With the second round of the NBA playoffs here, we're offering our top NBA player props and expert picks for Monday based on the best NBA odds.
After knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, the Indiana Pacers (47-35) head to the Big Apple to take on the New York Knicks (50-32) in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Game 1 of the series is slated for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT) at Madison Square Garden in New York. Behind the electric play of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks are 5.5-point favorites across our best sports betting sites.
Then in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets (57-25) will seek revenge against the Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) after dropping Game 1 on Saturday. The NBA championship odds contenders play at 10 p.m. ET (TNT) at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.
The Nuggets are 5.5-point home favorites with Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards both looking like NBA Finals MVP odds favorites.
Here are our NBA player props and expert picks for Monday (NBA picks based on odds via our best NBA betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Monday's NBA expert picks
- Jalen Brunson Over 34.5 points (-125 via bet365) ????
- Tyrese Haliburton Under 26.5 points + assists (+105 via DraftKings) ????
- Anthony Edwards Over 28.5 points (-115 via FanDuel) ???
- Nikola Jokic Over 51.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115 via Caesars) ???
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Monday's NBA schedule and odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
- Pacers vs. Kn icks | Spread: Knicks -5.5 | Total: 216.5
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | Spread: Nuggets -5.5 | Total: 206.5
NBA player props
Brunson roasted the Philadelphia 76ers harder than Nikki Glaser roasted Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski on Netlfix. The Knicks All-Star had Joel Embiid gasping for air, and resorting to cheap shots, with his pace throughout the series.
Brunson averaged 35.5 points per game in the series and even scored 39-plus points in four straight playoff games, Michael Jordan was the last player to pull off that feat. BrunsHIM is averaging 41.75 PPG across his last four games and the Indiana Pacers' defense is one of the worst in the NBA – which is why I'm betting his Over for the fourth time in four games.
The Pacers allowed the fourth-most points per game in the regular season (120.2) and even allowed Bucks point guard Damian Lillard to average 31.1 in the first round. The -125 odds imply a 55.56% probability the Over hits, according to our odds calculator, with a $10 bet paying out $18 with a winning ticket.
Best odds: -125 via bet365
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While Patrick Beverley was definitely just trying to be an annoying pest, maybe there was a little truth to what he said about Tyrese Haliburton? Or at least this version of him. Haliburton racks up numbers because he spends so much time on the court.
It worked well, that is until a midseason injury seemed to have zapped him of his consistency. Now he has to take on a Knicks defense that was second in the NBA in points per game allowed during the regular season (108.2). Haliburton averaged just 16 points and 9.3 assists against the Bucks while shooting 29.6% from 3-point range.
He finished Under 26.5 points and assists in three of six games in the series. That's why I love the value with these +105 odds. While they may only imply a probability of 48.78%, they also cash a $10.50 profit on a winning $10 wager.
Best odds: +105 via DraftKings
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Let's take a moment to recognize how much Tom Crean sucks. He went 16-16 at Georgia with Edwards and even had the NBA questioning if this guy should really be the No. 1 pick. Minnesota was smart enough to not overthink it and now the two-time All-Star has the defending champs sweating.
Edwards was an unstoppable force in the opening round against the Phoenix Suns and everyone thought he'd surely come back down to earth against the Nuggets. Instead, Ant-Man morphed into Giant-Man and dropped 43 points in Game 1.
While Denver's length can cause issues for offenses, Edwards is like prime Julio Jones with his power and explosiveness being too much to contain. He's scored Over 28.5 points in eight of his last nine playoff games and these odds imply a 53.49% probability he'll do it again. A $10 bet on this prop pays out $18.70.
Best odds: -115 via FanDuel
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Would Jokic rather be racing horses with his brothers in Serbia than playing basketball? Probably, but he also knows the offseason can be spent guzzling six beer a day in peace if he wins the championship. The favorite by the closing NBA MVP odds, Jokic is the best player in the league and set to get some revenge in Game 2 against Minnesota.
The extra motivation should help him hit the Over on this prop after he combined for 49 points, rebounds, and assists in Game 1. In the opening round against the Los Angeles Lakers, his rebounding and playmaking were on full display as he averaged 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists (54.2).
While Minnesota's defense is feisty, his usage should help him hit the Over. The odds imply a 53.49% probability he will, with a $10 bet bringing in a profit of $8.70.
Best odds: -115 via Caesars
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NBA player props made Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Monday's NBA predictions
- Pacers vs. Knicks player props
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets player props
Here are our best NBA betting sites
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- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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Related pages
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