Last Updated on May 13, 2024 1:28 pm by Erwin Noguera
The NBA Conference Semifinals series are as interesting as they can get, as none of the eight teams is letting the others get ahead by much. With two of the clashes entering the 4th game later today and the other two preparing for the 5th clash, we are going one day at a time as the teams make their way to the conference Final.
We currently have the Pacers and the Knicks tied at 2-2, along with the Timberwolves and the Nuggets, who are also at the same point as they await the 5th match. At the same time, the other four teams prepare for their clash later today, as the Boston Celtics lead 2-1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Dallas Mavericks have the same lead as they enter the 4th match against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With things as tight and contested, as they are on both sides, fans all over the place are excited to see this match unfold and see which exciting clash will be the one that we get for the Conference Finals.
Things have been pretty close for the teams so far, so it is time to start breaking down both what has happened so far and what we expect to see coming up in these Series, so get comfortable on your seat as we start diving in deep on the NBA Conference Semifinals so far.
2024 NBA Conference Semifinals: Cavaliers vs. Celtics
When and Where?
Monday, May 13, 7:00 pm ET at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Moneyline odds:
Cavaliers 4.32
Celtics 1.295
Things did not go well for the Cavaliers last time, as they lost Game 3 at home 106-93 Saturday, and the Celtics regained the series lead by also covering the spread as 7.5-point favorites.
That was quite the turnaround after Cleveland took Game 2 in Boston 118-94 as a 13-point underdog on Thursday.
The Celtics won their 1st-round series in five games, covering against the Miami Heat in four. Boston throttled Cleveland in the opener of this series, winning by 25 as a 12.5-point favorite (120-95). The Celtics are 3-0 ATS on the road in the playoffs and 22-19-3 ATS on the season, postseason included.
The Celtics are the better team, and have a few blowout victories in this series. We believe they’ll make the most out of the 4th clash and get a comfortable lead here.
Cavaliers vs. Celtics Betting Pick: Celtics
2024 NBA Conference Semifinals: Mavericks vs. Thunder
When and Where?
Monday, May 13, 9:30 pm ET at the American Airlines Center
Moneyline odds:
Mavericks 1.918
Thunder 2.214
This is the Dallas Mavericks’ chance to go up 3-1 on the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. Given the narrative that Luka Doncic struggles to get his team over the hump in the playoffs, this would be a massive win for him and the Mavs as a whole.
This is without counting out their opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will not let that happen so easily. Even though the Thunder have now dropped two in a row, Game 3 seemed a little fluky. Any time a team can hold Doncic to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, they should have a good chance of winning. That is, unless, P.J. Washington records his second-straight game with 25-plus.
Before this series, Washington had eleven career games with 27 or more points. He’s now done so twice in the last two games.
That is remarkable for the former Charlotte Hornet, and the Thunder must imagine that it can’t last much longer. If they can just keep playing their game and limiting Doncic’s impact, they have to hope that, eventually, the Mavericks will fall apart.However, if it doesn’t work tonight, it may be too late for them to recover.
Mavericks vs. Thunder Betting Pick: Mavericks
2024 NBA Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Pacers
When and Where?
Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 pm ET at the Madison Square Garden
Moneyline odds:
Knicks 1.807
Pacers 2.381
Indiana cruised to a 121-89 win in Game 4, with six players scoring in double-digits. Tyrese Haliburton ended up with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and four 3-pointers.
After winning two games at home, the New York Knicks headed to Indianapolis with hopes of securing at least one victory on the road. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to achieve that goal. It seems that their opportunity slipped away in Game 3, as they appeared to be out of contention in Game 4.
The New York Knicks thrive on energy and have a strong connection with their home crowd. This might be their only hope of securing a victory in the upcoming game, as their strength seems to be dwindling.
The Indiana Pacers will have their chance in this game, and as the series progresses, they seem to be growing as favorites. To secure a road victory, they need to stick to their game plan, which would bring the win within reach.
Knicks vs. Pacers Betting Pick: Pacers
2024 NBA Conference Semifinals: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves
When and Where?
Tuesday, May 14, 10:30 pm ET at the Ball Arena
Moneyline odds:
Nuggets 1.615
Timberwolves 2.818
Where can I watch it?
The champs are back. So is the MVP.
Led by sizzling shooting and a stunning surge to conclude the second quarter, the Denver Nuggets secured a 115-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. After dropping the first two games at home, Denver has tied the series at 2-2 and re-seized the home-court advantage it earlier ceded in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Nuggets took control on Sunday with a 12-0 run late in the first quarter that ended with Denver leading, 29-24. A 12-2 run to start the second quarter extended the lead to 41-26 before Anthony Edwards clawed the Timberwolves to back within 56-49.
Then the Nuggets stunned Target Center, capping a 8-0 run in the final 20 seconds of the half to extend Denver’s lead to 64-49
Minnesota cut its deficit to as close as 113-107 in the final minute. But the Nuggets regained their swagger after being outmatched and outplayed by the upstart Timberwolves in the first two games.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Betting Pick: Nuggets
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