*These NBA Playoff picks are done the morning of game day, adjust picks should spreads and lineups change.
CLEVELAND @ ORLANDO
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND – GAME 4
CLEVELAND LEADS 2-1
TEAM TRENDS
- The home team has covered the spread in the Magic’s last 9 games.
- The home team has won the last 8 playoff games between the Cavaliers and Magic.
- 9 of the Cavaliers’ last 10 playoff games went Unders.
- Caris LeVert scored 11+ points in his last 8 road games against the Magic.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| CLE | 48 | 34 | 26-15 | 22-19 |
| ORL | 47 | 35 | 29-12 | 18-23 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| CLE | 112.6 | 110.2 | +2.4 | 222.8 |
| ORL | 110.5 | 108.4 | +2.1 | 218.9 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
SERIES TIED 2-2
| GAME 3 | ORL | CLE | 121:83 |
| GAME 2 | CLE | ORL | 96:86 |
| GAME 1 | CLE | ORL | 97:83 |
| 23.02.24 | CLE | ORL | 109:116 |
| 23.01.24 | ORL | CLE | 99:126 |
| 12.12.23 | ORL | CLE | 104:94 |
| 07.12.23 | CLE | ORL | 121:111 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| ORL | OVER | ORL |
| -2.0 | 201.0 | 112-89 |
THE RUB
After a dominant 121-83 victory for the Magic in Game 3 at their home venue on Thursday, Orlando secured their third consecutive win in the series, all at home.
The Magic’s work inside the three-point line played a big role, shooting 61.8% on two-point field goals compared to the Cavaliers’ 50.0%. Orlando’s dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Cavaliers 51 to 32 was also a massive factor.
Paolo Banchero led the charge for Orlando with a stellar 31-point, 14-rebound double-double performance. The Magic’s win put their home winning streak to five games, while the Cavs continue to struggle on the road, losing 8 of their last 9 away games.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Caris LeVert scored 11+ points in his last 8 road games against the Magic.
- Max Strus had 6+ assists in his last 4 games after playing less than 30 minutes.
- Jalen Suggs scored 18+ points in 4 of the Magic’s last 5 games as favorites.
- Paolo Banchero made 2+ three-pointers in 4 of the Magic’s last 5 games.
- Cole Anthony scored 10+ points in the Magic’s last 3 games as favorites.
- Paolo Banchero recorded a double-double in 3 of his last 4 home games against the Cavaliers.
- Evan Mobley made 1+ three-pointers in 9 of the Cavaliers’ last 13 games.
- Paolo Banchero grabbed 11+ rebounds in the Magic’s last 2 home games.
- Darius Garland had 7+ assists in 9 of his last 13 appearances.
PICK – OVER 201.0 TOTAL PTS
OKLAHOMA CITY @ NEW ORLEANS
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND – GAME 3
OKLAHOMA CITY LEADS 2-0
TEAM TRENDS
- The Thunder have covered the spread in their last 9 road games against the Pelicans.
- The Thunder have won their last 7 games.
- Pelicans’ last 5 Western First Round home games went Overs.
- The Pelicans won the first quarter in 6 of their last 8 home games against the Thunder.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| NOR | 49 | 33 | 21-19 | 28-14 |
| OKC | 57 | 25 | 33-8 | 24-17 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| NOR | 115.1 | 110.7 | +4.4 | 225.8 |
| OKC | 120.1 | 112.7 | +7.4 | 232.8 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
OKLAHOMA CITY 2-1
| GAME 2 | OKC | NOR | 124:92 |
| GAME 1 | OKC | NOR | 94-92 |
| 27.03.24 | NOR | OKC | 112:119 |
| 27.01.24 | NOR | OKC | 83:107 |
| 02.11.23 | OKC | NOR | 106:110 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| OKC | OVER | OKC |
| -1.0 | 208.5 | 106-85 |
THE RUB
Following a dominant 124-92 win in Game 2 at Paycom Center on Wednesday, the Thunder seized a 2-0 series lead, extending their winning streak against the Pelicans to four games.
The three-point shooting disparity was notable, with Oklahoma City hitting 48.3% from deep compared to New Orleans’ 26.9%.
Turnovers also heavily favored the Thunder, as the Pelicans committed 17, leading to 22 Thunder points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 33 points, supported by Chet Holmgren’s 26-point performance.
The Pelicans aim to reverse their underwhelming 1-6 record in their last seven home games.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Luguentz Dort scored 12+ points in his last 4 road games.
- Herb Jones made 2+ three-pointers in his last 4 games against the Thunder.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31+ points in 4 of his last 5 road games against the Pelicans.
- Luguentz Dort made 2+ three-pointers in 6 of his last 7 games.
- Herb Jones scored 14+ points in his last 3 home games against the Thunder.
- Jonas Valanciunas grabbed 12+ rebounds in 7 of his last 9 playoff home games.
- Jalen Williams gave 5+ assists in 3 of his last 4 games against the Pelicans.
- C.J. McCollum scored 23+ points in 12 of his last 17 games.
- Josh Giddey recorded a double-double in his last 2 road games.
PICK – OKLAHOMA CITY -1.0
BOSTON @ MIAMI
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND – GAME 3
SERIES TIED 1-1
TEAM TRENDS
- The Heat have lost their last 13 games as home underdogs.
