Advertisement

NBA betting: Picks against the spread for Friday night's playoff games

The second round of the NBA playoffs continues Friday night with two games and Yahoo Sports’ Jared Quay has the picks you need for all of the action.

All odds via BetMGM.

Philadelphia 76ers (-1.5) at Atlanta Hawks, Total: 224.5

The winner of this game Friday night takes a 2-1 lead in the series. The Hawks haven’t been to a conference finals since 2015 and now have to face Philly without DeAndre Hunter. The forward has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs with a knee injury that requires surgery.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid has avoided surgery — so far — on the torn meniscus he suffered against the Washington Wizards in the first round. After missing Game 1, Embiid returned for Game 2 and had 40 points and 13 rebounds as Philadelphia evened the series.

His presence in Game 3 is a big reason why the Sixers are favored despite being on the road. And why the game could hit the over.

Philadelphia games have hit the over four of the last five times. Conversely, Atlanta games have gone under eight of the last 10 times. Game 1 hit the over while Game 2 hit the under.

Yahoo Sports’ Jared Quay thinks the over is possible in Game 3. And he’s making a pick straight up.

“I do think the over is likely too but I really like the Atlanta Hawks to win,” Quay said.

Prop bet we like: Ben Simmons over 15.5 assists and rebounds combined (+100)

Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets (-1.5), Total: 222.5

The Nuggets are attempting to avoid a 3-0 hole and sure series loss Friday night. Phoenix has covered the spread easily in each of the first two games of the series. Game 1 hit the over and Game 2 went under by fewer than four points.

The over has been popular for Phoenix lately. Twelve of Phoenix’s last 18 games have gone over as the Suns are shooting well from the perimeter. Six of Denver’s last eight games against Phoenix have also gone over. It sure seems like the ingredients are here for a game that hits the over again.

Quay didn’t offer a pick on the total, but he thinks that Denver will cover the 1.5 and get back into the series. Even if it’s just for a fleeting second.

Prop bet we like: Aaron Gordon over 11.5 points (-120)

More from Yahoo Sports: