This is what we’ve been watching all season. On Tuesday, the NBA has two pivotal Game 5s lined up in the second round of a series tied 2-2 — and one that’s seen plenty of twists and turns already.
In Boston, the Celtics will look to bounce back from an epic overtime loss to the 76ers that leveled their series. Meanwhile, in Denver, the Nuggets are trying to make a comeback against the Suns after a pair of losses in Arizona.
During the NBA Playoffs, the athleteTheir writers will make their direct choices. You’ll find picks, coverage, and the latest odds here. Our in-depth coverage of the NBA is linked below to the picks. For live NBA odds from BetMGM, click here.
Here are the details.
No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 3 76ers
7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
What are the odds against the Celtics against the 76’s?
Series tied 2-2
String odds: Celtics -300, 76ers +240
The script of the game for every two victories of these two teams is certainly set. In Games 2 and 3, the Celtics established steady advantages early on and cruised to double-digit victory margins. In Games 1 and 4, the 76ers rode great performances by James Harden to amazing results.
On Sunday, Harden came to the rescue with the 76ers’ season by scoring 42 points and capping off one of the most entertaining games of this postseason with his second round winner.
James Harden is the winner of the game.
42 points in Game 4 Win.
The streak is 2-2.#PLAYYOFFMODE pic.twitter.com/FVG2pYJ9CC– The NBA May 7, 2023
The downside if you’re Philadelphia—or the good news if you’re in Boston—is that between Harden’s 45-point blast in Game 1 and 42-point blast in Game 4, he shot 5-for-28 over Games 2 and 3. (Can the 76ers Sneak Lil Baby In a TD Garden seat on the field?)
And for what it’s worth, the Celtics have gotten used to bouncing back over the last couple of seasons. They did not lose back-to-back games until the NBA Finals during their run in 2022, and they responded to each of their first three losses in this postseason with wins as well.
To do it again against a galvanized 76ers, they’ll need the full efforts of Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum, who traded control of the first and second half of Game 4, respectively, but each made huge mistakes late in the game. . After making five three-pointers in Game 3 and blocking Joel Embiid three separate times over the stretch in Game 4, Al Horford is an x-factor as well.
Boston is still favored by a large margin for Game 5 and the series. But, led by Embiid and Harden, those 76ers must feel confident that if they can keep the game close, they’ve outscored the Celtics in two of the four games.
Expert picks for the Celtics vs. the 76ers
No. 1 Nuggets vs. No. 4 Suns
10 p.m. ET on TNT
What are the odds of facing the Nuggets against the Suns?
Series tied 2-2
String odds: Nuggets -165 suns +140
Yes, Sunday was a major league classic. Hours after Harden’s heroics to level the series for the Celtics-76ers, Devin Booker (36 points, 12 assists, 14-for-18 on shooting) and the Suns narrowly outpace Nikola Jokic (53 points, 11 assists, 20-for-30 on shooting) ) and the Nuggets to make this conference semi-final a best-of-three proposition.
Needless to say, the script has flipped 180 degrees since returning to Phoenix. Without Chris Paul for the past two games, the Booker-Kevin Durant tandem has risen to another level of shot-making and two wins has turned the pressure around to the No. 1 seed overall.
The Suns’ momentum is so strong, in fact, that their energy is pouring into the front row of the stands, as new owner Matt Ichpeia executed what we can confidently call the first owner’s Flop in NBA history:
Great flop for Matt Ishpia to draw the foul pic.twitter.com/oFCMKSyfjF
– Kevin O’Connor (KevinOConnorNBA) May 8, 2023
(Sorry sidebar, but this is simply flawless form. Watch Ichpia stick his nose into battle, deftly thump his chest to call contact, hit the flail with Jokić’s armbar — and pop up to find an official instantly. He even kept both feet out of the no-note no-go zone.) .
But in all seriousness, Eshpia has publicly called out to the NBA no Jokić’s reaction suspension – any other outcome would be a real travesty. Booker, playing as arguably the best player left in the postseason, and Durant hitting the best home advantage this regular season to try to steal a game-changing 5 against Joki, Murray and company will be a truly impressive play.
Denver is favored in the game and series, but anything can happen when this kind of talent takes off.
Expert Picks for Nuggets vs. Suns
More NBA Playoffs
Sixers and Philadelphia ride the roller coaster of James Harden versus the Celtics
James Harden and Joel Embiid discovered it together when it mattered most to the 76ers
Hollinger: Game 4 belongs to Devin Booker, and so does this playoff
Will Nikola Jokic be suspended after his confrontation with Suns owner Matt Ishbala?
(Photo by Nikola Jokic: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)