As the NBA Playoffs intensify with the first set of Game 5s, the stakes are notably high, especially with both the Indiana Pacers versus New York Knicks series and the Denver Nuggets versus Minnesota Timberwolves series tied at 2-2. The Pacers and the Nuggets have each rallied to even their respective series after trailing 0-2, showcasing their resilience and capability to perform under pressure.
The upcoming Game 5s will be crucial. For the Pacers and the Knicks, the game in New York represents a critical point in the series. The Knicks, having started strong with two wins, now face the challenge of regaining their earlier momentum at home. The Pacers, followed by their two consecutive victories, will aim to carry forward their winning streak and take the lead for the first time in the series.
Similarly, the Nuggets will host the Timberwolves in Denver for their Game 5. After successfully evening the series, the Nuggets will look to leverage their home-court advantage to take the lead. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, will need to regroup and reclaim the form that saw them win the first two games. A victory in Denver would not only shift the series’ momentum back in their favour but also put them one win away from advancing.
In both series, securing a win in Game 5 is crucial as it provides a significant psychological and strategic advantage, reducing the pressure of facing elimination in the following game and instead placing that burden on the opponent.
Here are five NBA wagers you should consider Tuesday:
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks – 8 p.m. ET
The Pacers demonstrated a strong offensive and defensive performance in their recent victory over the New York Knicks, leading from the outset with a massive 34-14 run in the first quarter that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in this win, showcasing his all-around skills with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. T.J. McConnell also made a significant impact in a limited role, efficiently adding 15 points and 10 assists in just 20 minutes.
For the Knicks, Alec Burks stepped up with 20 points, but the overall offensive effort was lacklustre. Jalen Brunson, normally a reliable scorer, struggled with his efficiency, shooting only 6-for-17 from the field. The performances of Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart were particularly concerning; their combined 4-for-19 shooting significantly hampered the Knicks’ offensive flow. The collective shooting struggles of Brunson, DiVincenzo, and Hart, who went 11-for-36 combined, underscored a critical area of weakness that New York must address if it hopes to bounce back in Game 5.
Tyrese Haliburton over 3.5 threes: -160 (BetMGM)
Haliburton’s recent performances from beyond the arc have been impressive and important for the Pacers. After shaking off a slower start in Game 1, he has effectively ramped up his three-point shooting, hitting significant numbers in subsequent games with seven, six, and four three-pointers made. His willingness to take shots from deep is clear, with a high volume of 37 attempts over three games, which translates to an average of about 12 attempts per game.
This increased focus on three-point shooting not only boosts Haliburton’s scoring totals but also spreads the defence, creating more opportunities for himself and his teammates. His ability to consistently hit more than 3.5 threes in recent games, along with his performance in the regular season, where he achieved this mark in four of his last five games, underscores a reliable pattern in his play style. Considering this trend and Haliburton’s crucial role in the Pacers’ offence, especially as they head into a critical Game 5, expect him to exceed 3.5 made threes.
Tyrese Haliburton over 3.5 threes
-160
Tyrese Haliburton over 25.5 points + rebounds: -115 (bet365)
Haliburton’s impact on the court has been undeniable, particularly in his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. Over the last three games, he has consistently exceeded the benchmark of 25.5 combined points and rebounds. In Games 2 and 3, Haliburton delivered standout performances, recording impressive totals of 40 and 39 combined points and rebounds, respectively. Even in a game that saw the Pacers leading in double-digits for basically the whole game, Haliburton managed to surpass the threshold with a combined tally of 26 points and rebounds.
As Game 5 marks the return to Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks have secured two consecutive home victories, the stakes are high. With the expectation of a closely contested matchup, Haliburton’s contributions will be crucial in determining the outcome. Given his recent consistency and the pivotal nature of this game, it’s reasonable to anticipate that he will comfortably exceed the over 25.5 points and rebounds mark once again.
Donte DiVincenzo over 3.5 threes: -160 (BetMGM)
DiVincenzo has indeed emerged as a critical performer for the Knicks throughout these playoffs, particularly with his proficiency from beyond the arc. Averaging 16.7 points per game and shooting 42.9% from three-point range highlights his efficiency and scoring threat.
His ability to hit crucial threes has been instrumental in closing out games, marking him as a reliable clutch player for the Knicks. Apart from a recent dip in his shooting performance in the last game, where he managed only 1-of-6 from three, DiVincenzo has consistently surpassed the mark of making over 3.5 threes in each game of the series. His high volume of attempts, especially the 32 shots from three in the three games prior to the last, at an average of almost 11 attempts per game, underscores his role as a key shooter for the Knicks.
Given this high volume and his track record, along with the pattern of bouncing back after a less effective shooting performance, it’s reasonable to expect DiVincenzo to return to his shooting form in Game 5. With the series returning to Madison Square Garden and the stakes heightened, his contributions from the perimeter will be crucial. Therefore, projecting DiVincenzo to make over 3.5 threes in Game 5 is a well-founded expectation based on his usage, previous performances, and the need for the Knicks to leverage every scoring opportunity as they seek to take the lead in the series.
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 10:30 p.m. ET
The Nuggets secured a vital win over the Timberwolves with a 115-107 victory in Game 4. Nikola Jokic was instrumental in this success, showcasing his versatility with an impressive stat line of 35 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block. Aaron Gordon also played a crucial role, nearly perfect from the field, scoring 27 points on 11-for-12 shooting while contributing seven rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Anthony Edwards had an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 44 points along with five rebounds and five assists. Despite his impressive individual effort, it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Minnesota.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope under 2.5 points in the 1st quarter: -145 (bet365)
Caldwell-Pope’s scoring pattern in the first quarters throughout this playoff series has clearly shown a tendency towards lower production. Recording scores of zero, two, zero, and zero points in the first quarters of each game against the Timberwolves further emphasizes his minimal scoring impact during the initial stages of the game. Throughout the entirety of the playoffs, Caldwell-Pope has exceeded 2.5 points in the first quarter in only one out of nine games, reinforcing this trend.
Given this consistent pattern, it is reasonable to expect that Caldwell-Pope will likely continue to score under 2.5 points in the first quarter of upcoming games.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope under 2.5 points in 1st quarter
-145
Minnesota Timberwolves over 100.5 points: -115 (Betano)
The Timberwolves have consistently demonstrated their offensive prowess throughout this playoff season, as well as in their regular-season matchups against the Nuggets. Their ability to score above 100.5 points in all playoff games, except for Game 3, underscores their effective offence. Additionally, their scoring during the regular season against the Nuggets, with totals of 107, 111, 112, and 110 points, reflects their consistent ability to perform well against this particular opponent. This track record indicates a strong offensive performance from the Timberwolves in their upcoming games.
Given their history of surpassing the 100.5-point mark in every game played in Denver, and considering the continuation of this trend throughout most of the playoff series, there is a strong basis to expect the Timberwolves to maintain this scoring level in Game 5. The team’s offensive strategies, combined with their key players’ ability to contribute significantly on the scoreboard, should see them continue to reach or exceed this scoring threshold, especially in the critical setting of a playoff game in Denver where a win would give it a significant advantage.
