NBA Archives - Page 52 of 146

Knicks vs. Celtics SGP predictions Game 5: Fade Josh Hart but back New York to cover

In order to keep the dream of a championship repeat alive, the Boston Celtics need a win on Wednesday night — and another two after that — against the New York Knicks.

The pregame narrative: The tenor of the series shifted in the final minutes of Game 4, when Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon. Despite his indefinite absence moving forward, the Celtics are favoured at home tonight in a series they trail, 3-1.

Check out my Celtics vs. Knicks SGP predictions for Game 5 on May 14, featuring Derrick White and Josh Hart.

Celtics vs. Knicks predictions

Parlay: Knicks +6.5 | White 15+ points | Hart under 5.5 assists (+320)

Knicks +6.5 (-155): I think it might be Cancun time for the Celtics.

Tatum was spectacular in Game 4, dropping 42 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. It wasn’t enough, though, and now Boston must press forward without its star.

The Knicks are 5-0 on the road in the postseason, winning four of those games as underdogs. They’re also now 29-17 on the road overall this year.

As a straight wager, I’m looking hard at Knicks moneyline (+160). But this is a decent price to bank some points with the visitors.

New York has covered a +6.5 spread in 11 of 12 games dating back to the regular season.

Embed: #113740

NBA SGP legs

White 15+ points (-265): Here’s another pick where I’m playing it relatively safe because it’s part of a parlay. I think White should breeze past this line.

Why? Tatum’s absence should provide an obvious boost to his shot opportunities, but White was doing just fine against this number already.

18.3 PPG in the postseason
15+ points in 8 of 9 games

White has attempted 44 threes through four games, which is one shy of Tatum for the team lead. Another high-volume game from 3-point range should be expected.

Also, White is 7-1 against this scoring milestone when facing the Knicks this year (including 4-0 in the playoffs).

Hart under 5.5 assists (-159): There’s some negative correlation between this pick and the Knicks’ alt spread, though it’s clear that neither leg relies on the other.

Hart has gone under 5.5 assists in all four games of this series, compiling just 14 total assists (3.5/game).

The Celtics have allowed the fewest assists per game this postseason (19.1) … after allowing the third-fewest per game in the regular season.

So it’s not as if this is an easy matchup, and Hart hasn’t been active enough as a passer against Boston for me to expect things to change now.

In this series, Hart is averaging 7.5 potential assists per game, which denotes the number of passes that lead directly to a shot.

Hart has gone under 5.5 assists in 6 of 8 games vs. Boston this season.

Knicks vs. Celtics predictions made at 9:30 a.m. ET 05/14/2025.

Warriors vs. Timberwolves SGP predictions Game 5: Bet on Randle, Kuminga to stay hot

The Minnesota Timberwolves can put away the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The pregame narrative: Steph Curry reportedly won’t be back until Game 6 at the earliest, but the series isn’t expected to last that long. Minnesota is a heavy home favourite to wrap this thing up and advance to the Western Conference finals.

Check out my Warriors vs. Timberwolves SGP predictions for May 14, featuring Jonathan Kuminga and Julius Randle.

Warriors vs. Timberwolves predictions

Parlay: Over 198.5 points | Kuminga over 22.5 points/rebounds | Randle 20+ points (+300)

Over 198.5 points (-177): With Curry set to miss another game, my initial instinct was to toss an alt under into this parlay.

But the Warriors and Timberwolves have cleared a 198.5-point total in all three Curry-less games of this series, so I actually prefer this route.

Overs are 27-18 (60.0%) in Minnesota home games this year, per Team Rankings.

Since March of last season, this over is 4-1 when the Warriors and T-Wolves meet in Minnesota.

The average total in this series’ three games without Curry is 212 points.

Overs are 3-1 in Minnesota’s four home games so far this postseason.

Embed: #113723

NBA SGP legs

Kuminga over 22.5 points/rebounds (-114): I backed Kuminga over 23.5 points/rebounds for Game 4, when he finished with 23 points … and zero rebounds.

