NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker and James Harden on Tuesday)

What’s better than a pair of Game 5s with each series tied at two games apiece?

I guess a pair of Game 7s, but we aren’t quite there yet in the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns-Dallas Mavericks series. 

Tuesday night should bring two of the best matchups of the playoffs, and with Kyle Lowry out for Miami, there may be some value on some player props (hint, hint) in that game. 

Let’s get into my favorite NBA bets tonight after a 3-1 performance on Monday. 

All odds via WynnBET:

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 230-212-5 (+9.2754 units)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.

NBA Best Bets Today

• James Harden UNDER 36.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-125)
• Jimmy Butler OVER 38.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-110)
• Devin Booker OVER 27.5 Points (-105)

James Harden UNDER 36.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-125)

I know James Harden rode a monster fourth quarter to lead the Sixers to a win in Game 4, but do we really think he has back-to-back good games in him? 

Harden is averaging 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game in the playoffs, which would put him below this number in Game 5. 

The Heat will have Gabe Vincent back in the starting lineup (a better defender than the injured Lowry) and I think the Heat can throw a bunch of different looks at him tonight to make someone else beat them. 

I’m not going to overreact to one good Harden game, as he’s cleared this number just three times all postseason. 

Jimmy Butler OVER 38.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-110)

Where would the Heat be without Jimmy Butler?

Butler has been dominant in the playoffs, averaging 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game and a league-best 2.4 steals per game. 

With Lowry out, Butler is going to take more control of the playmaking duties for the Heat, and he’s cleared 38.5 points, rebounds and assists in five of his eight playoff games. Butler has also cleared it in three of four games in this series. 

Back Butler to keep the Heat afloat in Game 5. 

Devin Booker OVER 27.5 Points (-105)

Devin Booker had a dominant game despite the Suns’ loss in Game 4, scoring 35 points while shooting 10-for-22 from the field. 

Booker’s shot volume has been pretty consistent in this series (20, 19, 13, 22), and he’s cleared this prop twice in four games. 

As long as Book is the focus of the offense (he wasn’t as involved in Game 3), he’s shown he can take advantage of this Dallas defense, especially now that he found out how to score on Frank Ntilikina in Game 4. 

The Suns should run through Booker if they want to avoid falling behind 3-2 in the series.