NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | Apr 24

The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and we've got your best bets lined up for a big day. First, we like Cleveland’s chances at winning big against the Heat once again backed by a 25+ point performance by Donovan Mitchell. From there we move to the West as we expect Golden State and Houston to continue their rock fight from game one and go under their point total.

Cavaliers -11.5 | $1.85 @ Betfocus

The East’s top seeded Cavaliers blew out the Miami Heat 121-100 in game one of their first round matchup. Game two projects to follow a similar path as quite simply put, this is a personnel mismatch and the Heat don’t have the quality needed to hang with the Cavaliers. Cleveland was the second best team in the regular season ATS, covering in nearly 60% of their games. Miami on the other hand was twelfth worst in the league at just 47.6%. At 4-1 ATS in their past five, including their big win in game one, Cleveland hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. With home court advantage, we expect them to again down the Heat with ease, and cover -11.5.

Donovan Mitchell 25+ points | $1.57 @ Betright

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers in scoring with 30 points in their big game one victory. He did so with incredible efficiency, shooting 11/19 from the field. Mitchell relentlessly picked on the smaller and weaker Tyler Herro, attacking him each and every chance he got, to which Miami had no answer. Mitchell now has a significant track record of being a playoff performer, having averaged 28.1 PPG in his 55 career playoff games. Add in the fact that he has scored 25+ in five of his last seven games, and we like Mitchell for 25 or more tonight.

Total Points U203.5 | $1.91 @ PlayUp

If game one of Houston vs. Golden State told us anything, it’s that this series is going to be a defensive battle. NBA betting sites agree with this notion as the line for game two hovers around 204 points. This low line isn’t enough to deter us from taking the under. Houston’s offense looked inept against a Warriors defense that has ranked near the top of the league since acquiring Jimmy Butler. Golden State didn’t look much better against the athletic Rockets as they consistently relied on late shot clock heroics from Steph Curry to put points on the board. Both sides are top seven league wide in defensive rating this year. That, along with shoddy halfcourt offense from each, makes us believe in the under.