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The 2024 NBA Playoffs have been action-packed, and Saturday’s quadruple-header offers something for every fan and bettor.
Three of the four games on Saturday’s docket feature tight spreads, but there are four value opportunities on the BetMGM betting market.
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The day starts with the Magic hosting the Cavaliers for Game 4 (1 p.m. ET, TNT). Cleveland stifled Orlando in the first two games of the series, but the Magic bounced back in a major way with a 121-83 Game 3 victory.
The Pelicans look to find a pulse back at home against the top-seeded Thunder (3:30 p.m., TNT). OKC narrowly beat the Zion-less Pels in Game 1, then crushed them by 32 in Game 2.
Speaking of crushed, how crushed will Celtics fans be if Miami takes a 2-1 series lead at home (6 p.m., TNT)? Erik Spoelstra’s Heat culture is striking again, and everybody played a part in the Game 2 upset that featured 23 treys.
Closing out the night, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will look to close out their opening-round series against the Lakers (8:30 p.m., ABC). It would mark Denver’s 12th consecutive win over LeBron James and L.A. and second-straight playoff sweep of the modern GOAT.
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Here are the highest-value moneyline, spread, over/under and player prop wagers on the BetMGM betting market for Saturday’s NBA playoff action.
Best NBA playoff bets and spreads tonight: Top ATS pick
Nuggets -3.5 at Lakers (-110)
The Lakers have battled in this series, but for the second postseason in a row it simply doesn’t matter. Denver is flat-out too good from top to bottom, and the Nuggets’ relentless pursuit of victory has been far too much for Los Angeles.
Michael Malone has the reigning champions playing arguably the best basketball we’ve ever seen out of a Denver team. The Nuggets aren’t just a prime candidate to exact yet another series sweep — but one of the best bets to once again win the entire thing.
The Nuggets simply blow out opponents when their three-point shot is falling and dominate the paint and boards when it’s not. Everyone in the rotation knows their role, and the right pass gets made in the vast majority of offensive possessions. And when a stop is needed, Denver makes a stop. When a shot needs to be made, Nikola Jokic orchestrates the offense and either hits it or lets Clutch King Jamal Murray drain a buzzer-beater.
The Nuggets are a perfect harmonious symphony, and the older, less-talented Lakers look like an outdated garage band with no direction. The will of Darvin Ham’s Lakers seems broken, and all that’s left for Joker and company on Saturday is to finish the job and move on to Round 2.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Nuggets 109, Lakers 104 — Denver wins (-160) and covers the spread (-3.5) while the score finishes UNDER the total (217.5).
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Best NBA playoff bets tonight: Top moneyline pick
Thunder (-115) at Pelicans
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder looked more dominant in just about every way in Game 2, throttling New Orleans 124-92. Tremendous ball movement led to open looks and balanced scoring all game, while OKC’s Chet Holmgren-anchored defense also made things very difficult for the Pelicans. It feels like this series could be headed for a sweep.
The Pels sorely miss bruising power forward Zion Williamson. NOLA has topped out at 92 points in each of its first two playoff games, and Oklahoma City has been able to dictate the flow and control the rhythm of the game with effortless poise.
The most staggering statistic of Game 2, besides OKC’s shooting splits of 59/48/90? The Thunder’s assist-to-turnover ratio. With 25 dimes and just eight turnovers, they finished with an A:TO of 3.13.
When you’re shooting and passing the ball that well and you’re playing stifling defense, an opponent without its true alpha dog stands little to no chance at extending the series. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are very good, but BI hasn’t been 100 percent since returning from injury and McCollum rarely has that dog in him in the postseason.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Thunder 109, Pelicans 104 — New Orleans wins (-115) and covers (-1.5), with the score finishing OVER the total (208.5).
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Best NBA playoff bets tonight: Top over/under pick
Magic vs. Cavaliers: OVER 201.5 (-110)
This has been a crazy series — these teams combined to score just 362 points over the first two games (181 PPG), with Orlando -24 and looking like it didn’t even belong in the postseason. Then the Magic went back home and exploded for a 121-83 victory.
It’s nice to see Jamahl Mosley’s squad finally get something going offensively, and now expect J.B. Bickerstaff’s Cavs to do the same on Saturday. The Magic have averaged 112.6 PPG at at home this season, while Cleveland has gone 22-12 after a loss since the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
Both these teams are known for their defense, but Orlando packed a mighty offensive punch in Game 3 and Donovan Mitchell and company won’t come in at half-speed after getting embarrassed by 38 points on the road.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Magic 106, Cavaliers 103 — Orlando wins (-140) and narrowly covers the spread (-2.5), and the game finishes OVER the total (201.5).
Best NBA playoff bets tonight: Top player prop pick
Tyler Herro points (Heat vs. Celtics): OVER 20.5 (-110)
Herro loves playing against Boston, and he proved in Miami’s stunning Game 2 upset at TD Garden that he can lead this Heat team back to glory if he turns it up and stays hot. He knocked down six three-pointers and finished as a game-high +21.
The hot-shooting Herro averaged 23.7 points per game against the Celtics during the regular season, and now his usage has bumped up considerably due to Jimmy Butler’s knee injury. In his 16 games with Butler inactive this season, Herro has averaged 21.1 PPG.
Did you see the Celtics’ closeout defense on three-point shooters in Game 2? It was as gross a sight as the 20-year Big Dig construction project that plagued the city of Boston and its taxpayers. Herro should continue to see high usage and make the most of it on Saturday.
NBA playoff bets and spreads tonight: Full odds board
All times are p.m. ET on Saturday. Road teams listed first. All odds courtesy of BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
| Game | Time | ATS | ML | O/U |
| Cavaliers @ Magic |
1:00 | ORL -2.5 | ORL -135 | 201.5 |
| Thunder @ Pelicans |
3:30 | OKC -1.5 | OKC -115 | 207.5 |
| Celtics @ Heat |
6:00 | BOS -9.5 | BOS -450 | 201.5 |
| Nuggets @ Lakers |
8:30 | DEN -3.5 | DEN -160 | 216.5 |
NBA playoff bracket 2024
