NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | April 30

The NBA playoffs rage on Tuesday as we get deeper and deeper into the First Round series. There are three games on the schedule Tuesday with two teams facing elimination. Each game has opened with a line of five points or less, which is why the USA Legal Betting team wanted to help by providing our picks for these three games. Meanwhile, this is a good time to check out some sportsbook reviews and look for ways to capitalize on the NBA playoffs with bonuses and welcome offers.

76ers +4 | -115 at bet365

There’s no doubt there will be a lot of action on New York sportsbooks favoring the Knicks to close out this series in convincing fashion. But we’re not sure that’s how things will play out. Three of the four games in this series have been decided by seven points or less, so even a spread of four points feels like a lot for the Knicks to cover against a desperate Philly team that’s in a must-win situation.

It’s also hard to overlook how badly the Knicks have struggled to contain Joel Embiid, who is averaging 35 points and nine rebounds per game in this series. While he’s still battling a knee injury, Embiid is going to give his all in a game the 76ers need to win. For the Knicks, size and depth remain concerns. They can’t rely on getting big rebounding games from Josh Hart and OG Anunoby every time out like they did in Game 4. That makes us think the Sixers will force a close game and could end up winning Game 5.

Cavaliers -4.5 | -110 at BetMGM

The Cavaliers looked great in the first two games of this series, only to be blown out by Orlando in the last two games. But with the home team winning all four games of this series, we’re going to lean toward Cleveland in Game 5. Back at home, Donovan Mitchell should get back on track along with Darius Garland. The Cavs also have too much size for Orlando to contain without the home crowd behind them.

To their credit, the Magic made good adjustments after losing the first two games of the series. But they're not getting 34 points from Franz Wagner every night. Poor performances from Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero in Orlando’s Game 4 win should also raise some eyebrows. It’s also worth noting that the Magic is winless in the team’s last six road games, failing to beat the spread in all six games. In a series dominated by the home team, that’s enough for us to lean toward Cleveland at home in Game 5.

Pacers -3.5 | -113 at BetRivers

Is this really how the season ends for Milwaukee? To be fair, the Bucks were good as home underdogs during the regular season. But they still don't have Giannis while Damian Lillard is questionable to play in a must-win Game 5. After losing three in a row, it’s clear the Bucks don’t have the depth or personnel to survive without Giannis leading the way.

Keep in mind the Bucks are just 4-11 in their last 15 games dating back to the end of the regular season. The Pacers, on the other hand, are 9-3 in their last 12 games. They’ve already won a game in Indiana during this series. They also have two double-digit victories in this series, including a game in which Lillard scored 34 points. With BetRivers only putting a 3.5-point spread on this game, we’re confident the Pacers can cover to close out this series.