NBA Playoffs Round 1 betting tips & odds – Thursday, April 21

The NBA Playoffs are off to a flying start and the nightly entertainment has basketball fans buzzing. While some of the series look to be pretty much over and settled, there are still a number of live matchups. This Thursday (AEST), viewers will be treated to perhaps the most evenly matched series of the lot, between the Celtics and Nets. There will also be two other games, but the Celts and Nets game will be the highlight of the night. Without further ado, here are the best picks from Thursday’s slate.

Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics

Game one of this series was an instant classic. The Celtics won on a buzzer beater and were able to withstand a vintage Kyrie Irving performance. It was a crazy, emotional win for the Celtics, and for that reason, the Nets will have an advantage in this game. Not only will they be motivated by dropping the first game, they will also be pissed with how it ended. NBA series as tight as these must be looked at as a whole, not with a new, clean slate every game. The Nets will have the pressure to win, and that will help them.

This series looks destined to go seven games. It’s going to be a back-and-forth matchup between two great teams. Yes, the Celtics have better depth, but they cannot match the high-end talent Brooklyn possesses. Kevin Durant will win a game by himself at some point and Kyrie can do the same. Coming off a heartbreaking loss, the Nets will be angry. For this matchup, take the angry team to win in what should be a very tight game.

Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors

The Sixers have been dominant in this series so far and it is shaping up for a Philly sweep. Of course, Toronto has the talent to steal a game or two, but the way the series is unfolding, Philadelphia shouldn’t struggle too much. Toronto will have home court advantage and that is why the line is so small, but the online bookmakers appear to be overrating that advantage. The Sixers have won the first two games of the series by a comfortable margin and should be able to continue their domination in this matchup.

Scottie Barnes, the star Toronto rookie, has already been ruled out for this game, and that is a big loss. The Raptors will have a tough time replacing a guy who averages 35 minutes per game for them. If Philly wins this game, the series is all but over. Sure, Toronto will be more motivated to win, but this series is not the same as the Celtics and Nets. The 76ers are simply a better team and should win this game the same way they won the previous two. Back Philly to cover the spread and take a commanding lead against a struggling Toronto squad.