NBA Playoffs Round 2 betting picks & top odds – Game 2, May 4

Each series of round two in the 2022 NBA Playoffs has officially kicked off and nothing too crazy has happened. The only game-one upset was Milwaukee over the Celtics, and even that wasn’t too surprising given the Bucks are defending champions and have the best player in the world. Regardless, there is a lot of high-level basketball yet to be played and it would be foolish to call any of these series after game one. The picture will become clearer after game two, and both of Wednesday’s games will be intense. Here are BettingPlanet’s top picks for those matchups.

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat

The Sixers looked dead in the water in game one and lost by 14. They had nothing going without Joel Embiid and looked flummoxed by the Heat’s defensive strategy. Embiid still won’t return here, but Philly should come out stronger. They may not win, but they are facing a 2-0 deficit and it will be hard to come back from that. James Harden has yet to have a vintage Harden game in this playoffs and he may be motivated enough to go off. The Sixers have scoring talent and if they are hitting their threes, this game will be closer.

The Heat are a great defensive team who thrive on motivation. Up 1-0 against an Embiid-less Sixers, they may come out a little flat at the start of this game. They will be at home, so that will help them, but Philadelphia simply has the pressure right now. It’s important to look at NBA playoff series as a whole, and not a clean slate every game. This could be Philly’s last chance to advance in the playoffs. Take the Sixers and the points and watch them work harder than the Heat in order to even the series.

Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns

Phoenix is up 1-0 is this series and will be looking to make it two finals appearances in a row. While the Suns have stumbled a little bit in these playoffs, they are still one of the best teams in the NBA. They were able to handle the Mavericks in game one, and although the Mavs have all the pressure, there won’t be a lot Dallas can do. The Suns basically only have to stop Luka Doncic, and while that’s super difficult, it limits Dallas’ creativity. Phoenix is overall a better team and should be motivated to take a comfortable 2-0 lead in this series.

Dallas can only win on the back of Luka. While he is an elite player, you need depth in the playoffs and it’s going to be very difficult for them to adjust. Dallas simply doesn’t have the role players necessary to compete against Phoenix. The Suns have an extraordinarily deep bench and can make all sorts of adjustments if things aren’t working. Veteran superstar Chris Paul will meticulously break down the Mavs defense and help lift his side to a 2-0 lead. Keep taking the Suns at the line until the Mavs prove they have more options outside of Luka.

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