NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Jordan Clarkson, Warriors-Nuggets and OG Anunoby on Monday)

How about that weekend of playoff basketball?

We had upsets, down to the wire games and the young guns (Jordan Poole, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey) making a name for themselves in the postseason. 

This is what it’s all about. 

Since the play-in started, I’ve been sharing my best bet for every game this postseason, and we’re 10-4 through the conclusion of every Game 1. 

Today, I’m back with my best bet for the three games between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. 

Let’s get into the picks!

All odds via WynnBET:

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 195-174-5 (+4.6384 units)

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

NBA Best Bets Today

• OG Anunoby OVER 16.5 Points (-130)
• Golden State Warriors -7 vs. Denver Nuggets (-110)
• Jordan Clarkson OVER 11.5 Points (-125)

OG Anunoby OVER 16.5 Points (-130)

OG Anunoby dropped 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting in Game 1 of this series, and he’s going to need to be even better in Game 2 if the Raptors have any chance at hanging around.

Toronto is going to be without Scottie Barnes, and Gary Trent Jr. is still doubtful. That leaves the Raptors with very little wing scoring depth. 

This season, Anunoby averaged 17.1 points per game, and he took 14.5 shots per game. I see this number rising with Trent Jr. and Barnes sidelined, so I will lay the -130 juice for him to get to 17 points tonight. 

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors: Warriors -7 (-110)

The Warriors dominated Game 1, and that came with Steph Curry off the bench. 

Jordan Poole is here, scoring 30 points in Game 1, and the Warriors’ new death lineup of Curry, Poole, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins is extremely scary. 

The Nuggets didn’t get nearly enough out of Aaron Gordon in Game 1. Golden State’s offense is just too much for this Nuggets team, which needs Nikola Jokic to go nuclear to win. Denver was minus-19 with Jokic on the floor in Game 1, so if it can’t win those minutes, this is going to be a quick exit for the Nuggets. 

I’ll lay the points with the Warriors at home once again, as we know they are one of the best home teams in the NBA (24-16-2 against the spread). 

Jordan Clarkson OVER 11.5 Points (-125)

I’m buying low on Jordan Clarkson for the Utah Jazz, as he took just seven shots but scored nine points in 19:36 of gametime in Game 1. 

Clarkson averaged 27.1 minutes per game this season, and he took an average of 14.1 shots per game. So, Game 1 we saw Clarkson at half of his volume and still get close to this number? 

Yes, Quin Snyder may be shortening his rotation and Clarkson’s minutes a bit in the playoffs, but the Jazz struggled mightily offensively in Game 1. I wouldn’t be surprised if going more to Clarkson’s microwave scoring is an adjustment in Game 2. 

Prior to the playoffs, Clarkson had scored 12 or more points in 11 of his last 14 games. I’ll buy low on this number being at 11.5 for a player who averaged 16.0 points per game in the regular season.

How should you navigate the NBA playoffs and futures market? The BetSided has you covered in the NBA edition of "Fraud or Future!"