That was a super tough beat, but the market has dipped a bit, and I’m buying back in.

I can’t see Kuminga putting up another goose egg as a rebounder. He’s 6-foot-8, with as much athleticism as anyone on the Warriors’ roster.

Kuminga averaged 4.6 rebounds during the regular season and had 11 total boards across Games 2 and 3.

Even if it’s another quiet night on the glass, though, Kuminga’s scoring touch can carry him most (if not all) of the way.

In three playoff games without Curry, Kuminga is averaging 23.7 points on 59.5% shooting.

Randle 20+ points (-182): Randle has a $31 million player option for next season, but based on his playoff results, I think he’s earned himself a lot more money by opting for free agency.

There’s more basketball to be played first, though, and Randle is a key reason why the Timberwolves are one win shy of the conference finals.

23.3 PPG
15+ points in 9 of 9 games
20+ points in 7 of 9 games

It’s not like Randle’s shooting numbers are off the charts, either.

He had a 48.5 FG% and 34.4 3PT% during the regular season. In the playoffs, Randle has posted a 48.3 FG% and a 34.7 3PT%.

Randle has played 40-plus minutes and attempted 20-plus shots in back-to-back games. That type of volume will certainly play.

Timberwolves vs. Warriors predictions made at 2:10 p.m. ET 05/13/2025.

Pacers vs. Cavaliers SGP predictions Game 5: Bet overs on Darius Garland, Andrew Nembhard

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win on Tuesday night to stay alive in the second round against the Indiana Pacers.

The pregame narrative: Indiana won Games 1 and 2 on the road before earning a 20-point win on Sunday to push Cleveland to the brink. Now the Cavs are back on home court, where they own a 36-9 record, but their top star is questionable to play.

Check out my Pacers vs. Cavaliers SGP predictions for May 13, featuring Darius Garland and Andrew Nembhard.

Pacers vs. Cavaliers predictions

Parlay: Over 224.5 points | Garland over 18.5 points | Nembhard over 11.5 points (+333)

Over 224.5 points (-188): These teams have matched up eight times since January, and they’ve largely made a habit of playing some high-scoring hoops.

Overs are 5-3 in Cleveland/Indiana meetings this season — including 3-1 in the postseason.

The lone under in this series was a 230-point total (with the line set at 232 points). And the teams shot a combined 29.9% from 3-point range that night.

All of that is to say, all four playoff matchups have featured 230-plus points.

Both the Pacers and Cavaliers played at top-10 paces during the regular season, and Indiana has had the third-fastest pace in the playoffs.

I expect another solid point total tonight.

NBA SGP legs

Garland over 18.5 points (-120): Donovan Mitchell re-aggravated a nagging ankle injury in Game 4 that caused him to miss the second half. Mitchell vowed to reporters that he’ll be out there tonight, but there’s no guarantee of how effective he’ll be.

That makes Garland’s presence even more critical.

Having averaged 20.6 points during the regular season, Garland was already looked upon as a centrepiece of the Cavaliers’ offence.

This milestone scoring prop is definitely in range, especially with Mitchell’s status in question.

Garland has 20+ points in 43 of 79 games (54.4%) this season, playoffs included.

He had 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting (8-for-8 from the free-throw line) in just 27 minutes in Game 4 vs. Indiana.

Nembhard over 11.5 points (-120): Nembhard was excellent during Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland, cashing this prop both times.

Game 1: 23 points (37 minutes)

Game 2: 13 points (36 minutes)

The minute totals are as interesting to me as the point totals because they demonstrate that Nembhard tends to be on the court in meaningful moments.

He only had 17 total points in Games 3 and 4, but he also played 30 or fewer minutes in both matchups because they were blowouts.

With the hope that tonight’s game is a close one again, Nembhard will hopefully have the opportunity to stay involved as a scorer.

The Aurora, Ontario native is shooting 50.0% from 3-point range and 86.7% from the free-throw line this postseason. He’s averaging 14.2 PA and is 6-3 against this line.

Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions made at 1:00 p.m. ET 05/13/2025.

Nuggets vs. Thunder SGP predictions Game 5: Bet on OKC to win big behind Gilgeous-Alexander

The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder’s series is now a best-of-three, with the latter having home court advantage.

The pregame narrative: OKC is heavily favoured to win Game 5 at Paycom Center on Tuesday, which would push Denver to the brink of elimination. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played his best ball at home this season and is odds-on to score 30-plus points.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Thunder SGP predictions for May 13, featuring SGA and Jamal Murray.

Nuggets vs. Thunder predictions

Parlay: Thunder -7.5 | Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ points | Murray 6+ assists (+340)

Thunder -7.5 (-180): The Thunder have been nearly unbeatable at home this season, posting a 38-7 record at Paycom Center throughout the regular season and playoffs.

They lost Game 1 against the Nuggets at home after flatlining in the fourth quarter and blowing an 11-point lead, but responded with an emphatic 149-106 rout two nights later.

I don’t expect another 40-point win, but I’m confident OKC can cover this number.

The Thunder are 30-13-2 ATS as home favourites this season, winning those games by an average of 16.3 points, according to Team Rankings.

They have a +27.4 net rating at home in the playoffs. That’s nearly double the next closest team (Los Angeles Clippers +15.0).

Nikola Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander are the game’s brightest stars, but Denver lacks the depth to compete in this matchup.

The Thunder are scoring the third-most bench points this postseason, while the Nuggets are scoring the second-fewest.

Embed: #113703

NBA SGP legs

Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ points (-165): Gilgeous-Alexander has been remarkably consistent against this milestone all year.

32.7 PPG (NBA-high)

30+ points in 49 of 76 starts in regular season (64.4%)

30+ points in 4 of 8 playoff starts (50.0%)

The Canadian scored 33 and 34 points in his two home games this series while shooting a combined 23-of-39 from the field. He does a ton of damage at the free-throw line, too, averaging 8.75 FTA/game this postseason.

SGA has scored at least 25 points in 11 of his last 12 games against Denver, reaching this milestone six times.

Murray 6+ assists (-143): Denver’s offence will always run through Jokic, but Murray has been a sneakily productive facilitator this postseason.

He’s cleared this line in seven of 11 games and has been dishing the ball at a slightly higher rate than Jokic against the Thunder.

Murray is averaging 13.8 potential assists per game against OKC, while Jokic is averaging 13.5. NBA.com categorizes a potential assist as a pass that leads directly to a shot.

If he keeps passing at that level, we only need his teammates to make 45% of those shots to cash this wager.

Nuggets vs. Thunder predictions made at 9:50 a.m. ET 05/13/2025.

Pacers vs. Cavaliers SGP predictions Game 5: Bet overs on Darius Garland, Andrew Nembhard

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win on Tuesday night to stay alive in the second round against the Indiana Pacers.

The pregame narrative: Indiana won Games 1 and 2 on the road before earning a 20-point win on Sunday to push Cleveland to the brink. Now the Cavs are back on home court, where they own a 36-9 record, but their top star is questionable to play.

Check out my Pacers vs. Cavaliers SGP predictions for May 13, featuring Darius Garland and Andrew Nembhard.

Pacers vs. Cavaliers predictions

Parlay: Over 224.5 points | Garland 20+ points | Nembhard over 17.5 points/assists (+370)

Over 224.5 points (-182): These teams have matched up eight times since January, and they’ve largely made a habit of playing some high-scoring hoops.

Overs are 5-3 in Cleveland/Indiana meetings this season — including 3-1 in the postseason.

The lone under in this series was a 230-point total (with the line set at 232 points). And the teams shot a combined 29.9% from 3-point range that night.

All of that is to say, all four playoff matchups have featured 230-plus points.

Both the Pacers and Cavaliers played at top-10 paces during the regular season, and Indiana has had the third-fastest pace in the playoffs.

I expect another solid point total tonight.

