How should you bet the second round of the NBA playoffs? ESPN NBA betting experts Tyler Fulghum, Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Jim McCormick and Steve Alexander offer the bets they like most for each series.
Odds are updated as of publication. For latest odds go to ESPN BET Series over 5.5 games (+170): This might be a bit optimistic for Cleveland's odds in this series, but the premise is driven by the absence of Kristaps Porzingis in the context of the Cavaliers' uniquely large and defensively-deft frontcourt.
If the Cavaliers can win the possession battle via the offensive glass, it could help offset the clear offensive gap between these clubs.
The odds on this bet are better than betting the Cavaliers +2.5 games (+160), which reads essentially like the same outcome here (at least six games) just with better returns. — McCormick Cavaliers +2.5 games (+160): The Celtics were the dominant team in the NBA during the regular season, but there matchups with the Cavaliers were all competitive, single-digit affairs.