NBA Parlay & SGP Picks: Odds and Predictions for 5-9-2024 Playoff Games

By tonight's end, we may have four second-round series at 2-0 apiece. Entertainment could still come; three of those ahead in their series would now need to go on the road for two games. Or perhaps the Dallas Mavericks will find some edge tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But more likely, these conference semifinals will continue unimpeded toward quick series. In that case, combining some bets throughout the night to make a parlay can make things more interesting. Just remember, uncorrelated events should be parlayed with prudence; a modest wager can still yield a healthy reward.

Before the Games begin on Thursday, May 9, let’s find some NBA picks.

NBA playoffs parlay picks May 9

• Celtics 1H -8.5, Gafford Over 7.5 rebounds, Giddey Under 8.5 points (+583 at DraftKings)
  

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Best NBA parlay picks for Thursday

NBA parlay pick

Celtics 1H -8.5

Daniel Gafford Over 7.5 rebounds

Josh Giddey Over 8.5 points

+583 at DraftKings

The Cleveland Cavaliers are better than the Miami Heat, but they are still nowhere near on par with the Boston Celtics. It's possible, maybe even likely, that nobody in the Eastern Conference is.

The New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves have gotten plenty of hype this postseason, but that is because they are so wildly exceeding expectations. Boston is not getting that same notice, despite its utter dominance, because this was expected. Not to mention, the Celtics’ one postseason loss created narratives that have not been completely forgotten.

But Miami had to shoot 53.5% from deep that night — compared to 43.8% from inside the arc — to pull off that upset. It always should have been disregarded.

Aside from that night, Boston has led by double digits at all five halftimes, with an average lead of 17.6 points, and led by 10 at the break in Game 1 against Cleveland.

With Cavs star Donovan Mitchell hampered by injury yet directing a one-man offense, it is safe to expect another early blowout from the Celtics.

The other two thoughts in this parlay are entirely minutes-based. Whereas Daniel Gafford could not get much playing time in the first round, he should be a mainstay for the Dallas Mavericks against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers were simply a bad matchup for Gafford. Furthermore, Gafford should receive some of Maxi Kleber’s 22.2 minutes per game from the first five games of that first round, now that he's shelved by injury.

Gafford played 17.4 minutes in the first five games of that series, and his stats plummeted. He then played 27 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 1 against Oklahoma City, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Thunder lack physical players on the inside. Chet Holmgren simply has not built that muscle yet at this point in his career. Gafford can exploit that. Even if Oklahoma City does a better job keeping an eye on him for lobs, Gafford will still crash the glass with aplomb.

On the flip side, Josh Giddey should not play much this series, if not the rest of the postseason. Everyone knows he is the weakest offensive threat of the Thunder’s starters and is thus frequently disregarded by opposing defenses. Dallas did such in Game 1, at which point Giddey went to the bench in favor of third-year guard Aaron Wiggins and rookie Cason Wallace.

Both played more than he did, nearly 23 minutes apiece compared to Giddey’s 17. And both hit multiple 3-pointers, combining to go 5 of 8, while Giddey went 0 of 2.

Giddey’s minutes should fall further. It was a Pelicans’ failing that he played 26.5 minutes per game last round. He may not average 16.5 by the time this series with the Mavs is finished.

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Today's NBA same-game parlay picks

Our betting experts have searched through today's NBA odds to find your best SGP bets for both Games on Tuesday's playoff slate:

Cavaliers vs Celtics same-game parlay (SGP)

Derrick White Under 17.5 Points

Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 3-Pointers

Boston Celtics moneyline

+250 at bet365

White won’t get a pass from the Cavs' defense, and player projections strongly support a tipping point with his scoring prop reaching new heights.

Tatum hasn’t shot the ball well in the past three games, but he’s just too good to stay cold. He’s still chucking it from long range, and many models call for three makes from deep tonight.

Boston has done well against the monstrous postseason spreads, but we’ll tack on the moneyline to our SGP and enjoy the “early payout” option from bet365, which hits if the Celtics get up by 20 points at any time.

Read Jason Logan's full Cavaliers vs Celtics predictions.

Mavericks vs Thunder same-game parlay (SGP)

Daniel Gafford Over 7.5 rebounds

Daniel Gafford Over 10.5 points

Josh Giddey Under 8.5 points

+525 at DraftKings

Even if Doncic returns to the form we all love to watch, he will move the ball. That is part of what makes him such a delight. Doncic found Gafford twice in Game 1 for a total of five points, part of what spurred the fifth-year center to 16 points on just 12 shots.

The flipside of that coin is what Gafford went through last series, when he couldn’t match up with the opponent and thus lost playing time. That is Josh Giddey’s plight now. Giddey logged only 17 minutes in Game 1, a pair of better-shooting reserves each playing 23 minutes instead.

Giddey will see less and less playing time moving forward this postseason, as opposing defenses don't mind ignoring him.

Read Douglas Farmer's full Mavericks vs. Thunder predictions. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Today’s NBA games

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