NBA SGP legs

Garland 20+ points (-103): Donovan Mitchell re-aggravated a nagging ankle injury in Game 4 that caused him to miss the second half. Mitchell vowed to reporters that he’ll be out there tonight, but there’s no guarantee of how effective he’ll be.

That makes Garland’s presence even more critical.

Having averaged 20.6 points during the regular season, Garland was already looked upon as a centrepiece of the Cavaliers’ offence.

This milestone scoring prop is definitely in range, especially with Mitchell’s status in question.

Garland has 20+ points in 43 of 79 games (54.4%) this season, playoffs included.

He had 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting (8-for-8 from the free-throw line) in just 27 minutes in Game 4 vs. Indiana.

Nembhard over 17.5 points/assists (-117): Nembhard was excellent during Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland, cashing this prop easily both times.

Game 1: 23 points, 6 assists (37 minutes)

Game 2: 13 points, 13 assists (36 minutes)

The minute totals are as interesting to me as the points/assists totals, because they demonstrate that Nembhard will be on the court in meaningful moments.

He only had 14 PA apiece in Games 3 and 4, but he also played 30 or fewer minutes in both matchups because they were blowouts.

With the hope that tonight’s game is a close one again, Nembhard will hopefully have the opportunity to stay involved as a scorer and passer.

The Aurora, Ontario native is shooting 50.0% from 3-point range and 86.7% from the free-throw line this postseason. He’s averaging 20.2 PA and is 6-3 against this line.

Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions made at 9:00 a.m. ET 05/13/2025.

NBA playoff prop bets May 13: Back Mobley and Turner, Fade Jokic on Tuesday night

Three big men have my attention for Tuesday’s NBA playoff action.

The pregame narrative: Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers try to keep their season alive at home vs. the Indiana Pacers. Later on, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets battle for the upper hand out West.

Check out my NBA prop bets for Monday, May 13, which include predictions on Mobley, Myles Turner and Nikola Jokic.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Mobley over 28.5 points/rebounds (-120)

I made this wager in Game 4, and it fell flat on its face with Mobley recording 10 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

The Pacers grabbed the early advantage and never looked back after leading by 41 points at halftime.

This resulted in a negative game script for most players, so I’ll choose to have a short memory and jump right back in.

Mobley missed Game 2 of this series, but look how he performed in Games 1 and 3:

19.0 points/game
11.5 rebounds/game
15-for-25 from the field (60%)

Mobley broke out on offence this season and is now one of the best two-way players in basketball. He averaged 19.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in his two regular-season meetings with Indiana.

Cleveland needs a win to keep its season alive, and another dominant performance by Mobley should be expected in this matchup.

Key stat: The Pacers allowed the seventh-most points (23.93) and second-most rebounds (11.28) to power forwards in the regular season, per Fantasy Pros.

Best NBA picks

Turner over 6.5 rebounds (-138): On the other side, Turner has been tasked with containing two bruisers down low.

While Mobley provides a threat inside, so does Jarrett Allen, who’s a double-double threat on any night.

That’s led to 15.3 potential rebounds per game for Turner this series. That’s more than his average of 13.6 in the regular season.

Overall, Turner is 3-1 against this line while grabbing 7.3 boards a night.

Additionally, the big man has totalled more rebounds when playing in Cleveland.

Game 1 @ Cleveland: 11 rebounds
Game 2 @ Cleveland: 8 rebounds
Game 3 @ Indiana: 3 rebounds
Game 4 @ Indiana: 7 rebounds

Expect a similar performance on the road in Game 5.

Jokic under 27.5 points (-130): Fading Jokic as a scorer this season hasn’t been as safe as in years past.

The Serbian big man averaged a career-high in points (29.6) while shooting 57.6% from the field.

He looked on track to dominate this series as well, but OKC figured something out and is now containing the three-time MVP.

Game 1: 42 points (15-for-29)
Game 2: 17 points (6-for-16)
Game 3: 20 points (8-for-25)
Game 4: 27 points (7-for-22)

It’s uncharacteristic for Jokic to have three bad shooting performances in a row, but the Thunder have a trio of defensively sound bigs and led the NBA with a 106.6 defensive rating in the regular season.

