Thursday Best Bets: Three More NBA Playoff Picks On Tap

Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 13, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Image Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images

In Wednesday’s Best Bets, we overused the saying “two out of three ain’t bad” while singing along to Meat Loaf.

Then we proceed to go … 2-for-3 with Best Bets yet again. (Is this what it’s like to manifest your dreams? Are we doing it right?)

Let’s go 3-for-3 on Thursday! We can see 3-for-3 on the horizon. 3-for-3 is all we need. C’mon 3-for-3 on Thursday! 

Okay, we probably aren’t doing it right. Doesn’t mean 3-for-3 won’t happen!

With that, let’s manifest our three Best Bets for Thursday.

Best Bets Track Record

Wednesday: 2-1
Year-To-Date: 61-53-1

Bostonian vs. The Book: 15-19-1
BetPrep Prop of the Day: 17-20
NBA Props: 21-8
NHL Props: 6-6
MLB Props: 1-0
MLB Sides: 1-0

NBA First Quarter Spread: Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors

Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Image Credit: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The bet: Nuggets -0.5 first quarter (vs. Golden State)
The odds: -115
Where to bet: BetMGM
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book podcast

Matt Perrault of The Bostonian Vs. The Book Podcast picked a Bas Bet winner Wednesday, as the Nets dominated the Celtics in the first quarter of Game 2 (before going on to lose the game outright).

Perrault is going back to the proverbial well with another first-quarter play Thursday, this time siding with the Denver Nuggets -0.5 in the first quarter of Game 3 against the Warriors.

“Denver won [the first quarter] by a point in both games of this series,” Perrault said. “I like [we will see another] a fast start for the Nuggets [in Game 3].”

Dave Sharapan, co-host of the podcast, endorsed his partner’s recommendation, pointing to one noteworthy trend: The losing team from the previous game has won the first quarter in seven of eight playoff games so far. Translation: Teams play more urgent basketball (at least for the first 12 minutes) when coming off a playoff loss.

Think that trend holds up in Game 3 of Golden State-Denver? You can find the Nuggets -0.5 in the first quarter at -115 juice at BetMGM.

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NBA Prop: G Patrick Beverley (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 28, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 127-122.
Image Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images

The bet: Over 4.5 rebounds (vs. Memphis)
The odds: -115
Where to bet: DraftKings Sportsbook
From: Matt LaMarca via NBA Props Thursday

Beverley has been a huge part of the Timberwolves’ rotation all season, and that’s not going to change in the postseason. He’s coming off just under 30 minutes in Game 2, despite the fact the Timberwolves lost by nearly 30 points. With a more competitive contest expected in Game 3 of this series against Memphis, Beverley could easily crack the 30-minute plateau so long as he stays out of foul trouble.

Should he get that much court time, Beverley is a great bet to pull down at least five boards Thursday night. After all, he’s averaged 5.9 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. And while he was limited to just two boards in his last outing, he had at least six in his prior two games. This is a prime buy-low spot.

NBA Prop: PG Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during Game One of the Western Conference First Round against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on April 16, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Image Credit: Justin Ford/Getty Images

The bet: Under 6.5 rebounds (at Minnesota)
The odds: -140
Where to bet: DraftKings Sportsbook
From: BetPrep Prop of the Day via BetPrep.com

The six-day BetPrep Prop of the Day winning streak has been snapped, as Kyrie Irving failed to go Over 5.5 assists against the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

It’s time to build another streak! In an effort to make that happen, BetPrep crew is looking at Ja Morant Under 6.5 rebounds in Game 3 at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jena Garcia checks in with the rationale for this Best Bet:

@betprops

Prop of the Day with @vidavivadiva presented by Fliff! NBA TONIGHT! 💰💰 #ad Check out the Fliff app by signing up at GetFliff.com!#sports #trending #props #propbetting #money #sportsbetting #sports #fyp #trends #sportstalk #sportsbooks #dailypicks #betting #trending

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DraftKings Sportsbook has Morant Under 6.5 rebounds at -140 odds.