The NBA Playoffs will see three Game 6 matchups played on Saturday as the first tips off at 9:10am AEST with the Pistons at Magic. Shortly after will be the Cavaliers at Raptors before the final game is scheduled for 11:40am with the Lakers at Rockets. We take you through our best bets for each game below!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Saturday, May 2nd 2026
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (9:10am AEST)
The top seed in the Eastern Conference faces another elimination game when the Detroit Pistons travel to Florida to battle the Orlando Magic who boast a 3-2 series lead. Tobias Harris is questionable to play for the Pistons, and it would be a huge loss if he misses as he has scored 20 or more points in the last three games against the Magic this series. On the other side, Franz Wagner has already been ruled out for the Magic.
First-time All-Star big man Jalen Duren has largely been a non-factor throughout the series, scoring no more than 12 points in the five games played so far. He has been in foul trouble in the past three games, including fouling out in Game 3’s loss. He has to step up and support Cade Cunningham who is almost single-handedly carrying the Pistons offensively – he finished with 45 points in their 116-109 Game 5 victory.
Paolo Banchero also had a 45-point outing in that Game 5 loss for the Magic and he continues to play well. If the Magic starters and supporting cast in their shallow eight or nine-man rotation can step up to support Banchero, the Magic have the chance to cause a huge upset and send the East’s best team packing in the first round. Given how well they have played so far, happy to be with the Magic +3.5.
Magic +3.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (9:40am AEST)
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to advance as they hold a 3-2 lead over the Toronto Raptors who will be relying on their home crowd energy to provide the necessary spark to send this to a Game 7. On the injury front, Immanuel Quickley remains out for the Raptors and Brandon Ingram is questionable for Game 6. If Ingram misses, I cannot see how Toronto can repel Cleveland in this contest.
Offensively, both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are more threatening than Ingram, RJ Barrett or Scottie Barnes. Having said that, Mitchell has been inefficient in recent outings with 6-24 and 7-17 shooting respectively in the past two contests. Evan Mobley produces at both ends of the floor and that will be pivotal in this road game.
If Mitchell can find his shot, it will go a long way to winning this contest, but credit Toronto’s perimeter defense on both him and Harden. Feeding Mobley and center Jarrett Allen more could be one solution to helping Cleveland advance. The -4.0 line for the Cavs looks the better play in the game.
Cavaliers -4.0
$1.90 (2 Units)
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (11:40am AEST)
The Houston Rockets are finding momentum after falling 3-0 behind to the Los Angeles Lakers and all of a sudden, the Lakers are feeling the pressure. While the winner of this series is not expected to trouble the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round, there is potential history on the line. The Lakers, and LeBron James specifically, will not want to be the first team in NBA history to lose a series after leading 3-0.
Before we get there, Game 6 needs to be played with the Rockets playing at home. Kevin Durant is doubtful for the game. Luka Doncic is still out for the Lakers which was expected prior to the series commencing.
Houston has forced the Lakers to turn the ball over more in the previous two games. In Game 4, the Lakers committed 24 turnovers as the Rockets snatched 17 steals for the game. They followed it up with 10 steals in Game 5. The starters for Houston are sharing the scoring duties which has made it hard for the Lakers’ defense to contain. With momentum on their side, and the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard playing well, that confidence can see the Rockets cover the -4.0 line to force a Game 7.
Rockets -4.0
$1.86 (2 Units)
