Now that we’re in the thick of it NBA playoffs, the basketball betting market is hotter than ever. CBS Sports will provide daily picks for the duration of the playoffs. Sam Quinn will make at least one pick for every game by NBA Finals. All lines courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Featured Game | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Philadelphia’s poor 3-point shot is the only thing keeping all three games in this series from over. Game 3 topped the Game 4 total despite both teams combining for just 60 points in the paint. Boston has scored at least 112 points in nine games played this offseason. Until someone actually proves they can slow the Celtics down, you should expect them to score on the board. Until the Celtics prove they can sustain their defense over an entire series, you should consider their bets wise. The pick: Over 214.5
Featured Game | Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets
It took 86 points from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant for the Suns to win Game 3. Now Phoenix will likely get more than seven points off their third-leading scorer in Game 4, but very little happened on Friday. was particularly encouraging. for Phoenix. The Nuggets generated clean 3-pointers for much of the night and just struggled to make them. Devin Booker shot 80% from the field and Kevin Durant made 14 free throws, a new season high. DeAndre Ayton was visibly frustrated when Monty Williams opted to close out Game 3 with Jock Landale at center, and after everything that’s happened between those two, it’s unclear how Ayton will react to that decision. Right now, the Suns are just too skinny to reasonably compete with Denver over seven games. It took a heroic effort from two mega stars to win Game 3. Chances are it won’t happen again in Game 4. The choice: nuggets +3.5