Our free NBA picks are out for Saturday, May 7th, 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!
Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks – 3.30pm ET
It’s Game 3 of the series between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, and the series is all level up at 1-1. The Bucks got the win in Game 1 on the road, 101-89, and the Celtics managed to strike back instantly, taking Game 2, 109-86.
Jeffery Thomas
The Milwaukee Bucks were able to steal home court advantage from the Boston Celtics with their win in Game 1 and now with the series tied at 1-1, Boston has their eyes on stealing back a road win. If the Celtics are going to do that it will of course be on the backs of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who combined for 59 points in the 109-86 win in Game 2. The three ball was the game changer, as the Cs dropped in 20 shots from deep, which was a franchise playoff record. Now with Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart returning to the lineup for Game 3, Boston really likes their chances to grab their first lead in the series on Saturday.
The Game 1 loss looked really bad at the moment but I think it was exactly what Boston needed. They hadn’t faced any adversity in the playoffs yet and going into an immediate 0-1 hole to the defending champs put them in an immediate must-win situation in Game 2. They didn’t fold and instead responded with their best performance of the playoffs yet and now are back riding high on confidence and have stolen back the momentum in the series. Game 3 is a big swing game and I just think the better team will get this win and now shift all the pressure on Milwaukee for Game 4.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Boston Celtics (+110)
Noah Dunlap
Game 3 of this Eastern Conference second round series tips off our Saturday slate, and this is an extremely important game for both of these two teams. After dominating Game 1, in a game that they simply didn’t let Boston get anything going from inside the arc, Milwaukee struggled in Game 2, as they allowed the Celtics to control the tempo, and entire energy of the game, which tied the series at 1, with this Game 3 potentially being the turning point for both teams. With Khris Middleton still being out, and probably out for the entire series, this has become the Giannis show for the Bucks, and he’s going to need guys like Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen to step up and help, which he didn’t get much of in Game 2.
For Boston, the key is going to be able to continue to control the pace and dictate play. If they allow Milwaukee to get them back into a situation where they end up having to take threes, I think this is a loss. If they can keep the ball inside, and play more of a mid-range game, they have the opportunity to take care of business, as they showed more of in the second game. Jayson Tatum is going to have to continue to be the leader, with Jaylen Brown stepping up as well, if they want to be able to get this done. Despite being in Milwaukee, I do think Boston manages to get the win, though I think for the first time this series, we actually get a really close ballgame. Take the C’s on the road, though it comes extremely close.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Boston Celtics (+110)
Tony Battalio
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are tied at one game a piece after Boston’s Game 2 win over Milwaukee. Both of these teams have the potential to win the NBA Finals as long as they stay fully healthy and survive this series. Boston will be looking to take a 2-1 lead over the defending NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston is a young talented team with tons of potential. As long as Jayson Tatum remains healthy they can easily win this series.
The Milwaukee Bucks have looked great throughout the 2021-22 National Basketball Association season. They have looked decent throughout the playoffs and in my opinion are still the favorites in the Eastern Conference to make it back to the NBA Finals and defend their title. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the best player in the league throughout the course of the playoffs thus far. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Milwaukee Bucks to get the win.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Milwaukee Bucks (-130)
Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors – 8.30pm ET
The final game in the NBA for Saturday will see the third game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. Much like the other game that is on today, this series is all tied up at 1-1. The Warriors got the win in the first game, 117-116, and the Grizzlies got back on track in Game 2, winning 106-101.
Jeffery Thomas
Both the Warriors and Grizzlies will come into Game 3 missing key pieces in the backcourt. Dillon Brooks will be out for Memphis due to a one-game suspension for a foul he committed on Gary Payton Jr. that now has him injured and out for a few weeks. The result was positive otherwise for the Grizzlies at home in Game 2 though, as they bounced back from a close loss to win 106-101 and even the series up at 1. There is reason for optimism for Golden State coming off the loss however, as they only lost by 5 despite having their worst 3-point shooting performance in their franchise’s playoff history.
Ja Morant scored the final 15 points for the Grizzlies and willed them to victory, and after the final buzzer walked past Steph Curry yelling “we having some fun now”. Indeed we are Ja, indeed we are. I don’t think Memphis will have much fun on the road in this game though, as I’m expecting an explosive bounce back shooting performance from these Warriors. Curry and Klay Thomson combined to shoot 5-of-23 from deep in Game 2 and now back at home I think they’ll be much more comfortable. They’re also the team with the wealth of experience in these situations and won’t be panicked at all. The Warriors stole home advantage by winning Game 1 and will back it up by defending their turf in Game 3 on Saturday.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Golden State Warriors -7 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
This has been a tremendous series so far, and I think that continues in this one. We’ve seen physical play, massive dunks, ejections, suspensions, and middle fingers to the crowd, and it’s only been two games. Golden State managed to sneak away with a win in Game 1, despite Draymond Green getting ejected in the second quarter, as Ja Morant couldn’t get a tough layup at the buzzer to go down that would’ve won the game for Memphis. Then, despite Dillon Brooks being ejected three minutes into Game 2 for a hard foul on Gary Payton II, the Grizz managed to pull out a win in the second game at home, behind an absolutely masterful performance from Ja. Now with Brooks suspended for a game, and Payton out due to a fractured elbow, the series shifts to Golden State, where the Warriors will try to take advantage at home. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are going to end up being the key for this one, as their shooting has been off through the first two games, and if that doesn’t change, I think this is a series that starts leaning Memphis’ way.
On the other side, the Grizz have to find a way to rebound better. The Dubs are a lineup that is built small, and that’s something that Memphis is going to have to exploit to have a chance to win the series. The good news is that they finally get Steven Adams back for this one, as he’s missed their last three games with COVID. He’s going to be the biggest body on the floor, and is going to have to use that to his advantage here. The other problem they’ve had is the fact that Desmond Bane is dealing with a back issue that has limited him on both ends of the floor. With the three full days off, they have to hope that his back has gotten better, and with Payton, the only guy who could truly slow down Ja, out with the fractured elbow, I think Ja can have another big night. With Adams back, and Ja having the opportunity for another big night, I’m actually leaning towards taking the Grizz here, but just to be safe, take Memphis with the +7 on the spread, as even heading back to the Bay Area, I think we get another extremely tight game.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Memphis Grizzlies +7 (-110)
Tony Battalio
The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies are tied at one game a piece as Ja Morant and Stephen Curry are putting on a show. These teams will be fighting for an advantage going into Game 3 in Memphis which gives them an advantage in my opinion. Both of these teams have been great throughout the regular season and now they may just have an instant classic playoff series that will likely go seven games.
They both have a great shot at winning this game and taking the one game advantage heading into the next game as this series is quickly heating up. As long as Ja Morant and the Timberwolves core remains healthy and Steph Curry and the Warriors can remain healthy, then both these teams are very serious championship contenders. As for the result of Game 3, I am taking the Memphis Grizzlies to get the win.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Memphis Grizzlies (+240)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
