staved off elimination in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets with a 119-108 victory, driven by a collective effort with four players scoring over 20 points each. LeBron James led the charge, putting up an impressive stat line of 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. Anthony Davis also had a standout performance, especially on the boards, with 25 points, 23 rebounds, and six assists. For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic was the top performer, recording a triple-double with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists.
Michael Porter Jr. over 8.5 rebounds: -105 (DraftKings)
Porter Jr. has exceeded his rebounding expectations against the Lakers this season, managing to surpass the line in five of their last seven encounters. His performance has been particularly strong in the playoffs, where he has successfully cleared the line in three consecutive games, recording nine, 10, and 11 rebounds, respectively. Given this trend and his recent form, Porter Jr. is well-positioned to continue this performance. Keep an eye on him to surpass the rebounding line once again in Monday night’s game.
LeBron James over 26.5 points: -115 (bet365)
Facing elimination in Game 4, LeBron delivered a crucial 30-point performance to extend the Lakers’ playoff run. His ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes games was also evident last season when he scored 40 points against the Nuggets under similar elimination pressure. With the series still on the line and the potential that any game could be his last of the season, LeBron is expected to harness all his experience and skill to influence the outcome of the upcoming game. His track record suggests he will once again be a crucial factor as he aims to keep the Lakers alive.
