💰🏀NBA Playoffs 2nd Round Picks + MLB Today - Monday 5/5

Matchup Breakdown:
The Boston Celtics, the defending NBA champions, begin their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks. Boston swept the Knicks 4-0 during the regular season, with Jayson Tatum averaging 33.5 points per game in those matchups. The Celtics are at full strength, with Jrue Holiday returning from a hamstring injury and Jaylen Brown progressing from a right knee issue.

The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, who averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists in the first round, aim to challenge Boston finally. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson will be crucial in countering Boston's frontcourt. New York's defense will need to adapt to Boston's versatile offense, particularly their pick-and-roll schemes involving Tatum.

The Knicks will need more than just Brunson to compete with the Celtics in this one.

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Matchup Breakdown:
The Oklahoma City Thunder, after a dominant 68-win regular season and a first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder are led by SGA, who averaged 32.7 points per game this season. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren provide additional scoring and defensive presence.

The Nuggets, coming off a seven-game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers, rely on Jokić, who averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists this season. Jamal Murray's performance will be critical against Oklahoma City's strong perimeter defense, featuring Lu Dort and Alex Caruso. Denver's bench depth will also be tested against the Thunder's youthful rotation.

It’ll be interesting to see if Denver has what it takes to even grab a game off OKC. Denver was impressive against the Clippers, but it’ll take some legendary Jamal Murray performances to compete in this series. I’m staying away from the spread in this one — just thinking out loud here: The Grizzlies had the same spread game 1 vs. Thunder and the Nuggets are way better than the Grizzlies so idk if this is a trap or what, but I’m not going to be caught in it.

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