Our free NBA picks are out for Wednesday, May 4th, 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!
Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat – 7.30pm ET
It’s Game 2 in the Conference Semifinal series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. In the first game, it was the Heat that proved too good for the 76ers, winning 106-92. Now the 76ers will be looking to steal a game on the road before returning to Philadelphia for Game 3.
Jeffery Thomas
Game 1 went pretty much as expected with Joel Embiid missing for the Philadelphia 76ers, as they fell 92-106 to go into a 0-1 hole in the series. A lot of people were expecting James Harden to tap back into his Houston days of dominating but he continued to be a shell of himself, only scoring 16 points and committing 5 turnovers. What really cost the Sixers was their poor shooting from deep, shooting just 17.6% (6 for 34) from 3-point range. The loss of Embiid was also felt on defense, as Miami’s All-Star big man Bam Adebayo went for 24 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
It was a clinical performance for the Eastern Conference’s top seed and Game 2 will give them an opportunity to take full control of the series. There is no way I can back this 76ers team without their best player and especially with his replacement being washed up DeAndre Jordan. Jordan had a -22 +/- in Game 1 in just 17 minutes and I’m sure he will see reduced minutes but that doesn’t make things any better as they’ll have to turn to 3rd string big man Paul Reed. Adebayo will have yet another monster performance and with the depth of shooters all around this Miami lineup, they are as dangerous as they come. No Kyle Lowry again will be no problem as they take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -8.5 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
Game 1 of this Eastern Conference second round series ended up going how many people expected it would go, as Philadelphia managed to keep it close, but in the end Miami turned things on in the second half to pull away late for the easy win. The problem for Philly right now is the fact that they will still be without Joel Embiid who is trying to recover from a concussion and orbital fracture suffered in the last game of their first round series. They do still have James Harden, but he’s shown the tendency to struggle in big moments in the postseason, and seeing as he’s not the same Harden that we saw in his prime, I don’t think he’s going to have the ability to carry the team almost single-handedly.
For Miami, expect much of the same from what we saw in the first game. Even without Kyle Lowry in the lineup, they still have one of the strongest cores in the league, with Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro leading the way. They may not get great games from all of them, but as long as they get decent performances, with the depth and balance they have from their bench, I think the easy pick here is to take the Heat once again at home. This game ends up being a little closer, but I still have Miami getting the win at home down in South Beach.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -8.5 (-110)
Tony Battalio
The Philadelphia 76ers had a rough time in Game 1 of this second round series. They ended up losing by double digits and it showed just how much they miss having Joel Embiid in the lineup. They will be looking to bounce back in this second game against the Miami Heat. The problem with James Harden has seemingly continued as he still fails to show up in big games for his teams. Philadelphia did great at getting to the free throw line in their first round series against Toronto and they will have to get back to that in this one.
The Miami Heat continued to roll to open up the second round. They got a huge win even without Kyle Lowry. They will be without Lowry again in this one but if they repeat their performance from the first game they will likely be fine once again. The Heat were the best team in the Eastern Conference this season and right now I’d say them and the Milwaukee Bucks are at the top at the moment. As for the result of this one, I am taking the Miami Heat to go up 2-0.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat (-420)
Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns – 10pm ET
The final game tonight in the NBA will see Game 2 of the series between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks went down in the first game, 114-121, and will be looking to bounce back before the series heads to Dallas for Game 3 and 4. While the Suns will be looking to get a healthy 2-0 series lead before hitting the road.
Jeffery Thomas
The best player on the floor in Game 1 was Luka Doncic who dropped 45 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. In the end though it wasn’t enough, as the Phoenix Suns defeated Dallas 121-114 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The Mavericks never held a lead at any point and trailed by as many as 21 as Doncic scored more combined points than the rest of the Mavs starters (38). Jalen Brunson averaged over 27 points a game in the first round series against Utah but shot only 6-for-16 in Game 1 for 13 points. Meanwhile, Phoenix had six guys score in double figures led by DeAndre Ayton (25) and Devin Booker (23).
If the Suns can limit Luka’s scoring and keep the supporting cast down, Game 2 will be theirs and they will have accomplished step 1 in the series, which is protecting home court. It’s hard to see the Mavericks doing much in this spot on the road in Game 2. There were times in Game 1 where they looked like they didn’t belong on the same court as the Suns and I don’t see another huge comeback from them in this one when they fall behind. Give me the Suns to take a 2-0 lead on the road to Dallas for Game 3.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns (-250)
Noah Dunlap
The Dallas Mavericks dropped Game 1 of this series, despite a huge night from Luka Doncic, who dropped 45 points, to go along 12 boards and 8 assists. The reason for the loss largely ended up being due to the fact that arguably the best player from their first round series, Jalen Brunson, couldn’t get anything going in this one, as he only scored 13 points. Facing the best team in basketball all year long, and the team that’s arguably been the most balanced as well, the Mavs are in a situation that they have to have more than Luka step up if they plan on getting the win in this one, and I’m just not sure they have the pieces that can step up in this position.
For Phoenix, look towards Chris Paul and Devin Booker to lead the way, as they’ve done all season. However, more than those two guys, I think arguably the most important player in this series ends up being DeAndre Ayton. Dallas doesn’t have a guy in the paint that should be able to match up with Ayton, and assuming he has a good game, along with what CP3 and Book are going to give them, the safe play here is to assume Phoenix gets another win at home. This one ends up being closer than Game 1, but the Suns pull out the win to take a big lead in this second round series.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns -6 (-110)
Tony Battalio
The Dallas Mavericks are coming into this one looking to bounce back after their Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Dallas will have to play a lot better than they did in Game 1 if they want to remain competitive in this series. They will need Luka Doncic to keep putting up some great performances throughout the next three games at least if they want to extend the series beyond four games as well. As good as Luka is, I still think he is missing his sidekick that could turn this Mavericks team into a serious yearly championship contender.
The Phoenix Suns were the best team in the National Basketball Association throughout the 2021-22 regular season. They were pushed to the limit in their first round series with the New Orleans Pelicans, as it went six games before the Suns could finish it off. Their keys to victory throughout this entire postseason will be keeping Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton healthy. As for the result of the second game of this series, I’m going with the Phoenix Suns to get the win.
Tony’s NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns (-250)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
