The NBA Playoffs continue on Thursday night with a trio of exciting contests. Sportsbooks carry betting lines for each game, along with hundreds of props, giving bettors many options for building NBA Playoff parlays.
Let’s review our NBA Playoff picks and parlays for Thursday night’s action, starting with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
Futures: NBA Championship odds | Odds to win NBA Finals MVP
76ers vs. Nets Game 3 Betting Lines
Here are the odds for 76ers vs. Nets from several of the top sports betting apps in the country:
The Nets didn’t fall apart after trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving but remained surprisingly competitive for the rest of the regular season. That has not been the case in the postseason. Philadelphia dominated Game 1, 121-101, and cruised to an easy win in Game 2, 96-84.
While Brooklyn was more competitive in Game 2, they were never poised to take over the game. Yes, they took a five-point lead into the half, but then they were outscored 52-35 in the second half.
For the Nets to get back in this series, they’ll need to figure out how to jumpstart their offense while keeping the 76ers offense from taking over. Unless the 76ers rest people or half the roster comes down with the flu, it is hard to see the Nets posing much of a threat.
76ers vs. Nets Game 3 Pick
Brooklyn does not have the manpower to compete with Philadelphia. They may keep it close in the first half, but when the 76ers get serious in the second, they’ll run away with it.
Our Pick: 76ers -4.5
Kings vs. Warriors Game 3 Betting Lines
Here are the odds for Kings vs. Warriors from several of the top sports betting apps in the country:
Golden State has been on the struggle bus all season when on the road (11-30), and it showed in Games 1 and 2 against the Kings. Game 1 was competitive; the Warriors couldn’t close it out. But Game 2 was not nearly as close as the Kings rode a huge second quarter (41-29) to an eight-point win.
Going home, where they were 33-8 this season, could be what Golden State needs. But while the Warriors have dominated on their home court this season, they will not have the steady presence of Draymond Green in the lineup. The veteran forward has been suspended for stomping on Domantas Sabonis.
Sacramento has been a decent road team this season (25-16) and will not go down without a fight.
Kings vs. Warriors Game 3 Pick
The Warriors have been terrific at home this season, but is that a trend you want to trust in the postseason? Absolutely! Why? Because of the trend and because the defending champs will not go down without a fight. Look for the Golden State offense to explode, but since the Warriors don’t play defense, the Kings will put up some points, too.
Our Pick: Over 240 (-110); Golden State will win, but it is hard to say whether they’ll cover the spread.
For a more extensive analysis, read: Kings vs. Warriors
Suns vs. Clippers Game 3 Betting Lines
Here are the odds for Suns vs. Clippers from several of the top sports betting apps in the country:
Playing without one or more of its starting five is nothing new for the Clippers this season. So, when Paul George got ruled out for Game 1, there was no reason to panic. While the Suns were favored, the Clippers took home the win behind a monster night from Kawhi Leonard.
While Leonard had another solid night in Game 2, as did Russell Westbrook, the rest of the team combined for just 50 points. That was not enough when all five starters for the Suns scored in double digits, led by Devin Booker’s 38 and Kevin Durant’s 25.
The Clippers will likely get a boost with the series moving to Los Angeles. But will it be enough to overcome the Suns? Phoenix was not a great road team this year (17-24) and could be without Chris Paul tonight.
Paul injured his hand during Game 2; his x-ray after the game came back clean. He is not on the injury report (as of late Thursday morning).
Suns vs. Clippers Game 3 Pick
History favors the higher seeds in most playoff matchups, but for the No. 4-No. 5 series, neither has a distinct advantage. So, in theory, the games should be more competitive than the other first-round matchups. But even if Paul doesn’t play, the Suns have more talent than the Clippers.
Los Angeles relies on Kawhi Leonard, and after a couple of days off, he should be good to go. But to beat the Suns, he needs help. Russell Westbrook may give him a little, but he needs more. At the same time, Phoenix is not a good road team.
Our Pick: We like Phoenix to win this one but take the Over instead.
NBA Playoff Parlays: Thursday Night
Parlays are a lot of fun and a great way to boost your potential earnings, but they can also be a great way to drain your bankroll faster than you thought possible. For that reason, we suggest using caution when it comes to making NBA Playoff parlay picks.
Don’t get greedy and add a leg or two because the odds and your potential payout skyrocket. Stick with the legs you feel the most confident about. While it can be tempting to go with four or five-leg parlays, we suggest sticking to two or three most of the time.
This week, we are featuring odds from FanDuel, but you should always compare the odds at other top sports betting apps.
NBA Playoff Parlay No. 1
- 76ers -4.5 (-110)
- Kings-Warriors Over 240.5 (-110)
- Suns-Clippers Over 226 (-110)
- NBA Playoff Parlay Odds: +595
Since trading its stars away, Brooklyn has been better than expected, but the 76ers are by far the stronger team and should take this one with ease.
As for the Kings-Warriors, Golden State will probably pick up its offensive game at home, but they will still likely forget about defense (especially with Draymond Green out) — which means the Kings will put up some points. It’s hard to say with confidence who will win, but a lot of points will get scored in this game.
The Suns have a better roster and more talent on the team but have struggled on the road this season. But while the Clippers can count on Kawhi Leonard to show up, they can’t say that about anyone else. We like Phoenix to win but have more confidence in the total going over 226 points.
A $100 wager will result in a $695 payday, your stake plus $595 in winnings.
NBA Playoff Parlay No. 2
- Joel Embiid Over 11.5 rebounds (-102)
- Domantas Sabonis Under 13.5 rebounds (-120)
- Devin Booker Under 29.5 points (-120)
- NBA Playoff Parlay Odds: +565
Embiid averaged 10.2 RPG this season and only had five in Game 1, which makes 11.5 seem a little ambitious. But the NBA MVP candidate blew up in Game 2, pulling down 19 boards. We don’t think he’ll have another such night in Game 3, but we see him getting at least a dozen.
As for Sabonis, he did lead the league in RPG this season with 12.3 and had 16 in Game 1. But he went over 13.5 just twice in his last ten games. It is a number he can get, and the opportunity may be there in what should be a fast-paced game. But Over 13.5 feels too ambitious to us.
Coming off a 38-point game, it may seem slightly pessimistic to go with the Under for Devin Booker’s point total. But it is a total he’s gone over just twice in his last ten games. The Clippers have a better chance of taking him out of the game than Kevin Durant, so look for Booker’s assist total to go up tonight and his point total to go down.
A $100 wager will result in a $665 payday, your stake plus $565 in winnings.
NBA Playoff Parlay No. 3: Kings vs. Warriors SGP
- Klay Thompson 4+ assists (+165)
- Kevin Huerter Under 14.5 points (-112)
- Steph Curry Over 4.5 made threes (-132)
- NBA Playoff Same-Game Parlay Odds: +741
Expecting Klay Thompson to record at least four assists is ambitious. But we are talking about a guy that will do whatever it takes to win. In what should be a fast-paced game in front of a home crowd, the opportunity for 4+ will be there.
As for Huerter, he averaged over 15 during the regular season but has not been shooting well of late. While he did go 6-of-14 from the floor for 15 points in Game 2, he’s gone over 14.5 just once in his last seven games. If he gets off to another slow start, he’ll get subbed out for someone that can make shots.
When it comes to the playoffs, is there a more reliable shooter at home than Steph Curry? He hit 6-of-14 attempts in Game 1 and went 3-of-13 in Game 2. But in front of a home crowd and desperate for a win? It would be surprising to see him have a bad night.
A $100 wager will result in an $841 payday, your stake plus $741 in winnings.
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