I would be hesitant to fade Jokic if he were choosing to shoot less, but his inability to score 28-plus on a high volume of shots proves that OKC’s strategy is working.

The Thunder’s defensive rating has improved to 100.2 in the playoffs.

NBA prop picks made at 4:55 p.m. ET on 05/12/2025.

NBA playoff prop bets May 13: Back Mobley and Turner, Fade Jokic on Tuesday night

Three big men have my attention for Tuesday’s NBA playoff action.

The pregame narrative: Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers try to keep their season alive at home vs. the Indiana Pacers. Later on, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets battle for the upper hand out West.

Check out my NBA prop bets for Monday, May 13, which include predictions on Mobley, Myles Turner and Nikola Jokic.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Mobley over 28.5 points/rebounds (-122)

I made this wager in Game 4, and it fell flat on its face with Mobley recording 10 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

The Pacers grabbed the early advantage and never looked back after leading by 41 points at halftime.

This resulted in a negative game script for most players, so I’ll choose to have a short memory and jump right back in.

Mobley missed Game 2 of this series, but look how he performed in Games 1 and 3:

19.0 points/game
11.5 rebounds/game
15-for-25 from the field (60%)

Mobley broke out on offence this season and is now one of the best two-way players in basketball. He averaged 19.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in his two regular-season meetings with Indiana.

Cleveland needs a win to keep its season alive, and another dominant performance by Mobley should be expected in this matchup.

Key stat: The Pacers allowed the seventh-most points (23.93) and second-most rebounds (11.28) to power forwards in the regular season, per Fantasy Pros.

Embed: #113698

Best NBA picks

Turner over 6.5 rebounds (-130): On the other side, Turner has been tasked with containing two bruisers down low.

While Mobley provides a threat inside, so does Jarrett Allen, who’s a double-double threat on any night.

That’s led to 15.3 potential rebounds per game for Turner this series. That’s more than his average of 13.6 in the regular season.

Overall, Turner is 3-1 against this line while grabbing 7.3 boards a night.

Additionally, the big man has totalled more rebounds when playing in Cleveland.

Game 1 @ Cleveland: 11 rebounds
Game 2 @ Cleveland: 8 rebounds
Game 3 @ Indiana: 3 rebounds
Game 4 @ Indiana: 7 rebounds

Expect a similar performance on the road in Game 5.

Jokic under 28.5 points (-130): Fading Jokic as a scorer this season hasn’t been as safe as in years past.

The Serbian big man averaged a career-high in points (29.6) while shooting 57.6% from the field.

He looked on track to dominate this series as well, but OKC figured something out and is now containing the three-time MVP.

Game 1: 42 points (15-for-29)
Game 2: 17 points (6-for-16)
Game 3: 20 points (8-for-25)
Game 4: 27 points (7-for-22)

It’s uncharacteristic for Jokic to have three bad shooting performances in a row, but the Thunder have a trio of defensively sound bigs and led the NBA with a 106.6 defensive rating in the regular season.

I would be hesitant to fade Jokic if he were choosing to shoot less, but his inability to score 28-plus on a high volume of shots proves that OKC’s strategy is working.

The Thunder’s defensive rating has improved to 100.2 in the playoffs.

NBA prop picks made at 3:55 p.m. ET on 05/12/2025.

Timberwolves vs. Warriors SGP predictions Game 4: Back Anthony Edwards and Jimmy Butler

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an A-plus opportunity to put the Golden State Warriors on the ropes on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Minnesota picked up a tightly-contested win in Game 3 and is favoured to send this series home with a commanding 3-1 lead. Steph Curry remains sidelined for Golden State, and reportedly won’t be back until Game 6 at the earliest.

Check out my Timberwolves vs. Warriors SGP predictions for May 12, featuring Jimmy Butler and Anthony Edwards.

