Second round action in the NBA Playoffs continues on Wednesday with a pair of important Game 5’s. Find our previews and best spread and player prop bets for both games right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA Tips page regularly to find our best betting tips for the key slates each and every week. On top of that, we provide NBL betting tips for every round of the season, including for the finals, for those who love a good punt on the basketball as much as we do!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Wednesday May 11th
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
FTX Arena, 9:30am AEST
Jimmy Butler did his best superman impression in Game 3 with 40 points and six assists, but it still wasn’t enough to guide his team to a win, with the 76ers prevailing 116-108 and levelling this compelling series at 2-2. James Harden showed up in a big way for the home side, pouring in 31 points to go along with nine assists, relieving some of the scoring burden off Joel Embiid for a night.
As has been the case for all four games in this series, there are a ton of players listed as a toss-up to play in Game 5. The Heat have seven players under an injury cloud but all should be able to suit up, while the 76ers have two in the doubtful category, one of which is Joel Embiid, but he certainly won’t be missing out on this crucial contest.
Both teams have done their job and protected home court through the first four games of this series, but the Heat finished with the higher seed and will have home advantage on their side for two of the next three clashes, including this one. After performing nowhere near their best on the road in the past two outings, I expect the Heat to bounce back in a big way on their home deck and wrestle back control of this series.
Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, 12pm AEST
The Mavericks held serve in Games 3 and 4 on their home deck, levelling up the series at 2-2 before heading back to Phoenix for Game 5. Luka Doncic was at the forefront of their success again in their most recent 111-101 win, but he also had a lot of help from his teammates on this occasion. Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson combined for 44 points, which proved too much for the Suns who were led by Devin Booker with 35 points and seven assists.
Chris Paul will be nice and fresh for Game 5 after playing just 23 minutes in Game 4 due to fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Devin Booker also looks to have fully recovered from the hamstring strain that saw him miss three games in the first round, while Torrey Craig is also a chance to return for the Suns. On the other hand, the Mavericks are a fully fit outfit other than Tim Hardaway Jr who’s out for the season.
While it’s all level at 2-2 heading into Game 5 in Phoenix, the Suns will start as the 6.5-point favourites simply due to homecourt advantage, which is justified when considering their home form this campaign. Instead, we’ll be looking to play the overs in the total points market. 235 and 238 points were scored in Games 1 and 2 in Phoenix and 216 points were scored in their latest regular season game in the Valley. The line of 213 looks too low in my opinion.
Player Props
9:30am 76ers at Heat – Jimmy Butler 26+ Points $1.90 Ladbrokes
9:30am 76ers at Heat – James Harden 21+ Points $1.90 Ladbrokes
12pm Mavericks at Suns – Chris Paul 17+ Points $1.90 Picklebet
12pm Mavericks at Suns – Jae Crowder 11+ Points $1.90 Picklebet
