The NBA playoffs are firmly underway and the action continues on Monday with three more first round match-ups to look forward to.
The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their postseason campaign with a simple victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday and Donovan Mitchell’s side are heavily favoured to extend their advantage to 2-0 on Monday.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the New York Knicks to a Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers and the hosts will fancy their chances of repeating that success – especially considering Tyrese Maxey’s questionable availability for the clash.
The defending champion Denver Nuggets made easy work of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the series opener last weekend, but it’s safe to assume the four-time champion James has something extra waiting under his sleeve.
NBA Playoffs Tips: Monday 22 April
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic (Cavs lead 1-0)
Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -5.5 (-110)
It looked like business as usual for Cleveland on Saturday, brushing aside the Magic with a 97-83 on home soil – and the visitors didn’t show much to suggest they’ll be able to reverse the form in Game 2.
Donovan Mitchell is by far and away the best player in this series and his supporting cast of playoff-tested pieces like Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland are doing the trick so far.
Paolo Banchero is an admirable young talent but Orlando’s ability to win a series like this feels a few years away at least, so preference is given to the Cavaliers once again.
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers (Knicks lead 1-0)
Best Bet: Philadelphia 76ers Money Line (+220)
76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey is questionable with an illness but the Knicks seem like a solid match-up for Philadelphia and it would be no surprise to see a reverse of the form in Game 2.
New York should begin to struggle to cope with Joel Embiid’s force inside without Julius Randle and Kyle Lowry did a fantastic job of limiting Jalen Brunson on the perimeter.
The value play is to back Philadelphia at the prices and hope that Maxey is made available closer to tip-off – if not, then a cash out is on the cards.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers (Nuggets lead 1-0)
Best Bet: Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 (-110)
The Lakers lost by only nine points last time out but there were many encouraging performances for the travelling side in Game 1 from James and Anthony Davis to suggest they could potentially steal Game 2.
Better showings from Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura could push Los Angeles over the line in Denver – or keep the deficit within seven points.
Darvin Ham is yet to see the best out of Gabe Vincent, who could be a useful playoff piece if he can find a rhythm – and this series doesn’t look too far away from the Lakers’ grasp.
