After the wildest night of the NBA Playoffs so far, there are a pair of games tonight with compelling storylines. Indiana has a chance to go up 2-0 on the Cavaliers on the road, while out west, we have the sixth-seeded Timberwolves opening up at home against the seventh-seeded Golden State.
Monday night proved that just when you think you have things figured out in the NBA playoffs, the script changes. Let’s talk about how things will go tonight.
Pacers at Cavaliers Game 2 Odds
Indiana stunned Cleveland in Game 1, pulling away for a 121-112 win with a late spurt, covering the spread in the process.
The Pacers have won the last three games with the Cavs and four of their last five meetings. Cleveland is a big favorite again tonight. The Cavs are 64-15 as favorites straight up this season. Indiana is 17-16 as underdogs.
Cleveland is 51-35-1 against the spread. Indiana, which started the season poorly, is 40-47-1 against the spread. Watch this line closely, because Cleveland has some injury issues, including Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter, who are both questionable and will probably be game-time calls. The Cavs clearly missed Garland in Game 1.
Pacers at Cavaliers Prediction
Indiana already plays a free-wheeling style of basketball, where they like to spread the floor and let Tyrese Haliburton attack (I think he travels all the time, but that’s just me). And he has multiple sharpshooters to bail him out when he gets in trouble.
Cleveland, just like the Celtics, has picked a bad time for a shooting slump. Donovan Mitchell took 30 shots in Game 1, which is too many.
Indiana has Cleveland’s number. Garland is a big loss for Cleveland because he plays off Mitchell so well. I like the Pacers with the points tonight. They already play free and loose. They can be even looser with a 1-0 lead.
The Pick: Indiana +9.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
Warriors at Timberwolves Game 1 Odds
Minnesota has had a little bit of time here to rest before this series, while Golden State had to go seven games to beat Houston.
This is the closest conference semifinal series on the sportsbooks, with the Warriors -180 to win. Golden State has won the last three meetings and covered in all three wins, and all three were pre-Jimmy Butler Trade.
Both teams are right on the .500 mark this season against the spread. Golden State is 44-43-3 against the spread, and Minnesota is 43-43-1 against the spread. I’m surprised there’s no over/under on the number of technical fouls called in this series, because Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green get plenty.
Golden State has covered the spread in its last six Western Conference semifinal games.
Warriors at Timberwolves Prediction
I did not like the Warriors match-up with Houston, but Golden State proved me wrong. Maybe it’s bad that I do like this match-up for Golden State against Minnesota. The Wolves are an attacking, emotional team, and Golden State isn’t easily rattled.
Minnesota has advantages inside with Rudy Gobert, and when Edwards feels like it, he can be the best player in the league, but will the Wolves have the patience to guard Butler and Steph Curry in the fourth quarter? That’s when Golden State has got it done.
Even on short rest, I like the Warriors.
The pick: Golden State +6.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
