Monday NBA Playoff Parlay: Bank on Bounce Back by Nuggets

I’m going to build our parlay bet using a combination of NBA picks against the spread and NBA player props. The first game tips at 7:30 p.m. ET at MSG, when the New York Knicks look to start strong against the pesky Indiana Pacers.

In the second game of our TNT doubleheader, we will see the Denver Nuggets battle the Timberwolves in Game 2 as the defending champs look to avoid going down 0-2. Every second-round series is set. The first round was filled with injured superstars and minimal drama, but things should get spicy in this round.

I’m assembling a three-leg parlay. While you could certainly do a ton of your own research, the beauty is that I’ve already done that legwork for you. Let’s dive into the top NBA picks for tonight.

Monday’s Conference Semis action 🍿

▪️ NYK/IND tipoff in Game 1
▪️ MIN seeks 2-0 series lead
▪️ DEN looks to even series 1-1#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel continue tonight on TNT! pic.twitter.com/XXZOSsD5Ag

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2024

Here’s a look at some NBA Odds to consider!

NBA Parlay Pick: Denver Nuggets (-170) 1st Quarter

This is a typical spot to back a team in the NBA playoffs. It is a system play when a team is on its home floor. The defending champions dropped Game 1 of the series, and we should expect them to come out tonight with a fire under them. The Nuggets went 19-7 after a loss and owned the third-best record at home at 36-9.

Denver has not lost back-to-back playoff games since 2021. Its last playoff loss at home came against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. The Nuggets followed up that with a win on the road in Miami. The last time they were home after losing in the playoffs was 2022 against the Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets won the first quarter 26-21 and eventually the game 126-121.

Over the last three years in the second round of the playoffs, home teams have an incredible record of 12-0 and 11-1 ATS. Trust the defending champs to bounce back tonight and protect their home court.

Stay ahead in the game with unbeatable NBA game odds and NBA lines.

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NBA Parlay Pick: New York Knicks (-6)

I’m rolling with the New York Knicks tonight to win and cover the spread in Game 1. A significant trend I discovered is that home teams in the second round, laying more than eight points, have struggled ATS over the last eight seasons, going just 2-13 ATS. Any home favorite laying less than eight points has gone 61-38-1 ATS in that span!

The Pacers managed to upset the Bucks as the No. 6 seed in the first round, but that doesn’t always mean they will find success in the second round. Previous lower seeds to win in the first round and advance past a higher seed are just 13-21 ATS as six-point underdogs or more!

The Knicks boast a top-five defense in the entire NBA. Meanwhile, the Pacers had one of the five worst defensive ratings this season. The Knicks went 1-2 ATS against Indiana this season, but they didn’t play any of those matchups with a full squad. It’s worth noting that the Pacers have historically struggled against top defensive teams, which could give the Knicks an edge in this series. They come into this series with a few injuries, but the majority of their key players are healthy and available to begin this series.

NBA Parlay Pick: Knicks C Isaiah Hartenstein to Record a Double-Double (+187)

I expect the Knicks to dominate this game tonight. Isaiah Hartenstein has become one of the most important players on this Knicks roster this season. Mitchell Robinson had surgery on his ankle in December. Hartenstein was forced into the starting lineup and has delivered for Tom Thibodeau. Hartenstein finished with 12 points and 19 rebounds in the final regular-season meeting with Indiana. He failed to record a double-double in the first-round series against Joel Embiid and the 76ers, but the Pacers provide a much juicier spot for the 7-foot center.

Indiana allowed the second-most points per game in the paint and the most free-throw attempts per game during the regular season. These statistics indicate that the Pacers’ defense is particularly vulnerable in the paint and tends to foul frequently, which could create scoring opportunities for the Knicks big-man. Hartenstein shoots over 70% from the free-throw line, which will be pivotal in his reaching double-digit points.

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