The NBA playoff action continues with three matches in the early hours of Tuesday morning. We’ve previewed each match and picked out a suggested tip for each one.

NBA Betting Tips

  • Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies – Lakers on the Money Line @ 10/11
  • Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks – Bucks (-5.5) @ 4/5
  • Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets – Nuggets (-7.5) @ 4/5

Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies – Lakers on the Money Line @ 10/11

The Lakers stole Game 1 in Memphis, and will be looking to do the same again here, as it remains to be seen whether superstar guard Ja Morant will be available.

Morant re-injured his right hand during Sunday’s 128-112 setback, while the Lakers have said they will prepare as if he’s playing, as they try to open up a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Games 3 and 4 to follow in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles’ role players, such as Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, stepped up in Game 1, allowing Anthony Davis and LeBron James to take a back seat scoring-wise, and head coach Darwin Ham will be hoping for similar display.

I think the Lakers will take this contest because I don’t believe Memphis have enough to win without Morant, and even if he plays, I don’t think he’ll be feeling 100%.

Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks – Bucks (-5.5) @ 4/5

Miami stunned Milwaukee on their home floor in Game 1, but they will be without Tyler Herro for this matchup, as he is expected to go undergo season-ending surgery later this week for a broken hand.

The Bucks could also be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who exited Game 1 prematurely due to a tailbone injury, and it remains to be seen whether the Greek superstar will be available for Tuesday morning’s showdown.

Herro will be a big miss for the Heat as he is their second-leading scorer, but Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the NBA so the Bucks will be desperate to see him back on the floor as soon as possible.

I think even without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will take this game, who haven’t fallen behind 2-0 in a playoff series since the 2021 Finals against the Phoenix Suns.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets – Nuggets (-7.5) @ 4/5

Minnesota will be hoping for a much-improved display against Denver, after losing Game 1 109-80 last Sunday.

Denver started fast and will be eager to take a 2-0 lead to Minnesota in Game 3, but the Timberwolves will be encouraged by the fact that they managed to split the season series with the top seed in the West in the regular season, and Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t play in any of those meetings.

The two days off between Games 1 and 2 may be the cure for the Timberwolves’ poor shooting on Sunday, but Nikola Jokic is a triple-double threat every night, and controlled the pace on the offensive end in Game 1, relatively easily. However, the Serbian has a wrist problem and is listed as questionable for Game 2, which would be a huge miss.

Jamal Murray has demonstrated he can carry the offensive burden should Jokic be absent for Game 2 – he managed to record 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in his first playoff game since the 2020 bubble in Orlando, so I’m backing Denver for this one.

*All prices correct at the time of writing.

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