Round 2 of the NBA and NHL playoffs kicks off tonight with four loaded games on the board. If you’re looking for NBA playoff picks today, I’ve been checking lines across every major book all morning. And let me tell you — there is serious value sitting out there for sharp bettors who know where to look.
We’ve got the 76ers heading into Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. The Timberwolves travel to San Antonio to try and slow down Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. On the ice, the Flyers look to steal one in Carolina for Game 2. And the Ducks open their second-round series in Vegas against the Golden Knights.
Let’s break it all down and find the best bets for tonight’s action.
What Are Tonight’s NBA Playoff Games and Odds?
The NBA has two Game 1 matchups tonight. Both are Second Round series openers. Here’s what the odds look like right now.
76ers at Knicks — Game 1 (8:00 PM ET)
The Knicks enter as clear favorites at home. According to Covers.com, 18 picks are in for this game — 8 expert picks and 10 computer picks. The line opened at Knicks -5.5 and has held steady across most books.
Covers.com’s headline says it all: “Embiid goes beast mode at MSG.” Joel Embiid looked like a man on a mission in the first round. He dominated on both ends of the floor. But the Knicks are a different kind of test.
I checked the line on Bovada and BetOnline early this morning. Both had Knicks -5.5. Over at BetUS, I found the total sitting at 213 — a half point lower. That small difference matters when you’re betting totals.
Why I Like the 76ers +5.5
Five and a half points is a lot to give up in a playoff game. Especially in a Game 1 where both teams are feeling each other out. Embiid has been a monster in these playoffs. According to Covers.com’s props analysis, Mikal Bridges is expected to hit a couple of threes in this game. But the real story is Embiid’s dominance in the paint.
The 76ers won’t lay down here. They fought hard to get to this round. I think they keep this game close, even if the Knicks pull it out at the end.
Pick: 76ers +5.5 (-110)
Action Network’s series preview has Brandon Anderson noting the matchup dynamics that favor a competitive series. The Knicks are the better team on paper. But Game 1s in the NBA playoffs tend to be tight. The road team covers the spread more often than you’d think.
Timberwolves at Spurs — Game 1 (9:30 PM ET)
This is the biggest spread of the second round. Fox Sports has the Spurs at -13.5. And honestly? It might not be enough. San Antonio rolled through the first round. Victor Wembanyama is playing like an MVP candidate in his second postseason.
Covers.com notes that Rudy Gobert “won the first round for the Timberwolves” but “may not play nearly as much in the second.” That’s a huge red flag for Minnesota. The Spurs matchup is a nightmare for them.
Pick: Spurs -13.5 (-105) on BetMGM
I know laying 13.5 points feels crazy. But the Spurs are on a different level right now. According to OddsShark, San Antonio is 3-2 against the spread in their last five games. They’re playing at home. And the Timberwolves just don’t have the firepower to hang with them.
If you want a safer play, look at the Spurs first-half spread. I found it at -7 on MyBookie. The Spurs tend to come out hot at home and build early leads.
What Are Tonight’s NHL Playoff Games?
The NHL has two games on the slate tonight. Both are part of the Second Round.
Flyers at Hurricanes — Game 2 (7:00 PM ET)
Carolina took Game 1 and looks to go up 2-0 at home. Covers.com’s expert picks are split, with 6 experts weighing in on this one. The props analysis suggests a low-scoring game — “Vladar and Andersen hold scoring in check.”
According to CBS Sports, the Hurricanes leaned to the Over during the regular season. But their first-round series against Ottawa only produced 16 total goals in four games. That’s an average of just 4 goals per game.
NHL.com writers overwhelmingly picked the Hurricanes to win this series. Yahoo Sports’ Mike Brehm predicted Hurricanes in 5.
Why I Like the Under 5.5
Playoff hockey always trends toward the Under. Goaltending gets tighter. Coaches tighten up defensive systems. Both teams know the stakes are higher now.
I checked Everygame and BetNow for this game. Both had the Under 5.5 at around -110. That’s fair value for a game that should be a defensive battle.
Pick: Under 5.5 (-110)
Covers.com’s Logan Stankoven best bet article supports the idea that this will be a tight, physical game. The Flyers stunned people in the first round. But Carolina is built for playoff hockey. Expect a 3-2 or 2-1 type of game.
Ducks at Golden Knights — Game 1 (9:30 PM ET)
This is the most interesting series in the NHL right now. DraftKings Network reports the Golden Knights opened as -190 series favorites. But the Ducks are a legitimate threat.