- The Heat have failed to cover their last 4 playoff games following a win.
- The Heat’s last 4 playoff home games went Unders.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| MIA | 46 | 36 | 22-19 | 24-17 |
| BOS | 64 | 18 | 37-4 | 27-14 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| MIA | 110.1 | 108.4 | +1.7 | 218.5 |
| BOS | 120.6 | 109.2 | +11.4 | 229.8 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
BOSTON 3-0
| GAME 2 | BOS | MIA | 101:111 |
| GAME 1 | BOS | MIA | 114:94 |
| 12.02.24 | MIA | BOS | 106:110 |
| 26.01.24 | MIA | BOS | 110:143 |
| 28.10.23 | BOS | MIA | 119:111 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MIA | OVER | BOS |
| +9.0 | 202.0 | 104-84 |
THE RUB
After claiming Game 2 with a 111-101 victory at TD Garden on Wednesday, the Heat have squared the series at 1-1, breaking their four-game losing streak against the Celtics.
Miami’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc, hitting 53.5% of their three-point attempts compared to Boston’s 37.5%, was a decisive factor.
Additionally, Miami’s ability to capitalize on turnovers, outscoring Boston 20-9 in this area, played a crucial role. Tyler Herro led Miami with a 24-point, 14-assist double-double, a career-high in assists, while Jaylen Brown stood out for Boston with 33 points and eight rebounds.
The Heat have won 5 straight games when Herro records 10 or more assists.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Jrue Holiday scored 14+ points in his last 10 playoff road games.
- Jayson Tatum scored 29+ points in his last 6 Eastern First Round road games.
- Kristaps Porzingis scored 19+ points in his last 6 road games against winning teams.
- Caleb Martin scored 14+ points in 8 of his last 9 playoff games against the Celtics.
- Bam Adebayo scored 21+ points in 7 of his last 8 home games without Jimmy Butler.
- Jayson Tatum had a double-double in 7 of his last 8 playoff games.
- Jayson Tatum grabbed 10+ rebounds in each of his last 5 playoff road games against the Heat.
- Jaylen Brown grabbed 8+ rebounds in each of his last 4 playoff games.
- Derrick White scored 15+ points in 6 of his last 7 road games.
- Tyler Herro made 4+ three-pointers in 4 of his last 5 games against the Celtics.
- Tyler Herro had 8+ assists in 4 of his last 5 games.
- Bam Adebayo had a double-double in 4 of his last 5 playoff games.
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 18+ points in each of his last 3 home games.
PICK – OVER 202.0 TOTAL PTS
DENVER @ LA LAKERS
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND – GAME 4
DENVER LEADS 3-1
TEAM TRENDS
- The Nuggets have won their last 11 games against the Lakers.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in their last 6 playoff road games.
- The Nuggets’ last 6 playoff games went Unders.
- The Lakers have won the first half in their last 6 games.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| LAL | 47 | 35 | 28-14 | 19-21 |
| DEN | 57 | 25 | 33-8 | 24-17 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| DEN | 114.9 | 109.6 | +5.3 | 224.5 |
| LAL | 118.0 | 117.4 | +0.6 | 235.4 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
DENVER 3-0
| GAME 3 | LAL | DEN | 105:112 |
| GAME 2 | DEN | LAL | 101:99 |
| GAME 1 | DEN | LAL | 114:103 |
| 03.03.24 | LAL | DEN | 114:124 |
| 09.02.24 | LAL | DEN | 106:114 |
| 25.10.23 | DEN | LAL | 119:107 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| DEN | OVER | LAL |
| -3.5 | 217.5 | 119-108 |
THE RUB
The Nuggets look to sweep this Western First Round matchup against the Lakers as they visit Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night.
Their Game 3 victory put their winning streak against the Lakers to 11 games. Denver’s dominance on the offensive boards, grabbing 14 to the Lakers’ 8 proved crucial, leading to a 19-13 advantage in second chance points.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double, while Aaron Gordon added 29 points and 15 rebounds. For the Lakers, Anthony Davis stood out with 33 points and 15 rebounds.
The Nuggets have won 13 of their last 14 games when Jokic records 12 or more rebounds.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Michael Porter Jr. grabbed 8+ rebounds in his last 8 games at Crypto.com Arena.
- Nikola Jokic scored 28+ points in his last 6 closeout playoff games.
- Jamal Murray dished out 8+ assists in 7 of his last 8 playoff games.
- Michael Porter Jr. scored 19+ points in his last 5 games against the Lakers.
- Austin Reaves scored 17+ points in his last 5 playoff home games.
- Anthony Davis scored 30+ points in 5 of the Lakers’ last 6 games.
- Rui Hachimura scored 17+ points in 5 of his last 6 games after scoring in single digits.
- LeBron James made 3+ three-pointers in 4 of his last 5 playoff games.
- Rui Hachimura grabbed 5+ rebounds in 5 of the Lakers’ last 6 home games.
- Austin Reaves gave 6+ assists in 4 of the Lakers’ last 5 games as home underdogs.
- Michael Porter Jr. had a double-double in 4 of his last 5 road games against the Lakers.
- Aaron Gordon scored 18+ points in his last 3 games at Crypto.com Arena.
PICK – DENVER -3.5
