There’s more NBA playoffs action over the next two days with both Conference Finals Game 5’s on the schedule for Thursday and Friday morning. Find our best plays for both matchups right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA Tips page regularly to find our best bets for each playoff series, as well as our best plays for all the key games during every week!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Thursday May 26th
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Thursday 10:30am AEST, FTX Arena
The Celtics answered the call in Game 4 of this intriguing Eastern Conference Finals series. They’ve thrived under duress in the playoffs this campaign and have now bounced back from a loss with a win on all five occasions. Their 102-82 thumping of the Heat on Tuesday was already their fourth 20+ point win in the playoffs, while the Heat have had three such wins.
Jayson Tatum was a man on a mission in Game 4 with a game-high 31 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. He was miles better than Jimmy Butler (six points, seven rebounds), who looked nowhere near 100% after suffering an injury in Game 3. Still, Butler is expected to be available to play in this crucial Game 5, so too is Kyle Lowry.
It’s been a thoroughly entertaining series between the two best teams in the East, with both teams winning once at home and once on the road through four games. However, I expect the current trend of trading wins to cease in Game 5, as the Celtics have just looked the healthier and more well-rounded team over the last three games in particular. With that said, getting near even money odds for them to secure a win on Thursday is great value in my opinion.
Player Props
Thursday 10:30am Celtics at Heat – Jayson Tatum 29+ Points $1.87 Ladbrokes
Thursday 10:30am Celtics at Heat – Jimmy Butler 25+ Points $1.88 Ladbrokes
Thursday 10:30am Celtics at Heat – Al Horford 4+ Assists $2.35 Ladbrokes
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Friday 11am AEST, Chase Center
The Mavericks exploded from beyond the arc in the first three quarters of Game 4, putting a huge gap between themselves and the Warriors on the scoreboard. While they certainly got a scare in the fourth quarter when they Warriors went on an unexpected run with their bench, the Mavericks were able to see out the clock and secure their first win in the Conference Finals.
The role players for the Mavericks were the big difference in the Mavericks win on Wednesday morning, with Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber combining for 54 points on 12/19 shooting from deep. In contrast, the Warriors main three scoring options in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole only combined for 46 points.
The Warriors won’t be rattled by their loss in Game 4 and will be confident they can close out this series at home on Friday morning. However, they won’t find it easy as the Mavericks would’ve gained a lot of confidence from their terrific performance last outing. I expect this to be a tough game with both sides having equal opportunities to win, which makes the Mavericks line very enticing here.
Dallas Mavericks +7
$1.90
Player Props
Friday 11am Mavericks at Warriors – Dorian Finney-Smith 12+ Points $1.87 Ladbrokes
Friday 11am Mavericks at Warriors – Reggie Bullock 11+ Points $1.87 Ladbrokes
