The second round of the NBA Playoffs is shaping up to be an exciting chapter in the postseason. The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks will be kicking off their series, marking their first encounter in these playoffs. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are progressing into Game 2 of their series. Game 1 set the tone for what is expected to be a closely contested series, given the talent and competitive nature of both teams.
Here are five NBA wagers you should consider Monday:
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. ET
The Pacers and Knicks enter the second round of the NBA playoffs on high notes after both securing decisive wins in their respective first-round series. The Pacers, powered by Obi Toppin’s team-high 21 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s double-double, capped off their series against the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. On the other side, Jalen Brunson’s standout 41-point, 12-assist performance propelled the Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers, also in six games.
As these two teams face off in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, the momentum and confidence from their previous series victories will undoubtedly play a crucial role. Both teams are eager to establish an early advantage in what promises to be a tightly contested series.
Jalen Brunson over 34.5 points: +100 (DraftKings)
Brunson’s performance has significantly improved after initially struggling in the first two games of the Knicks’ opening-round series. After a slow start in the series against the 76ers, Brunson exploded offensively, delivering four consecutive high-scoring games (averaged 41.7 ppg during that span), showcasing his ability to take over playoff games. His scoring spree, combined with his proven track record against the Pacers during the regular season—where he scored 39 and 40 points in two of the three matchups—further solidifies his role as the primary offensive weapon for the Knicks.
Given his high volume of field goal attempts and the momentum he carries into the second round, Brunson’s chances of continuing his scoring excellence in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden are strong. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with the Knicks’ reliance on his scoring prowess, makes it reasonable to anticipate that he could exceed 34.5 points in the upcoming game.
Jalen Brunson over 34.5 points
+100
Tyrese Haliburton over 9.5 assists: -105 (BetMGM)
Haliburton has shown himself to be an exceptional facilitator, especially highlighted by his performances against tough opponents both in the regular season and playoffs. In the first round against the Bucks, he demonstrated his playmaking abilities by recording more than 9.5 assists in half of the games, and in the other half, he had nine, 13, and 20 potential assists indicating his active engagement in creating scoring opportunities.
His track record against the Knicks further underscores his ability to pass, as he exceeded 9.5 assists in two of the three regular-season matchups, including an impressive career-high of 23 assists in one game. Given this consistency and his role as the primary distributor for the Pacers, it’s reasonable to expect Haliburton to continue this trend and record over 9.5 assists in the upcoming games against the Knicks.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets – 10:00 p.m. ET
The Timberwolves secured a crucial victory over the Nuggets, winning 106-99 in Game 1 of their series. Anthony Edwards was instrumental in this win, lighting up the scoreboard early with 16 points in the first quarter and finishing strong with a total of 43 points and seven rebounds. His performance set the tone for the Timberwolves and proved to be a significant factor in their success. On the Nuggets’ side, Nikola Jokic delivered a solid performance, contributing 32 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. Despite his efforts, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Timberwolves in this matchup.
Anthony Edwards over 5.5 rebounds: -120 (bet365)
Edwards has demonstrated strong rebounding abilities throughout the playoffs, consistently surpassing the 5.5-rebound threshold in almost every game. His performance against the Phoenix Suns, when he grabbed nine rebounds in three of the four games, underscores his effectiveness on the boards. Continuing this pattern, in Game 1 against the Nuggets, Edwards collected seven rebounds from nine rebounding opportunities.
Given his consistent track record and ability to capitalize on rebounding chances, it’s reasonable to expect Edwards to continue this trend and record over 5.5 rebounds in Game 2.
Anthony Edwards over 5.5 rebounds
-120
Michael Porter Jr. over 2.5 threes: -148 (DraftKings)
Porter Jr. has been showcasing his sharpshooting skills throughout the playoffs, consistently hitting over 2.5 three-pointers per game, with the exception of Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. His ability to shoot over 40% from beyond the arc on high volume indicates not just skill but also confidence in taking those shots.
Given his performance trend and the focus on maintaining a deep threat in Denver’s offensive strategy, it’s quite likely that Porter Jr. will continue this pattern and make over 2.5 threes in Game 2 against the Timberwolves.
Nikola Jokic over 29.5 points: -110 (BetMGM)
Jokic has a solid track record of high-scoring performances against the Timberwolves, consistently surpassing 29.5 points in all but one regular-season matchup. His ability to step up in crucial games was evident in Game 1 of their current series, where he scored 32 points. Considering the Nuggets’ loss in Game 1, the urgency for a victory in Game 2 is heightened as the series moves to Minnesota for Game 3.
Given this context and Jokic’s role as the centerpiece of the Nuggets’ offence, it’s reasonable to expect him to take on an even greater scoring burden in Game 2. His exceptional skill set, combined with the need for Denver to equalize the series, positions him well to exceed 29.5 points.
