The 2023-24 NBA regular season is over and we have turned the page to the NBA Playoffs. Throughout the postseason, Jonathan Von Tobel will continue to provide you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the playoff games on Monday, May 13th. Also, check out our NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our series previews and additional postseason content.
We also put together an NBA Playoffs Betting Primer with in-depth analysis for everything you’ll see the next couple of weeks.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 13
NBA Best Bets Today – May 13
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks – 9:30 pm ET
It seems like the sharps continue to love Oklahoma City in this series, but I can’t help myself when it comes to backing Dallas as a small home favorite. For as much talk as there has been about Luka Doncic playing injured, he’s still averaging 25.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game over the last two games. Dallas also got a vintage Kyrie Irving playoff performance, with the star guard going for 22 points, seven assists and five boards on 10 for 17 shooting in Game 3. The Mavericks also got countless clutch buckets out of Irving, who was unguardable in isolation situations.
Overall, I just think Dallas’ defense presents a lot of problems for Oklahoma City, which is why I originally liked the Mavericks to win this series. And Dallas has just enough offensively to get by a good Oklahoma City defense, especially with P.J. Washington finding his stroke. Washington is averaging 28.0 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game over the last two games, and he is 12 for 23 from 3 in that span. Ever since Washington was acquired by Dallas at the trade deadline, the forward has been getting nothing but open looks. Well, he’s burying them in this series. That’s a huge part of the reason the Mavericks have stolen the advantage in this series, and I don’t really see Dallas giving it up.
It’s also worth noting that the Thunder did go away from Josh Giddey in Game 3, but that wasn’t enough to swing things in their favor. I just think Dallas’ defense is a little too good for an Oklahoma City team that is clearly missing a consistent source of offense outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. And you never have to worry about the Mavericks offense.
Bet: Mavericks ML (-115 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – May 13
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
Darius Garland hasn’t had more than 21.5 total points and assists in a single game in this series. However, the point guard had six dimes in his first home game in this series, and I like him to hit that mark in Game 4 — and potentially have more. And I also think he’ll contribute more as a scorer at some point in this series. Why not do it in what could be the final Cavaliers home game of the season?
This has undoubtedly been a series in which Donovan Mitchell has been leaned on, and the Cavaliers are going to continue to roll the ball out to Spida. But Garland is still capable of scoring, especially if his jumper starts falling. And he’s also averaging 9.0 potential assists per game in this series, which is a pretty healthy number. Ultimately, I just think that getting Garland going will be a focal point as Cleveland looks to tie this series up. Mitchell can’t do all of it himself. So, even if the Cavaliers do come up short in Game 4, I’m expecting Garland to come out swinging.
Bet: Garland Over 21.5 Points + Assists (+102)
2023-24 Record: 364-394-3 (+13.52 units)
