LA led the Association in 3-point shooting this season, then couldn't buy one in Game 1. You'd think the Clippers might shoot a little better from long-range Tuesday night. Also, our guess is this series goes seven games, which leads us to believe LA will bounce back here. We don't always abide by the "zig-zag" theory of NBA playoff betting, but we're going that way in this spot. We'll give the points here and bet the Clippers for our free NBA playoff pick for Tuesday.  

New York swept the season series from Atlanta. The Knicks are also the best defensive team in the NBA and they own the better record against playoff qualifiers. Finally, we get the feeling the 15,000 fans at MSG tonight will sound like 30,000. We like the Knicks here for our free NBA pick for Sunday. 

Golden State's Steph Curry led the league in scoring this season, but Los Angeles led the league in defense. And in a match-up like this, we almost always bet on the defense. Plus, while the Warriors stole one game from the Lakers early this season, LA romped over Golden State in the other two meetings. We expect something similar here. So we like the Lakers here, minus the points.

The Heat really extended themselves Friday and still almost lost. They also benefited from a couple of calls late in the game. But things like that tend to balance out over the course of two or three games. Also, Miami's win Friday helps temper the line on this Game 6 by a bucket or so. We like Los Angeles minus the points for our free NBA pick for Sunday.

Adebayo's return is essential; he does things nobody else on his team can do. With three games decided by double-digits, this series is due for a game that goes right down to the final seconds. They might not win this one outright, but we like the Heat plus the points here

The Heat won Sunday without Adebayo and Dragic, but we can't help but believe that was a fluke. Miami probably won't shoot 51 percent from the floor again Tuesday, and Los Angeles probably won't commit 20 turnovers again. The Heat's victory Sunday served to temper the spread on this game, dimming it by a bucket. We like the Lakers, minus the points, for our free NBA pick on Game 4.

The Lakers are led by two great players in LeBron and the Brow, but we're a little dubious of their supporting cast. The Heat, meanwhile, are stirred by Jimmy Butler, and we prefer his supporting cast; five different Miami players have led them in scoring at least once in these playoffs. Plus, the Heat are 7-3, both SU and ATS as underdogs this postseason. We like Miami and the points for our free pick on Game 1.

Boston's been favored for every game in this series but lost three times outright. Also, the "zig-zag" theory is 3-1 ATS in this series. Miami had a lead Friday night but allowed Boston to roar back; that won't happen again. And our guess is the Heat will shoot at least a little better from 3-point range than they did in Game 5—we like Miami here, plus the points, for our free NBA pick for Sunday.

We're 2-2 ATS picking this series, taking Boston in Game 1, then Miami the last three games. The Celtics have been favored for all four games in this series, by two, three, 3.5, and 3.5 points, but the points haven't mattered once, with the Heat winning three games outright. Miami's got the best player in this series in Jimmy Butler, Adebayo's been great, and rookie Tyler Herro broke out with 37 points in Game 4. We're sticking with the Heat for our free NBA pick on this Game 5.

The Celtics shot 48 percent from floor Saturday; we're dubious as to whether they'll shoot that well again Wednesday. Same goes for the Heat; we expect them to shoot better than 39 percent. And we still believe Jimmy Butler is the best player in this series. We're not usually big believers in the “zig-zag” betting theory but this looks like a good spot for it. We'll take Miami and the points for our free NBA playoffs pick for Wednesday. 

Los Angeles has LeBron and the Brow, but Denver has Big Mo, coming off its rousing semifinals victory over the Clippers three days ago. And while the Lakers might own the edge in playoff experience, the Nuggets might be sharper, having played more recently. Also, these teams met four times during the regular season, playing three close games; LA's three wins came by nine points, by four in overtime, and by three. We expect another close one here. So we'll take Denver plus the points for our free NBA playoff pick for Friday.

We're 0-1 ATS picking this series, after backing Boston in Game 1. The Celtics had their chance, and out-played Miami for about three-quarters of that game, but couldn't put the Heat away. Miami is playing inspired ball right now, led by Butler, but he's also getting great help from his supporting cast. Meanwhile, the Celtics are still missing Hayward, and Kemba Walker is struggling, shooting 13/46 from the floor over his last three games. We'll change horses here and take the Heat for our free NBA playoff pick on Game 2.

We're 1-2 ATS picking this series, after taking the Rockets each of the first three games. Houston won Game 1 rather convincingly, but the Lakers have taken the next two games by outscoring the Rockets 57-37 in the fourth quarters. But we're not giving up on Houston yet. We liked the Rockets defensive effort in Game 1, and we don't expect LA to continue to shoot 55-57 percent from the floor like they've done the last two games. We're taking Houston and the points, again, for our free NBA pick on this Game 4.

These two teams played two close games already this season, and we won't be surprised when this one comes down to the last minute, too. Portland is favored by a touchdown and should win outright, but Memphis plays better defense and does a better job on the boards. We'll take the Grizz and the points for our free NBA pick for Saturday.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be shocked if the Pistons actually won this game. However, I am confident that the Pistons will see this affair as a prime chance to end Philly's reign of terror against them. Even if Detroit does not stage an upset, they will be competitive enough to come in under the lofty figure. Grab the points.

To some, it will genuinely be inexplicable how a playoff-bound team like Miami, who has also been a cash cow in this series as of late, is a small dog here against the lottery-bound Pelicans. However, to me, this line wreaks of a trap bet if one were to get behind the Heat. New Orleans has been a much more formidable squad ever since Zion Williamson made his debut for the ‘Cans and I trust his folklore will continue to grow with a win here against the Heat. I’ll lay the measly bucket with confidence here.

If I am frank, this line looked fishy from the first moment I saw it. After all, the Jazz has been dominant in this series as of late, and they have had little trouble covering against this squad laying bigger numbers. However, I suspect New York will be looking to expand on what it has recently and make some waves down the back-stretch despite being long removed from the playoff conversation. The Jazz has a match with Boston on Friday in what will be a high-profile bout in Beantown. I can't help but wonder if they will get tripped up looking past these pesky Knicks. Be that as it may, I’ll take the points.

All season long, the Thunder have been a bit of a revelation and an ATS darling. I can't help but think that the Thunder getting all these points on the road makes them look too easy here and perhaps could be a pure "trap bet." I wouldn't be surprised if the combination of Milwaukee's home-court advantage and OKC's fatigue results in Milwaukee clobbering Oklahoma City. I'll swallow the points.

Houston will go to work on the Grizzlies and take this team likely wire to gate. I expect the Rockets to continue their winning ways and do so emphatically, building an enormous lead and never looking back. I am not one for swallowing points like these regularly, but in this case, the juice is worth the squeeze.

I know that the Blazers will be without Dame, but this line here wreaks of trouble if one were to lay the points. In light of New Orleans pretty much dominating this series and being kind to takers as of late, the 'Cans are laying the same amount of points to Portland even without their best player? I am not biting. At the end of the day, New Orleans has had its woes on the road (12-15 SU in away games), and the Pelicans are known for their robust home court presence. Both of these narratives will be instrumental in the outcome. I’ll pass on the bucket and play Rip City outright on the Money Line.