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

The second slate of games in round two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs are set to tip off this Monday. Once again, we are at the point in the postseason where everyone has a legitimate chance to win the title. There are only eight teams remaining and it’s crunch time. Sure, it’s only game one and no series will be decided by the end of the night, but it’s a big game in terms of setting the tone. Whether you are at home or away, winning game one is a big step towards the ultimate goal. We have a pick for each of the two games on the schedule this Monday.

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat

This series starts on an unfortunate note. Joel Embiid was injured at the end of the Sixers’ closeout game against the Raptors, so he will be out for the first two games in Miami. In what was already projected to be a tightly contested series, that could be the difference. Embiid is a legitimate superstar and one of the best players in the league. His loss is immeasurable and will be very hard for Philly to overcome. While they still have James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, Embiid is what makes this team work, and without him, they don’t appear to stand a chance.

The Heat’s calling card is their defensive acumen. With Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry, the Heat are relentless defensively. They have also surrounded those guys with good shooters who are expected to hit threes at a high rate. Ultimately, the Heat’s success will come down to their offense, as their defense is almost guaranteed to do its job. Embiid is hugely important on defense for Philly, and his absence gives Miami the edge. The Heat will be at home and looking to get a big game one out of the way. Take the Heat minus the points until the Sixers get Embiid back and healthy.

Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns

Of all the second round series, this one projects to be the most lopsided. The Mavs are led by Luka Doncic, who may be the best player on the court, but the next five best players all play for Phoenix. The Suns have a very consistent team with a lot of good role players; that’s the reason they won the most games in the NBA regular season. The Suns struggled more than expected in round one, but they had to play a lot of games without their best scorer, Devin Booker. He is back and that gives the Suns the edge. They will be at home and shouldn’t struggle too much with the Mavs.

The Mavs are a fun team, but beyond Luka they aren’t very good. Doncic will do his best, but the Suns know what they are up against and stopping Luka will be their priority. They will force him to pass the ball away, and when that happens, the Mavs just aren’t that scary. The Suns are a phenomenal team in all facets of the game and shouldn’t have too much trouble at home. Expect them to win and cover in this massive game one.

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