Timberwolves vs. Warriors predictions

Parlay: Under 210.5 points | Edwards 4+ threes | Butler 1+ threes (+280)

Under 210.5 points (-295): I took the under on this exact total in my Game 3 SGP, and it cashed. Unfortunately, Donte DiVincenzo let us down by failing to hit a pair of 3s, but that’s neither here nor there.

Golden State and Minnesota are playing some gritty, defensively-minded basketball this series, and I expect that to continue with the greatest shooter of all time sidelined.

Here are a few reasons why:

The Warriors had the seventh-best defensive rating during the regular season and are seventh among 16 playoff teams.

The T-Wolves were sixth in defensive rating during the regular season and are third among playoff teams.

The T-Wolves and Warriors rank 10th and 13th in true shooting percentage this postseason.

Unders are 7-3 against this number in Golden State’s 10 playoff games. Expect another defensive slog as Steve Kerr bides his time for Curry to return.

NBA SGP legs

Edwards 4+ threes (-120): It sure feels like Edwards has his swagger back after dropping a game-high 36 points in Saturday’s win.

The dynamic shooting guard went 5-for-14 from deep in that game after shooting a combined 3-for-20 in the three games prior.

His efficiency still isn’t great, but I love seeing that type of volume.

Edwards canned four-plus 3s in three of five games against the Los Angeles Lakers and averaged the second-most 3s (4.1) and 3-point attempts (10.3) during the regular season.

Golden State is a strong defensive team, but Edwards should flirt with this line on a nightly basis if he keeps putting up shots.

This feels like a good time to back him to stay hot.

Butler 1+ threes (-295): I’d recommend adding this leg into any SGP you’re making for Game 4.

Butler isn’t a big 3-point shooter, but he’s going to chew up massive minutes in what’s essentially a must-win game for the Warriors.

The small forward has hit a pair of 3s in every game this series, and is averaging 4.8 three-point attempts without Curry (including Game 1) since joining Golden State.

That’s not a ton of volume, but it should be more than enough to cash in a single 3-ball.

Timberwolves vs. Warriors predictions made at 11:00 a.m. ET 05/12/2025.

Celtics vs. Knicks SGP predictions Game 4: Bet on Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson at +290

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks meet for a pivotal Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Boston has led by 20 in every game, and finally converted one of those big leads to a win on Saturday. The Celtics have won five straight games at MSG and are favoured to level this series at 2-2.

Check out my Celtics vs. Knicks SGP predictions for Game 4 on May 12, featuring Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson.

Celtics vs. Knicks predictions

Parlay: Celtics moneyline | Brunson 6+ threes | Bridges over 7.5 rebounds and assists (+290)

Celtics moneyline (-250): Credit to New York for mounting a pair of improbable comebacks, but this series should really be 3-0 in Boston’s favour.

The Celtics have led by 20 in every game and had to go on uncharacteristically cold shooting spells to let the Knicks back into Games 1 and 2.

On Saturday, Boston left no doubt — it took a 25-point lead into halftime and coasted its way to a comfortable win.

Five different players scored 15-plus points, as the squad shot a collective 50.0% from beyond the arc.

The Celtics had won eight of their last nine games vs. the Knicks before this series started, and were an NBA-best 33-8 on the road during the regular season.

Joe Mazulla’s group has championship pedigree, and I expect them to tie the series tonight.

Embed: #113674

NBA SGP legs

Brunson 6+ assists (-235): Brunson is really struggling as a shooter this postseason, despite making some massive buckets in crunchtime.

He’s shooting 43.6% from the floor and 33.3% from deep. But the dynamic point guard still has the ninth-highest usage rate this postseason, and that’s helped him clear this line regularly.

7.5 assists/game
7+ assists in 8 of 9 games
5+ assists in 9 of 9 games

Brunson is leading the Knicks in potential assists per game (12.9), which NBA.com categorizes as a pass which leads directly to a shot. That’s eighth among all playoff performers.

Expecting just under half of those to go in seems reasonable to me.

