Dominating through the first two days of the NBA Playoffs, home teams went 8-0 straight up (SU) and 7-1 against the spread (ATS).
Take that a step further and add in the NBA Play-In Tournament games, and home teams are now 13-1 SU and 11-3 ATS.
Will that trend continue into Game 2 action on Monday? Let’s take a look at the three matchups and make a best bet for each.
Magic at Cavaliers (Cleveland leads 1-0)
(7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Magic vs. Cavaliers odds
- Spread: Magic +5.5 (-112), Cavaliers (-5.5 (-108)
- Moneyline: Magic +180, Cavaliers (-215)
- Total: o203.5 (-110), u203.5 (-110)
Odds via FanDuel
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Magic vs. Cavaliers prediction & pick
The Cavaliers took care of Orlando in Saturday’s series opener, 97-83, to cover as 5.5-point favorites.
The Magic never got their offense going, shooting 33% from the floor in Game 1, while hitting only 8-of-37 attempts from 3-point range. Paolo Banchero paced Orlando with 24 pointsin a game the Magic never led and failed to score more than 26 points in any quarter.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 30 points, while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined to pull down 29 rebounds in the win.
Game 1’s total closed at 206.5, but Monday’s over/under has fallen four points to 202.5.
This game will likely be another grinder but look for the Magic to come out with a better showing early on in Game 2.
- Pick: Magic 1H +3 (-110 at DraftKings)
76ers vs. Knicks (New York leads 1-0)
(7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
76ers vs. Knicks odds
- Spread: 76ers +6 (-112), Knicks -6 (-108)
- Moneyline: 76ers +188, Knicks -225
- Total: o205 (-110), u205 (-110)
Odds via FanDuel
76ers vs. Knicks prediction & pick
Philadelphia jumped out to a 34-25 advantage in Game 1, but the Knicks rebounded in the second quarter, limiting the 76ers to 12 points in the period and pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 111-104 victory.
New York’s leading scorer, Jalen Brunson, was held to 8-of-26 shooting in Game 1, but managed 22 points. Josh Hart matched his teammate’s 22 points, while Miles McBride added 21 in 28 minutes off the bench.
Philadelphia is going to expect a lot from former MVP Joel Embiid, who posted 29 points in Game 1 but was also dealing with a lingering knee injury. Tyrese Maxey, who put up a game-high 33 points, is listed as questionable for Monday’s game with an illness.
The Sixers will need more contributions beyond those two players to compete.
The Knicks, who improved to 4-1 against Philadelphia this season, are showing no signs of slowing down. Brunson will likely shoot better from the floor in Game 2, while the Sixers need some semblance of a healthy Embiid to make it a game.
Let’s lay the points with the Knicks in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead.
- Pick: Knicks -5.5 (-110 at Caesars)
Lakers vs. Nuggets (Denver leads 1-0)
(10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Lakers vs. Nuggets odds
- Spread: Lakers +7 (-108), Nuggets -7 (-112)
- Moneyline: Lakers +240, Nuggets -295
- Total: o224 (-110), u224 (-110)
Odds via FanDuel
Lakers vs. Nuggets prediction & pick
The Lakers jumped out to a 12-point lead in Saturday’s Game 1 before falling, 114-103, giving the Nuggets nine consecutive victories against their Western Conference foe since January 2023. It was also Denver’s sixth straight cover over L.A.
The Lakers received a combined 59 points from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but the rest of the team put up just 44. While James made 3-of-5 three-point shots, his teammates combined to shoot 5-of-24 from long distance.
Denver’s bench didn’t contribute much in Game 1, but all five starters scored in double figures, with Nikola Jokic leading the way with 32 points.
The Lakers blew a golden opportunity in Game 1 to land the first punch.
Let’s go with the home team here and back Denver as a favorite to continue its dominance in this matchup.
- Pick: Nuggets -7 (-110 at bet365)
