The cream is rising to the top, but there are a few twists to deal with. And that makes the second round of the NBA playoffs – the semi-finals in each conference – intriguing for sports bettors looking to cash in on basketball.

And we’re going to help all of you do just that with some props on action that is taking place this weekend.

In the way of getting you up to date, the Milwaukee Bucks will be visiting the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference semi-final playoff opener at 6 PM ET on Saturday, with the Philadelphia 76ers playing host to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday at 1 PM ET in Game 1 of that series.

Bet on the Bucks to Jump Out to an Early Lead

Bucks vs. Nets Betting Report

Let’s start off with some prop plays on the Nets-Bucks game.

1ST QUARTER – BUCKS -1 (+138)

Interestingly, the Nets, who are the league’s top shooting team, not to mention second in scoring, are only ninth in the NBA in first quarter points, and toward the middle of the pack in first quarter margin. So while they are explosive, they don’t necessarily get off to fast starts. They have allowed more points in the first quarter than any other quarter (29.2 points per game).

And we will say this: out of the four quarters, Milwaukee has extracted the widest average margin against its opponents in the first period of play. And for what it’s worth, as a starting unit the Nets haven’t spent as much time together as the Bucks, so there might be a little more “feeling out” on their part than the other way around.

BUCKS-NETS 3RD QUARTER – OVER 61 POINTS (-106)

It would seem that the Bucks allow their opponents to make some successful locker room adjustments at halftime. They have yielded an average of 29.4 points in the third quarter, which is a point and a half more than they have permitted in any other quarter.

Offensively the Bucks (31.1) and Nets (29.7) have combined to average just about 61 points in third quarter action. But consider that the opponents were a part of that equation, and that involves different teams playing at different pace levels. Against each other, the emphasis will be a lot more on defense than offense.

Now let’s talk about the Sixers-Hawks game, which may or may not be moving forward without Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, who has a knee injury that kept him out of Game 5 against Washington. Sure, the 76ers were able to take care of business against the Wizards without him. but Atlanta poses a more formidable challenge.

Is Embiid Going to Play on Sunday?

Hawks vs. 76ers Betting Report

1st QUARTER – HAWKS -2 (+155)

(without Embiid)

This is another alternate line, and it assumes that Embiid would not be available. The rationale involves the difference between the starting lineup of the Sixers with and without their All-Star center. When they haven’t had Embiid in the lineup, they have been outscored by 6.2 points per 100 possessions.

There is the very strong possibility that there will be more scoring if Embiid sits, not only because he is a meaningful defensive presence in the paint, but because penetration by Trae Young and others will open things up on the perimeter, so the Hawks may get three-point shots that are more open.

If the Sixers have to adjust to an aggressive Atlanta game plan designed to take advantage of this turn of events, that could serve to handicap Philly more.

1ST QUARTER – SIXERS -1.5 (+106)

(with Embiid)

In this alternate line, we’d be giving up an extra half-point in exchange for getting a better price. Since Embiid looms as a game-time decision, we wouldn’t be in a position to determine whether any adjustments to the numbers will be made, or when.

But what should be understood is that the Sixers broke out of the gate better than any team in the NBA this season, outscoring their opponents by an average of 3.5 points per game in the first quarter. If Embiid plays, even if it is not for very long, he’ll be there in much of the early going, to help this team get off to a good start.