Bridges over 7.5 rebounds and assists (-130): I backed Bridges on this market in the first two games of this series, and he came through.

Game 1: 6 rebounds, 7 assists
Game 2: 7 rebounds, 5 assists

New York’s swingman fell shy of this mark on Saturday (three rebounds, two assists), but I’m expecting a return to form. Bridges plays elite defence and eats huge minutes for Tom Thibodeau, which in turn leads to plenty of opportunities.

He’s averaging 40.3 minutes a night this postseason and has cleared this line in four of his last seven games, while landing on seven rebounds/assists twice.

Bridges also hit this mark in five straight games to close out the regular season. He’s 9-5 vs. this mark in his last 14 games overall.

Knicks vs. Celtics predictions made at 9:00 a.m. ET 05/12/2025.

NBA playoff prop bets May 12: Without Curry, bet on Hield and Kuminga to shine

Steph Curry’s injury absence for the Golden State Warriors has me targeting a pair of his teammates on Monday’s prop market.

The pregame narrative: Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga have both stepped up and stuffed the stat sheet in Curry’s absence. Can they do it again and try to help the Warriors even their second-round series?

Check out my NBA prop bets for Monday, May 12, which also include a prediction on Derrick White.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: White over 16.5 points (-118)

After blowing a 20-point lead in back-to-back games, everything finally came together — and didn’t fall apart — for the Boston Celtics in Game 3.

But amid all the turbulence of this second-round series, White has been a rock. He’s the guy I trust most for Boston right now, and this points prop should remain well within his reach.

White is 6-2 against this line in the postseason, averaging 17.8 PPG.

Aside from the Celtics’ 31-point win to close out their first-round series, White has seen an impressively steady diet of scoring opportunities. Excluding that blowout win, the guard has attempted 6+ threes and 10+ shots in all seven games.

If we exclude the closeout win against Orlando, White’s 2025 postseason averages look like this:

38.7 minutes
19.8 PPG
14.6 FGA
9.9 3PA

It’s obviously convenient for me to wipe his worst game from the record, but keep in mind that the Knicks are expected to play much tighter games against the Celtics than the Magic could.

And close games mean more opportunities for White.

After averaging a career-high 16.4 PPG during the regular season, White has carried his productivity forward into the most important time of year.

The Knicks have seen plenty of strong performances from White already, and I’ll bet they get another one in Game 4.

Key stat: In seven games against the Knicks this season, White is 6-1 against this line while averaging 18.6 PPG.

Best NBA picks

Hield over 13.5 points (-130): Hield has spent most of his nine-year NBA career out of the spotlight, as a 3-point specialist more than anything else.

He has never been an all-star, but with Curry (hamstring) currently sidelined for the Warriors, Hield will have to play at an all-star-calibre clip to keep Golden State in contention.

Hield has cleared this line in four straight games, thanks in large part to 22-of-36 (61.1%) shooting from 3-point range.

In 14 games without Curry this season, Hield is 9-5 against this line and averaging 13.9 PPG.

Coming off four straight games with 11-plus shots and eight-plus attempted 3s, I’m buying in on Hield’s volume with the shorthanded Warriors.

Kuminga over 22.5 points/rebounds (-118): Welcome back to the lineup, Kuminga.

Trade rumours swirled earlier this postseason for Kuminga, who sat out four of Golden State’s first eight games despite being healthy.

With Curry injured, the Warriors had no choice but to see what Kuminga could offer with some extended run.

In Games 2 and 3, he totalled 48 points on 65.5% shooting and added 11 rebounds. Just as importantly, Kuminga played 25-plus minutes in both games.

Without Curry this season, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 20.3 PPG and 4.4 rebounds in 12 matchups.

Kuminga provides more bounce as a rebounder than Draymond Green, and he’s a confident enough scorer to create his own shot consistently.

To me, the upside is high for a player who has new life in what might be his last chance to convince Golden State brass to keep him.

NBA prop picks made at 4:36 p.m. ET on 05/11/2025.