2022 NBA playoffs -- Betting tips for Wednesday's first-round matchups

Jump ahead: Game of the night | Picks and props | Analytics edge

All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Rousing Rivalry: Can Kevin Durant surpass his point prop of 29.5 against a stingy Celtics defense? After all, he has topped this number just once in three meetings with Boston during the regular season. Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart could be a smart bet for two turnovers created after producing at least two stocks in four of five meetings with Brooklyn this season. The Celtics are 24-14 against the spread when playing a team with a winning record this season, including Sunday's thrilling last-second win. The Nets, meanwhile, are 14-6 ATS when seeking to avenge a loss to an opponent on the road.

Slick Nic: While Game 1 of the Nets-Celtics series was an instant classic with star players making play after play, Nic Claxton was also a solid contributor. Nothing he does is flashy, but on his 23rd birthday, he converted 6 of 8 shots and pulled down a team-best eight rebounds in 31 minutes. Claxton's minutes count is encouraging against a Celtics defense without Robert Williams III. Efficiency is something we can count on for Claxton as he has made 51 of 65 shots (78.5%) over the past month. It's not exciting, but Claxton is a live DFS play and worth a look in the various prop markets in this spot.

Bank On Boucher: With Scottie Barnes currently questionable, Chris Boucher should see an increase in usage. He put up 17 points and 8 rebounds (with a pair of blocks) in 30 minutes Monday, and a similar stat line is expected Wednesday night. He played 30 minutes 14 times during the regular season and averaged 17.2 PPG with 10.6 RPG over that span. His double-double prop is worth a look once Barnes' status is