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With the 2021-22 NBA regular season now in the books, the basketball betting market is hotter than ever. CBS Sports will provide daily selections for the duration of the postseason. Sam Quinn will make at least one pick for every game leading up to the NBA Finals. All lines courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
If a team tells you they’ve given up a streak… they’ve probably given up a streak. Ben Simmons was scheduled to play Boston in Game 4. That target date had been reported for the previous week before being scratched on Sunday. If Brooklyn believed it would win that series, it would use its entire roster. The Nets believe they will lose, so are holding Simmons back to give him a less-pressurized debut next season. The pick: Celtics -1
Featured Game | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors
The average total in this series was 217, and while that’s backed up by an explosive Game 1, it’s worth noting that the lowest total here was 205 points. The series is more offensive in Philadelphia than Toronto if you believe in the concept of the home whistle. Joel Embiid has 25 free throws in his first two home games and only 18 away. The Raptors are a great defensive team, but this hasn’t been a cheap matchup against Embiid so far and should result in a higher-rated Game 5. The choice: Over 209.5
Featured Game | Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz
Utah may have squeaked Game 4 at home, but the fundamental issues that cost them Games 2 and 3 without Luka Doncic on the floor remain. This is still a team struggling to stop anyone on the fringes. With Doncic back and probably even stronger after a good start to the series and moving the series to Dallas for Game 5, the Mavericks should be big favorites this game. The choice: Mavs -3