NBA Playoffs Rd 2 best bets & top odds – Friday, May 13

The 2022 NBA Playoffs are just about in the conference finals stage. While no team has clinched, one team in each matchup has an opportunity to do so and it will be on the opponent to battle for their playoff lives. All of the second-round series have been a treat to watch and it’s been extremely competitive. Guys like Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler have been absolutely balling. It’s do or die time, and we have two games this Friday. Here’s a pick for each one.

Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks

There has not been a lot to separate these teams. Each game in this series has come down to the wire, and so far, the Bucks have prevailed. They are up 3-2 in this series, and the only two games the Bucks lost came off a win. Following that trend, the Celtics would be expected to win this game. And that makes sense. When you lose, you’re naturally going to have more motivation heading into the next game, and that’s exactly what should happen in this series. The Celtics will be pissed with how Game 5 ended, so they should have the intensity needed to win.

The Bucks, however, have a true gamebreaker in Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has dominated every facet of the game in this series and the Celtics have struggled to find an answer for him. Jayson Tatum has yet to really leave his mark on this series, but he tends to elevate his play when Boston needs him. Expect Tatum to bounce back and the Celtics to go to Milwaukee and force a Game 7. It’s how the series has played out, so why would it change now?

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors

Last time out, the Grizzlies dominated the Warriors in a game that was over at halftime. That shouldn’t sit well with the Warriors, and while they are up 3-2, they will be motivated to end this series at home. They won’t want to risk a Game 7 in Memphis, and this could be Golden State’s best chance to win the series. The Grizzlies will yet again be without their star player, Ja Morant, and while that wasn’t a problem last game, it has to be a factor in this one.

The Warriors appeared to just throw Game 5. They still have a comfortable 3-2 lead in the series and will be in front of their home fans. Steph Curry and Jordan Poole provide the Warriors with two guards who are scorching hot on offense, and they feed off the energy of said home fans. Memphis is very scrappy but just does not have the talent to match up to Golden State. Also, the Warriors have been in this spot before; they are battle-tested in the playoffs and will understand what they need to do in this game. Expect them to win against Memphis in a game that may not be particularly close.

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