May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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NBA Best Bets Today | Top Picks & Predictions for 05/09/2025

The favorites are getting nipped in the bud left and right as the high-stakes playoffs continue to peak. So, which way will the betting trends swing in such a complex scenario? In this piece, you can access the predictions related to spreads and player props for the May 09, 2025, action.

NBA Best Bets Today – 05/09/2025

It is another spicy double-header day in the NBA! First, the Cleveland Cavaliers will visit the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It is the biggest match of their season as they are down 0-2 after Tyrese Haliburton’s step-back game-winner shattered their series-leveling chances. Can the Cavs fight it out, or will the Pacers reign supreme?

Then, the Denver Nuggets will host the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder dusted off the Thunder by 43 points in Game 2 after a close loss in Game 1. Can the Nuggets get an edge over the Thunder again?

Go through your NBA best picks for 05/09/2025 on BetMGM.

Best NBA Bets for 05/09/2025

Bet #1: Player Points: Donovan Mitchell O 29.5 points (-125 at BetMGM)

Mitchell had to carry the major offensive burdens in the first two games for the Cavs. In Game 1, he scored 33 points as his backcourt, Darius Garland, missed out due to an injury. In Game 2, he put up 48 points as the team’s major offensive option.

Evan Mobley was also out, alongside Garland. Even if these two return, there is no guarantee they will be in the finest shape. Thus, Mitchell may have to take 25+ shots again. Overall, I see him scoring 30+ again.

Bet #2: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets: Under 232.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

The first game between the two teams produced 240 points, the second a whopping 255. It has been the highest-scoring series thus far, and the bookmakers believe the bloated points tally will show in Game 2 as well.

I believe this game will be more defensively oriented than the last two games, and the score will likely fall below 230 here. It is a risky gambit but there has to be a game where both teams tighten the screws after making huge defensive adjustments.

Bet #3: Player Points: Russell Westbrook O 13.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

Westbrook has been a huge scoring factor off the bench for the Nuggets. He scored a team-high 19 in the last game, but somehow, the bookmakers are conservative with their estimates.

For instance, they have kept the projected Points O/U from the 11.5-13.5 range when he has averaged 16.7 PPG in 7 games, if we remove one game from the last series, as he picked up an early injury. Betting “Over” for points when it comes to Westbrook has been perhaps the safest bet among player props.

NBA Betting Trends to Know:

The Pacers have covered the spread in five of the seven games in the postseason.
Nikola Jokic has been “Under” when it comes to points category in six of the last nine games.
Jarrett Allen has hit over and under for both points and rebounds in half of the last six games.

Final Picks Recap

Points: Donovan Mitchell O 29.5 (-125)
Thunder vs Nuggets: Total U 232.5: (-110)
Russell Westbrook: Points O 13.5 (-115)

Betting Tips of the Day

Bookmakers are usually spot on about their projections. Some values can be here and there, but going against projections can often cost a lot. However, you have to take risks sometimes.

The home court advantage can be overestimated in many cases, and in such cases, look for patterns from the away team. Apart from that, the player props bets can have some obvious wagers as bookmakers tend to be a bit conservative in that regard towards the “over” mark.

Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!