Place a wager on one spread, one total for the Knicks-Celtics, and Nuggets-Thunder matches scheduled for Monday.
Hop on the NBA Playoffs bandwagon as the action continues on Monday with two thrilling matchups: the New York Knicks going head-to-head against the Boston Celtics, and the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the Denver Nuggets. If you're not already hooked on basketball, placing some bets might just be the push you need!
Let's dig into my picks for Monday's games, keeping in mind that the odds are based on the best available at the time of writing.
2025 NBA Playoffs betting card for Cinco de Mayo
Knicks (+9) at Celtics
The average total for the four Knicks-Celtics regular season meetings was 224.1, with the lowest being 221.5 opening night. Despite the market predicting a lower-scoring affair, it may prove tough for the Celtics to cover the spread given New York's strong recent performances.
While the Celtics had a relatively comfortable series against the Orlando Magic, the Knicks eked out a 4-2 win against the Detroit Pistons. The last four Pistons-Knicks games were decided by three or fewer points, and with Detroit being better than Orlando, it's a positive sign for the Knicks.
The Knicks were built this offseason to take on the Celtics. While I don't think they'll ultimately win the series, they can keep the games close and potentially steal one or two. Jalen Brunson is the best guard in this series, and Karl-Anthony Towns has the upper hand against Kristaps Porzingis.
The Knicks' biggest challenge lies in limiting Boston's 3-point shooting. But, if New York extends its perimeter defense or the Celtics have an off-night, they won't win by double digits. Although the line is moving toward -9.5, I'm still looking to bet on the Knicks to cover.
Prediction: Celtics 112, Knicks 107
OVER 226 in Nuggets at Thunder
Oklahoma City had the sixth-fastest pace during the regular season and led the first round of the postseason in pace. Denver led the NBA in fastbreak points per game in the regular season, ranking fifth in fastbreak offensive efficiency among theplayoff and play-in teams.
The total chopped 2-2 Over/Under (O/U) in the four Nuggets-Thunder meetings this season, but three of those games combined for 230+ points. With Denver pushing the pace to keep up with Oklahoma City and the favorable officiating situation, I'm inclined to bet on the OVER.
Prediction: Thunder 122, Nuggets 115
Follow me on Twitter @Geoffery_Clark for more betting content and random rants. I'll be adding bets to my NBA 2024-25 betting record throughout the season.
While specific data for the 2025 playoffs on teams playing on one-day rest and historical O/U records for referee crews isn't readily available, trends often show that rest can impact team performance, with well-rested teams generally having an advantage. Certain referees may also influence game totals through their calling styles.
- On Monday, consider betting on the New York Knicks to cover the spread against the Boston Celtics despite the lower-scoring prediction, due to the Knicks' strong performances and the potential for the Celtics' 3-point shooting to be limited.
- Likewise, the OVER 226 seems like a good bet for the Nuggets versus Thunder matchup, as both teams have a high pace and a history of high-scoring games, even though specific statistical trends for the 2025 playoffs are not readily available.
- Although the odds for the Knicks-Celtics game are currently at +9 for the Knicks, consider betting on them to cover as the line may move to -9.5, potentially offering better value.
- Monday's games promise thrilling matchups, as the New York Knicks take on the Boston Celtics in what could be a close game, and the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Denver Nuggets in a high-scoring affair filled with fastbreak points.
- If you're interested in NBA betting and receive betting tips from Geoffery_Clark on Twitter, you might find useful insights and analysis to guide your decisions, along with a record of his bets throughout the season.
- Besides the NBA Playoffs, keep an eye on rest and the officiating crew when making OVER/UNDER bets, as these factors can potentially impact team performance and game totals.
