Our free NBA picks are out for Friday, May 6th, 2022! Make sure you check our expert NBA picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free NBA picks for the two Conference Semifinal games on today’s schedule!
Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers – 7pm ET
It’s Game 3 of the series between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, and the first game played in Philadelphia. The home court advantage couldn’t have come soon enough for the 76ers who are currently 0-2 down in the series. The Heat won the first game 106-92 and backed up to win the second game 119-103.
Jeffery Thomas
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming home in an 0-2 hole and have very little hope of turning this series around. That mainly is due to the fact that Joel Embiid will remain out with his injuries and that void he’s left in the lineup can’t be replaced by anyone on this roster. One thing that could turn around back at home for the Sixers and give them a better chance is their three-point shooting which was dismal on the road.
Through the first two games, Philly shot just 21% from three (14 of 64) so maybe a return back to their home arena where they are more comfortable shooting can turn that around. However, I just don’t think they stand much of a chance without Embiid, so keep an eye out on his availability but if he remains out, take the Heat to dominate again as they won Games 1 and 2 by an average of 15 points.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -3 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
This series is just about wrapped up. The Miami Heat did what they were supposed to in the first two games at home, as they won with ease in both, and now they travel north to Philadelphia for the next two. The key so far to this series has been the fact that Philly has been without Joel Embiid due to a concussion and orbital fracture, and that won’t change in Game 3, as he’s already been ruled out for this one as well. With Embiid out, they’re in a situation where they have to have James Harden step up, and currently he’s been incapable of doing that, as he looks nothing like the James Harden that we’re used to seeing. If Tyrese Maxey were to step up and have a monster game, and Harden plays well, the Sixers have a shot here with it being at home, but based on what we’ve seen so far in this series, I’m just not optimistic.
For Miami, I’m not sure that there’s too much of a need for them to change anything up. They’ve absolutely rolled in this series so far, and without anything changing roster-wise for this one, assuming Tyler Herro is able to go, I don’t think they change much. Jimmy Butler has been great in the two games so far, Bam Adebayo has done his job in the paint as he’s not having to deal with Embiid, and Herro has played well coming off the bench. I expect a lot of the same in this one, as Philly, even at home, simply doesn’t have enough to compete with the balance and depth of this Heat squad, without Embiid being able to play. It may be a little closer than the first two games, but Miami still wins without too many issues.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -3 (-110)
Tony Battalio
The Miami Heat are ahead 2-0 in this series as they are rolling through the playoffs right now. They are taking full advantage of a Philadelphia 76ers team that is without Joel Embiid. If they win this one in Game 3, there is a very real chance that they will get a 4-0 sweep of the 76ers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami is the clear favorite in my opinion in the Eastern Conference right now.
The Philadelphia 76ers are struggling badly right now, as they find themselves down 0-2 heading back home. As long as they are without Joel Embiid they don’t have much of a chance in my opinion. I don’t look for it to go much better in this one for them at home. I think the Miami Heat will have no problem taking a 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat (-148)
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks – 9.30pm ET
The Phoenix Suns are on a roll at the moment, they come into this clash with the Dallas Mavericks with a 2-0 record in the series. The Suns won the first game 121-114 and the second game 129-109. The Mavericks will be hoping to use their home court to their advantage to not go 0-3 down in the series.
Jeffery Thomas
The Phoenix Suns took care of business at home, winning both Games 1 and 2, and now will make the trip to Dallas with hopes of really putting a stranglehold on the series. If Dallas has any chance of coming back in this series, they will need to put up a defensive effort that the Suns have not seen yet, as they’ve shot at least 50 percent from the field in every playoff game so far. That includes 64% in the 129-109 win in Game 2, where they also shot 13-for-25 from three point range.
Luka Doncic continues to score at a high clip (45 points and 35) but if he doesn’t get much help around him then it doesn’t matter. I have no hope for Dallas in this series, as the Suns are just too many levels better than them and Wednesday’s win was the 11th straight Phoenix has got over Dallas in their head to head matchups. Friday will be win number 12 in a row and number 3 in this series, as they take a commanding 3-0 lead and put the Mavericks’ backs all the way against the wall.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns +0.5 (-114)
Noah Dunlap
Much like the first game of the night, I think the series is in a similar spot, which is to say that it’s almost wrapped up already. The Dallas Mavericks just don’t have enough to get by Phoenix, seeing as right now Luka Doncic is virtually the only player on the roster deciding to try to make a difference. Jalen Brunson helped them get through Utah in the first round, but so far in this series he’s been virtually a no show, and nothing about this series is going to change unless he figures out how to get things going. You can basically guarantee that Luka is going to have another masterful performance, but he can’t do things himself, and right now that’s just what he’s being tasked with so far in this series. For Phoenix, I think the keys have to remain the same.
You have to assume that Devin Booker is going to play well and put up good offensive numbers, and I see no reason why DeAndre Ayton shouldn’t be able to virtually dominate the paint, as Dallas doesn’t really have a presence down low that should be able to compete with what Ayton brings to the table. The rest of it is simply Chris Paul doing what he does, which so far in this series, has been targeting Doncic and making Dallas pay on nearly every possession late, as Luka begins to get tired. It looks as if the Phoenix game plan to this point has been to let Luka tire himself out doing work on the offensive end early, and then by the second half, especially the fourth quarter, he’s tired enough that they directly target him on the defensive end and take advantage of the mismatch in a major way. That doesn’t change in this one, and with the Suns having one of the deepest benches in the league, as well, I think they continue to easily control this game, and series. Give me Phoenix on the road, with ease once again.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns (-112)
Tony Battalio
The Phoenix Suns are on the verge of taking a 3-0 lead in this second round series. They have completely dominated Games 1 and 2, and look well on their way to making another trip back to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season. Phoenix is looking like they have all season and that is dominating. They won Game 2 of the series by a score of 129-109. Devin Booker dropped 30 points in Game 2 and he will be looking to repeat that performance.
The Dallas Mavericks have their backs against the wall at the moment. They have looked terrible throughout the first two games of this series and now they will have to find a way to recover in Game 3. Luka Doncic is a great player but he is going to need some help if they want to get this Dallas Mavericks team over the top. As for the result of the third game of this series, I am taking the Phoenix Suns to get the win on the road in Dallas.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns (-112)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
