The 2023-24 NBA regular season has ended and the NBA Playoffs have begun. Throughout the postseason, Jonathan von Tobel continues to provide excellent coverage of the world's best league. Click here to see all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column that combines my best NBA bets with NBA player props. So keep reading to find out how I'm playing his playoff game on Sunday, May 5th. Also, check out his NBA Playoff Betting Hub for all series previews and additional postseason content.
We've also created an NBA playoff betting primer with in-depth analysis of everything we'll see in the coming weeks.
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MORE: For all the expert information for May 5th, check out our Pro Picks page.
Today’s NBA Best Bets – May 5th
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 1:00 p.m. ET
Orlando has been the far better team of the two teams since losing a lopsided two-game series opener to Cleveland. Over the past four games, the Magic have a net rating of +18.6 and a defensive rating of 97.9. I think Orlando will simply find a way to protect this Cleveland team and it will end with the Magic getting their first road win of the series. Orlando came horribly close to doing so in Game 5, but the team lost 104-103 in a game that could have gone either way.
The Cavaliers are also getting beat up a bit in the wrong spot here. Jarrett Allen is currently dealing with a rib injury and Evan Mobley will play with a sprained ankle. These two must be ready to protect Paolo Banchero's bowling balls. And the reality is that Banchero's presence makes it hard not to love the Magic here. We know Orlando can defend the perimeter at a high level, and being able to feature Banchero in isolation is a luxury on the other side of the floor. He should be able to finish with baskets or draw fouls on a regular basis. That will be extremely important in tense, low-scoring games.
Also, I trust Jamal Mosley a little more than JB Bickerstaff. Mosley has been pushing the right buttons on this Magic team all year, and I don't think this story ends here. And oddsmakers seem to feel the same way, as this game is the narrowest spread ever between his two games in Cleveland. But I'm earning prize money with the road team.
Bet: Magic ML (+148 – 2 units)
Today’s NBA Player Props – May 5th
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 1:00 p.m. ET
They forced Jalen Suggs to grab over 3.5 rebounds in Game 6, and he responded with six boards in that game. Suggs has had at least four rebounds in five of six games in this series, so I see no reason not to let him do it again. This is a do-or-die Game 7, and Suggs is a fierce player even on a normal day. He should come into this game with real ferocity and focus, but I can't see him sitting on the glass playing this game. Suggs is a very good rebounder for a guard, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game. That's a pretty good number for a 3.5 total player, so I jumped on this one and didn't think twice.
Bet: 3.5 rebounds or more implied (-143)
2023-24 Grade: 350-378-3 (-8.70 units)
