The NBA Playoffs have been absolutely incredible thus far, and we’re working hard to make them as profitable as possible for all of our VSiN subscribers. So, make sure you head over to the VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our postseason content. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here throughout the playoffs, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on anything big that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work over the next couple of weeks. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Tuesday, May 13th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 13th
NBA Best Bets Today – May 13
Game 5: Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder – 9:30 pm ET
After a pair of high-scoring games to start the series, we saw two rock fights in Denver. In Game 3, the teams combined to score 217 points in a game that went to overtime. Then, in Game 4, we saw the two combine to score only 179 points. Now, it’s definitely fair to expect a low-scoring Game 5. After all, the shot making hasn’t been there from either team over the last two games, the defenses have been on point and it gets harder to score on an opponent the more you play against them. However, while all of that might be true, my play for Game 5 is the Over on Oklahoma City’s team total of 115.5.
It just doesn’t feel like a coincidence that the Thunder averaged 134.0 points per game in their two home games in this series. While Oklahoma City was a force offensively during the regular season, the rotation is still filled with players that haven’t yet proven themselves on the big stage. Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there’s really nobody on the Thunder that can be trusted to go out and make shots on a nightly basis. But you know what? Getting out of Denver, playing away from that altitude and performing in front of Oklahoma City fans should do wonders for this team.
While the Thunder averaged 120.5 points per game during the regular season, that number went up to 122.8 points per game when playing at the Paycom Center. We have seen a similar story in the postseason. While Oklahoma City is averaging 118.0 points per game in the playoffs, the number goes up to 129.3 points per game at home.
It’s just clear that several Thunder players prefer the comfort of playing in their own building, where they’re more used to the shooting dimensions and don’t feel as much pressure. Well, that should lead to a pretty big number on the scoreboard from Oklahoma City. That might not mean another 149 points, like we saw in Game 2. But I expect the Thunder to take advantage of any good looks they get in this game, and that’s especially true with the team having clawed away a big win in Game 4. There should be a little less pressure on the shoulders of all the Oklahoma City players in this one. That could mean bad things for a Denver team that has looked like a bottom-10 defense in the league for significant stretches of this season.
Pick: Thunder Team Total Over 115.5 (-115)
NBA Player Props Today – May 13
Game 5: Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
Myles Turner said that Rick Carlisle challenged the Pacers after a miserable Game 3 performance, and the entire team responded extremely well to that. Indiana rolled in a Game 4 victory, going up 3-1 in the series. And Turner was a big part of that. The big man had 20 points and seven rebounds in only 22 minutes of action, marking the third time in four games that he reached seven boards. Well, I’m going to Turner to have at least seven rebounds again in Game 5. Turner is aware of the fact that he needs to come up big on the glass, as the Cavaliers have a massive frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. So, if Turner doesn’t hold his own in the rebound department, Indiana won’t stand a chance against Cleveland. Turner is also averaging 15.3 rebound chances per game in this series, which is a good amount for somebody with a total of 6.5 boards in this game. That said, I’ll take my chances with the center pulling down half of his opportunities on the road.
Pick: Turner Over 6.5 Rebounds (-130)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 411-420-2 (+6.61 units)
