Two Game 2s. Two heavy favorites looking to bounce back. Two road teams trying to prove Game 1 wasn’t a fluke.
The night tips off with the Knicks at Celtics (7:00 p.m. ET, Boston -10.5), where the defending champs aim to recover from a historic collapse that saw them blow a 20-point lead and miss an NBA-record 45 threes.The Knicks, now up 1-0, are playing with house money and a whole lot of belief.
Then it’s Nuggets at Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET, OKC -10.5), where Denver stole Game 1 on the road thanks to Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beating three.The Thunder, still the title favorites, will try to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole at home.
Two teams need a response. Two underdogs want to keep the chaos rolling. Let’s bet. Here are our best bets from our NBA betting podcast BUCKETS from Brandon Anderson, Bryan Fonseca, Michael Fiddle, and Joe Dellera.
🧠 Brandon Anderson
Celtics -10 vs Knicks (Game 2)
“They screw around, they give a game away, they show up focused and take care of business the next game.”
• Brandon cited two powerful playoff trends:
– Teams at home after losing Game 1 by 3+ points are 17-5 ATS (78%) in Game 2.
– Celtics are 15-3 ATS (83%) in the playoffs when favored after losing as a favorite since 2020.
• “I don’t play a lot of -10s, that’s why I’m willing to play that number — because of those two trends.”
Jason Tatum Over 15.5 Rebounds + Assists (-105)
“Tatum had 16 rebounds and 6 assists… he had 17 potential rebounds and 17 potential assists.”
• 94% rebounding conversion rate vs Knicks’ wings (Bridges/OG had just 4 of 31 rebound chances).
• “He went over this number on rebounds alone last game.”
• Brandon also re-bet Tatum to lead the series in assists at +160.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 12.5 Rebounds + Assists (+106)
“He had 10 rebounds and 8 assists on 21 potential assists. He should’ve had a triple-double.”
• Shai’s playoff rebounding has historically ticked up: “Eight or more boards in half his playoff games.”
• “J-Dub only had eight potentials — this might be a Shai assist series.”
SGA Double Double (+325)
“We know the points are there — we’ve got two shots: rebounds and assists. He just did it last game.”
• High assist volume (21 potentials) and 10 boards gives multiple outs for this line.
SGA to Lead Series in Assists (6-1)
“Jokic only had six assists in Game 1… 12 potential assists. Shai had 21.”
• “He was nine higher on potentials than Jokic — this might be a thing.”
SGA Triple Double (28-1)
“33-10-8 in Game 1 and he should’ve had 10 or 11 assists. I’m betting that.”
Jayson Tatum to Lead Round 2 in Made Threes (+850)
“Available at Bet365 and DraftKings. Joe, Jim, and I all logged it right before this.”
• Noted volume and scoring roles for Tatum make him a strong candidate if series length cooperates.
Jokic to Lead Round 2 in Rebounds (-150)
“22 boards on 31 rebound chances in Game 1. Next closest guy was 10 chances behind.”
• “If this goes 6 or 7 games, he runs away with it — it’s a volume play.”
Tommy John “Ballsy Parlay” – Tatum + SGA Both Triple Doubles (318-1)
“Tenth of a unit play. It’s in play for both guys — we might be watching this all series.”
📣 Bryan Fonseca
Celtics First Half -5.5 vs Knicks (Game 2)
“I think they’ll come out the gate like ‘this shit is over’ and build a big lead in the first half.”
• Bryan prefers bounce-back teams in first halves, noting it's where they “address it right away.”
• “If they have their fuck-around quarter, I’d think it’s third or fourth.”
Parlay: Derek White 4+ Threes + Jayson Tatum 4+ Threes (+294)
“Derek White has hit four or more in five straight vs the Knicks. Tatum’s done it in four of five.”
• 🔥 High volume + matchup logic — Knicks give up spot-up looks.
• “This is more about shot diet and how they defend — both guys get clean looks repeatedly.”
Possible Lean: Celtics 1H + Thunder 1H Parlay
“That’s something I’m considering for this game.”
• Bryan’s not fully in but likes the logic of both bounce-back teams starting hot.
🧠 Joe Dellera
Jason Tatum Over 42.5 PRA
“He took 15 threes… he’s always going to have the green light.”
• Joe notes Tatum still hit 45 PRA in Game 1 despite poor shooting and low assist conversions.
• 📈 “He’s hit this in four straight playoff games, and in five straight against the Knicks.”
• Missed assists were a factor: “He had 11 potentials and only 6 converted.”Mitchell Robinson Over 3.5 Free Throws Attempted(Sprinkle)
“I’m going to sprinkle a little bit of Mitchell Robinson over three and a half free throws attempted.”
• Based on his expected physical role inside and likelihood of offensive rebounds and putback attempts.💥 Michael Fiddle
Cavaliers -1 vs Pacers (Game 3)
“You should take Cavaliers now… and be able to come back on the other side if you want to.”
• Fiddle’s line logic: Game 1 was Cavs -5.5, Game 3 opens Cavs +1 — a 6.5-point market swing.
• 🔄 “If Garland, Mobley, or Hunter return, this number closes closer to Cavs -3.”
• He called it a “plus-EV early grab” and suggested it was strong enough to parlay.Celtics-Knicks Under 211 (Full Game Total)
“213 was the total in Game 1 after OT… and that was playing 53 minutes.”
• Fiddle points to slow offensive tempo, matchup hunting, and shot clock drain as key under signals.
• ⏱️ “By the time they’re getting their first look off, there’s eight seconds left on the shot clock.”Thunder -ATS vs Nuggets (Game 2)
“I think OKC destroys Denver — ATS, any number.”
• 💪 He expects a bounce-back angle at home: OKC closed a small favorite in Game 1 and lost.
• Reflects Fiddle’s macro view on zig-zag playoff pricing and teams rebounding after home losses.
