NBA Playoffs Picks for Saturday, May 22nd

The NBA playoffs have arrived! The first-round series get going on Saturday, with the entire Saturday slate set and scheduled.

NBA Betting Sites

Let’s familiarize ourselves with the Saturday matchups and some betting angles to consider. Prep for the NBA playoffs starts now.

#6 Miami Heat vs #3 Milwaukee Bucks Picks

Heat vs. Bucks Betting Report

The first game of the weekend is between the Heat and the Bucks, with action tipping off at 2 PM EST.

This is an intriguing 3-6 matchup, with the Heat coming on strong to end the season. This is the same Miami team that went on a run to the Finals a year prior, that experience should be respected.

The Bucks have been solid all season, but Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t yet shown he can take that next step in the playoffs.

Miami’s odds to win the series are currently at +225. Milwaukee’s odds come in at -250.

On paper, the biggest advantage is shooting the three-point for both offenses. The Bucks are one of the best teams at shooting the three, while the Heat grade out as the 23rd perimeter defense.

Surprisingly, the Bucks perimeter defense is even worse – last in the NBA. Duncan Robinson, shooting nearly nine threes per game – could be poised for a big series.

We’ll go with experience in this series, and it starts in Game 1. Our bet is Miami +4.

Free NBA Picks

#5 Dallas Mavericks vs #4 LA Clippers Picks

Mavericks vs. Clippers Betting Report

The second game on Saturday is a star-studded Western Conference matchup. The Mavericks will head to LA to take on the Clippers, with the game tipping off at 4:30 PM EST.

Dallas is a strong team, ranking inside the top-12 on both offense and defense. The Clippers are even stronger, a top-five team on both ends. It’s this elite balance that gives the edge to LA in the series and in Game 1.

Our bet will be on the Clippers to cover the -4.5 spread at home. Additionally – both teams play a slow brand of basketball. The Mavericks rank 25th in pace of play, and the Clippers rank 28th. Bet the under at 219.5 points.

NBA Betting Lines

#7 Boston Celtics vs. #2 Brooklyn Nets Picks

Celtics vs. Nets Betting Report

The Celtics won their way into the playoffs with a 118-100 win over the Wizards in the play-in game. Boston will have a steep hill to climb against this loaded Brooklyn team, especially without Jaylen Brown. Game 1 gets going at 8 PM EST.

Instead of focusing on the spread in this game and throughout the series, let’s turn our attention to points.

The Brooklyn defense is a below-average unit, and the Boston defense struggles to stop the three-point shot. The Nets, owners of the top offense and the fourth-best three-point shooting team, should have no issues getting going.

We’ll be taking the over on Saturday, at 227.5 points. As the lone superstar on the Celtics, expect a big game from Jayson Tatum, take his over throughout the series.

Any and all of the Brooklyn stars are also good bets to get going. With so many mouths to feed, it may be best to just stick with their overs.

NBA Player Props Betting

#6 Portland Trail Blazers vs #3 Denver Nuggets Picks

Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Betting Report

The final game on Saturday is between the Blazers and Nuggets, with action tipping off at 10:30 PM EST.

Denver has weathered the loss of Jamal Murray surprisingly well, with Nikola Jokic taking his game to the next level. The expected MVP does it all for this offense, and the Nuggets should have no issues against Portland’s 27th-ranked defense.

While Damian Lillard leads a strong Trail Blazers offense, the Denver defense is a balanced unit and can slow down Portland. Denver is actually an underdog in the series, with +110 odds to win. The Nuggets are the stronger team with the MVP on their side.

Bet Denver to win the series and take their Game 1 spread at -1.5 points.

About the Author
Kyle Parker
Click to Contact
DocSports, The most trusted name in sports handicapping