Tonight’s Best Playoff Picks – Wednesday, 6th May

Game 2 adjustments headline today’s semifinal slate. New York and Minnesota both lead 1-0 after strong opening performances, while San Antonio faces an early series response at home.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS @ NEW YORK KNICKS

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Odds: PHI $3.10 / NY $1.39
East Semifinals – Game 2 (NY leads 1-0)

New York’s +6.4 differential and elite 110.1 OPPG defense set the tone in Game 1. Philadelphia’s -0.2 differential reflects volatility against disciplined defensive units. The Knicks’ 30-10 home record and structured half-court execution provide a strong edge again in Game 2.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will play Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semi-final matchup at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. The Knicks claimed the series opener by blowing out the 76ers 137-98 at this venue on Monday. New York’s effectiveness from inside the three-point line was a key factor, shooting 34-47 (72.3%) on two-point field goals while the 76ers finished 19-43 (44.2%).

Points off turnovers also played an important role in the result, with the Knicks outscoring the 76ers 25-13. Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with 35 points on 12-18 shooting. The Knicks have now won 10 straight in division play and hold a 7-1 record from their last eight games when Brunson scores 35+ points.

Team Trends

• The Knicks have won each of their last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Four of the Knicks’ last five games have gone OVER the total match points line.
• The Knicks have won the first quarter in each of their last nine playoff games as home favourites.
• The 76ers have covered the line in each of their last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents following a loss.

Player Trends

• Mikal Bridges – Scored the first basket in 4 of the Knicks’ last 5 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Mikal Bridges – Made 2+ threes in each of his last 9 home appearances against the 76ers.
• Paul George – Made 3+ threes in each of the 76ers’ last 6 games.
• Karl-Anthony Towns – Recorded 6+ assists in each of the Knicks’ last 4 games.
• Mikal Bridges – Recorded 4+ assists in each of the Knicks’ last 6 games against the 76ers.
• Paul George – Recorded 4+ assists in 4 of his last 5 playoff appearances against the Knicks.
• Joel Embiid – Recorded 6+ assists in 7 of his last 8 playoff appearances as an underdog.
• Josh Hart – Recorded 6+ assists in 8 of his last 9 appearances against the 76ers.
• Paul George – Scored 15+ points in 22 of his last 23 playoff appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Tyrese Maxey – Scored 30+ points in 6 of his last 7 road appearances against the Knicks.
• Jalen Brunson – Scored 35+ points in each of the Knicks’ last 5 playoff games against the 76ers.
• Joel Embiid – Scored 25+ points in 8 of his last 9 road appearances.
• OG Anunoby – Scored 15+ points in 11 of his last 12 appearances against the 76ers.
• Karl-Anthony Towns – Scored 15+ points in each of his last 14 appearances as a home favourite.
• Mikal Bridges – Scored 15+ points in each of his 5 previous playoff appearances against the 76ers.
• Josh Hart – Recorded 8+ rebounds in 8 of his last 9 home appearances against the 76ers.
• Joel Embiid – Recorded 8+ rebounds in 21 of his last 24 appearances against the Knicks.
• Jalen Brunson – Recorded 4+ rebounds in 4 of the Knicks’ last 5 games against the 76ers.
• OG Anunoby – Recorded 6+ rebounds in 6 of the Knicks’ last 7 games.
• Paul George – Recorded 6+ rebounds in 6 of his last 7 road appearances against the Knicks.

PICK – OVER 215.5 TOTAL POINTS

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Odds: MIN $4.00 / SA $1.26
West Semifinals – Game 2 (MIN leads 1-0)

Minnesota’s +3.4 differential translated into a strong Game 1 performance, but San Antonio’s +8.3 differential and dominant 32-8 home record suggest a bounce-back scenario. The Spurs’ 119.8 PPG offense and defensive discipline should respond with greater urgency in Game 2.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs will play Game 2 of their Western Conference Semi-final matchup at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves claimed the series opener 104-102 at this venue on Monday. The difference between the teams came from Minnesota’s effectiveness in the mid-range, scoring 10 points whereas the Spurs finished with zero.

The Timberwolves’ stingy perimeter defence was also a factor, holding the Spurs to 10-36 (27.8%) shooting from beyond the three-point line. Victor Wembanyama was immense for San Antonio on the defensive end, recording a playoff-record 12 blocks, although his 5-17 shooting performance from the field will need to improve if the Spurs are to square the series. In Minnesota lineup news, Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu are both questionable.

Team Trends

• The Spurs have won each of their last 9 games following a loss.
• Each of the Spurs’ last 4 home games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The home team has won the first quarter in 10 of the Spurs’ last 11 playoff games.
• The Timberwolves have covered the line in each of their last 6 games as underdogs against the Spurs.

Player Trends

• De’Aaron Fox – Scored the first basket in 2 of the last 3 games between the Timberwolves and Spurs.
• Stephon Castle – Made 2+ threes in each of the Spurs’ last 5 games.
• Dylan Harper – Recorded 4+ assists in each of his last 3 appearances as a starter.
• Anthony Edwards – Recorded 4+ assists in 10 of the Timberwolves’ last 12 Western Conference Semifinals games.
• De’Aaron Fox – Recorded 6+ assists in each of his last 7 home appearances against the Timberwolves.
• Julius Randle – Recorded 4+ assists in each of his last 5 appearances in Game 2s of a playoff series.
• Stephon Castle – Scored 15+ points in 14 of his last 15 appearances.
• Rudy Gobert – Scored 10+ points in 5 of his last 6 road appearances against the Spurs.
• De’Aaron Fox – Scored 25+ points in 8 of his last 10 home appearances against the Timberwolves.
• Dylan Harper – Scored 15+ points in 3 of the Spurs’ last 4 games.
• Keldon Johnson – Scored 15+ points in 3 of his last 4 games against the Timberwolves.
• Anthony Edwards – Scored 20+ points in each of the Timberwolves’ last 6 Game 2s of a playoff series.
• Julius Randle – Scored 20+ points in each of the Timberwolves’ last 5 Western Conference Semifinals games.
• Naz Reid – Recorded 6+ rebounds in each of the Timberwolves’ last 6 games.
• Julian Champagnie – Recorded 4+ rebounds in each of the Spurs’ last 10 home games.
• Anthony Edwards – Recorded 6+ rebounds in 11 of his last 12 playoff appearances as a road underdog.
• Stephon Castle – Recorded 6+ rebounds in 8 of his last 10 home appearances.
• Julius Randle – Recorded 6+ rebounds in each of his last 11 appearances as a road underdog.
• Victor Wembanyama – Recorded 14+ rebounds in each of the Spurs’ last 2 games.

PICK – OVER 215.5 TOTAL POINTS