Here’s where it gets wild. Polymarket actually has this game as a coin flip — both teams at 50 cents (50% implied probability). That’s a massive difference from what the traditional sportsbooks are showing.
CBS Sports says “Vegas shouldn’t lose this one” at home. And I agree. The Golden Knights have been dominant at T-Mobile Arena.
Why I Like the Golden Knights Moneyline
At -190, the moneyline isn’t great value. But I found the puck line at Golden Knights -1.5 (+140) on BetOnline. That’s where the real value sits. If Vegas wins, they’re likely winning by 2 or more at home.
Pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+140)
Kentucky Derby Aftermath: Golden Tempo Wins at 23-1
Before we move on to MLB, let’s talk about the Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo absolutely stunned the field on Saturday, winning the 152nd Derby at 23-1 odds from the 16 post position.
According to Covers.com, Golden Tempo paid out $48.24 for a win, $19.14 to place, and $11.90 to show. Renegade finished second, paying $7.14 to place. Chief Wallabee came in third.
The biggest story? Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. That’s history, folks. The New York Times and USA Today both led with that angle.
Now the question turns to the Preakness Stakes. Covers.com already has odds posted. Can Golden Tempo win again and keep the Triple Crown dream alive? I’ll be watching those lines closely on Bovada and FanDuel this week.
The T O Elvis odds drop at Churchill Downs also raised some eyebrows. According to Covers.com’s industry section, T O Elvis opened at 30-1 but only paid 5-1. That kind of dramatic line movement raises concerns about suspicious betting activity.
MLB Best Bets for Monday May 4
There’s a full MLB slate today with some solid matchups worth targeting. According to Covers.com, it’s “a good day for Chicago baseball.”
Top MLB Picks
Covers.com’s MLB player props article highlights Michael Soriano as a pitcher “continuing to spin gems.” If you’re into strikeout props, that’s where I’d look first. Check MyBookie for their MLB strikeout props — they usually have the best selection.
The home run props article from Covers.com likes Contreras to go yard for St. Louis. At +320 on BetUS, that’s a nice lottery ticket to add to your slip.
How to Build Tonight’s Parlay
Here’s my favorite parlay for Monday night. I’m putting this together on Bovada where the parlay builder makes it easy.
- 76ers +5.5 (-110)
- Spurs ML (-900)
- Hurricanes ML (-200)
- Golden Knights ML (-190)
That four-leg parlay pays around +210 on most books. The Spurs ML drags the odds down since they’re such heavy favorites. But it adds a safety net to the play.
If you want more juice, swap the Spurs ML for Spurs -13.5. That bumps the parlay to around +600. High risk, high reward.
Prediction Markets Update: Kalshi Stays in the Headlines
Prediction markets continue to be one of the hottest topics in the betting world. Kalshi just made TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, according to Covers.com. That’s a huge deal for a platform that’s still fighting legal battles in multiple states.
Kalshi also launched music prediction markets that have already hit $400 million in trading volume in 2026. You can now trade on outcomes in the world of music — not just sports and politics.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate unanimously banned senators from trading on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. And Minnesota is moving closer to banning prediction markets altogether. These regulatory battles are far from over.
Stanley Cup and NBA Championship Futures Worth Watching
Before I let you go, let’s look at the big picture. According to Covers.com, the Thunder are heavy favorites to win the NBA Championship as Round 2 begins. The Avalanche are the top Stanley Cup contenders after their offense “shined to start Round 2.”
If you’re looking at futures bets, now is the time to get value on longshots. The further we get into the playoffs, the shorter the odds become. I like the Hurricanes at around +500 to win the Stanley Cup on Everygame. They’ve got the goaltending and defensive structure to make a deep run.
For NBA futures, the Spurs represent interesting value if you believe Wembanyama can carry them all the way. Check DraftKings for their championship futures odds — they usually have the most competitive prices.
For bettors exploring different platforms and payment options, our guide on low-fee casino withdrawals can help you keep more of your winnings when you cash out.
Final Thoughts and Tonight’s Card
Here’s my full card for Monday May 4:
That’s five bets across three sports. Diversification is key in a busy night like this. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Remember — these are my best bets based on what I’m seeing across the market. But no bet is guaranteed. Set your limits before you start. Only wager what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, it’s time to step back.
If you or someone you know needs help with problem gambling, call the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700. They’re available 24/7.
Good luck tonight. Let’s cash some tickets.
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