NBA Best Bets: Monday Night Overs For Round Two

Round two of the NBA Playoffs has arrived. Cleveland knocked off the Orlando Magic to wrap up the first round, and the Minnesota Timberwolves started the second round on Saturday with a big win in Denver. What does Monday night have in store?

Here are SporSportsGrid’s site picks for the first Monday of round two actions in the NBA. 

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10:00 p.m. ET – Minnesota at Denver

Spread: Denver (-5.5) | Moneyline:  | Total: 205.5

Where to Watch: TNT | Location: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado

The Minnesota Timberwolves seized home-court advantage as they upset the Denver Nuggets in Ball Arena in game one on Saturday night. Anthony Edwards erupted for 43 points as he set the tone early, and then Naz Reid finished strong with an outstanding fourth quarter to help put the defending champions away. Minnesota outrebounded Denver by eight (42 to 34), and the Nuggets were limited to only 46.7 percent shooting from the field by the Timberwolves’ defense. The Nuggets now face a crucial Game 2 as they try to earn a split before traveling to Minnesota.

The two teams reached 205 points in Game 1, and the total for Game 2 is 205.5, with the SportsGrid model placing four stars on this game, going over the total. The Nuggets will need more production from Jamal Murray after only 17 points on 6-14 shooting. Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined to provide only 15 points in 70 minutes of action, and Aaron Gordon was a game-worst -23 in plus/minus during his 33 minutes on the court. Expect the Denver Nuggets to make some adjustments to get more clean looks for Murray and push this game over the posted total.

SporSportsGrid’st Bets: Over 205.5 | SportsGrid Projections: 4-stars

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7:30 p.m. ET – Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks

Spread: New York (-6.5) | Moneyline:  | Total: 217.5

Where to Watch: TNT | Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers rekindle a playoff rivalry from a couple of decades ago. After years of leading the charge for the right to lose to the Chicago Bulls, both franchises have floundered in mediocrity (or worse) but are now playing exciting basketball and battling for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 of the series tips off in Madison Square Garden tonight, and the SportsGrid model has a lean to the under on the 217.5 for the Monday night showdown. 

The Indiana Pacers have struggled mightily on defense during the 2023-2024 regular season. They play at one of the league’s best tempos, making the over a very tempting play in every Indiana game. Injuries to Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo aided the Pacers in round one. Still, Indiana hammered the Bucks in the regular season, and that carried over to the playoffs, when they wiped out Milwaukee in six games, scoring at least 120 points in each of their four victories. The defense looked better in spots, but they will be playing a much tougher Knicks team with a ball-dominant guard who can control pace. Jalen Brunson is playing at an incredibly high level, and the battle of Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton will go a long way towards determining the outcome.

SporSportsGrid’st Bets: Over 217.5 | SportsGrid Projections: 1-star

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