The 2024 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and the excitement around basketball betting is reaching new heights. CBS Sports is here with daily picks throughout the postseason, with Sam Quinn offering at least one prediction for every game from now until the NBA Finals.
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In this series, the home teams have dominated, winning all five games by significant margins. The first four games weren’t even close, with each ending in double-digit differences and a combined margin of plus-86 in favor of the home teams. The Magic have had a noticeable home-court advantage, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc when playing in Orlando, compared to just 25.2% in Cleveland. This isn’t surprising considering the Magic’s youthful roster: eight of their 10 rotational players are in their first or second playoff run, so they’re understandably more comfortable at home. With this in mind, I’m taking the Magic to cover the spread at -4.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
I have a feeling Russell Westbrook might find himself with a reduced role in Game 6. His shooting has been abysmal, hitting just 6-of-35 in his last four games, and Dallas isn’t even bothering to guard him. Terance Mann hasn’t been getting much respect from the Mavericks either—NBA.com tracking data shows that 17 of his 18 three-point attempts have been uncontested. Mann’s questionable for Game 6 due to a leg contusion, but if he’s healthy, I expect him to play more minutes as he offers a more consistent energy level than Westbrook.
Despite being largely ignored by the Dallas defense, Mann’s still managed to make 47.1% of his wide-open threes in this series. Though he shot a career-low 34.8% from deep during the regular season, he’s usually a more reliable shooter than that. Given the Mavericks’ defensive strategy, Mann should get plenty of clean looks, and I think he can hit at least two threes. My pick: Mann Over 1.5 3-Pointers.
