The second round of the NBA playoffs is here, with Cleveland and Indiana taking tips on Sunday, while two more games scheduled for Monday.
What is the best bet in the second round after the first round was full of hardships and physical competition?
This is NBA betting experts Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Jim McCormick and Steve Alexander, who like the bets of each series the most.
Odds are updated with publication. The latest odds are ESPN BET
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
Pacers win series (+360)
I argued with myself throughout the season that the Cavaliers’ record is not as good as theirs and that the Pacers have dominated Milwaukee not only in this series, but throughout the season. The Cavaliers are obviously better and much deeper than the Bucks, but the Pacers are also deep and won the season series by beating Cleveland 3-1. This match can be played in seven games and the Pacers have a real chance to win. - - Alexander
The Cavaliers who won the series, 4-3 (+370)
The Knights won't be calm in the Pacers, but they were built to win this series. Indiana's offense and depth will remain competitive, but their defense will ultimately be their withdrawal. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were able to contain Tyrese Haliburton’s penetration in paint. The Pacers won the regular season series 3-1 and finished the year 15-4, but hoped Cleveland eliminated them in a competitive series. - - Moody and unpredictable
Knight-1.5 Game (-180)
Let me be the one who hopes the Knights win and convincingly win. Yes, the Pacers won the season series, but that was misleading. Two of these wins were April when the Cavaliers got the top seed and started on the bench. The Pacers' first win was ahead of the trade deadline trade to send De'andre Hunter to Cleveland and out with Ty Jerome. The Cavaliers are much better off going all out than the Pacers and can beat them in their own style. My official draft pick is the Cavaliers in six games, but I can see them getting this series in five games. - - nose
Series Correct Score Cavaliers 4-1 (+250)
Theme developed as you watch these Eastern Conference showdowns; the higher seeds have a huge advantage and are difficult to overcome in a long-term series. The Pacers have been a great two-way team throughout most of the calendar year, but there is another layer of offense in the half and in the turnover-driven transition output from Cleveland that should overwhelm Indiana. It's not just strategy, the Cavaliers have greater size and skills in the frontcourt, depth and gameplay skills in the backcourt. - McCormick
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Knicks Win Series (+500)
I took the Knicks to win the East before the season started, so I will be fighting them again against the defending champions. Boston beat them 4-0 in the regular season, but one of them was an opening night loss in overtime. In short, Jalen Brunson is the best player in the series, and I'm not sure if Boston has a healthy Karl-Anthony Towns answer. The Knicks’ lack of depth is a huge problem, but everyone is healthy and a great road team. If the Knicks can stay healthy, they will shock the world. - - Alexander
The total game series exceeds 5.5 (+105)
The Knicks have been fighting elite teams all season, so I didn’t shoot against the Celtics before the playoffs began. But Boston is now defeated, Jaru Holidays beaten by Tatum (wrist) hamstring injury in the last three games, and Brown (knee) deals with the injury. The playoffs are still very much to do for the Knicks, which means more time on the best roster on the court. In the way Brunson plays now, I see the Knicks win at least two wins in this series and push the series' total to six or more games. - - nose
Exact series total games - 6 games (+295)
The Knicks fought against the Celtics and lost eight of their last nine games. They also had a tough fight series with the Detroit Pistons. While New York will bring more challenges to Boston than Orlando in the first round, the Celtics are too offensive compared to the outstanding depths of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jaylen Brown and the annual sixth place Payton Pritchard. They are also strong in defense. Boston won’t sweep New York, but I imagine they ended the series with relatively easy ease. - - Moody and unpredictable
Series Correct Score Celtics 4-2 (+400)
The Knicks were unable to score with the Celtics throughout the entire seven games. But the Magic were able to end everything when possible and let them live on the edge, resulting in low scores, close-range games, finding success against Boston. The Knicks should have a chance to use it as a competitive series, but ultimately the Celtics’ wings and three-pointers wave will prove too much. - McCormick
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder and TBD
Once the series is finalized, it will be added. The Thunder will play the winner of the Denver Nuggets/Los Angeles Clippers series.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. TBD
Once the series is finalized, it will be added. Timberwolves will play the winner of the Houston Rockets/Golden State Warriors Series.