Saturday brings us our first look at an NBA conference semifinal game this season, as the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves visit the defending champion, #2 seed Denver Nuggets. Here are my NBA picks for May 4th. Go here for the latest NBA odds
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NBA Picks May 4th
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Spread: Nuggets -4.5
Total: 207
For the first time in 20 years, the Minnesota Timberwolves made it out of the first round of the playoffs. And they did it in impressive fashion, sweeping the star-studded Phoenix Suns. Their reward – the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, with possibly four games in the elevation of Denver.
At least they get a Nuggets team with a banged-up Jamal Murray. Murray, who hit two game-winning shots in the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers, is questionable for Game 1 with an ongoing issue with his calf. But he hit the series-clinching shot in Game 5 of the first round with the very same injured calf, so you’d have to expect him to suit up on Saturday.
These teams split their regular season series, both going 2-2 against the other, so we can’t take too much from that. I think in Game 1 the Nuggets will hold home court and cover the 4.5 points for us. And let’s sprinkle some money on the over – based on how these teams scored in the first round, I could see this total getting into the 220s.
Best Bet: Nuggets -4.5 (-104); Timberwolves/Nuggets Over 207 (-110)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NBA bets for May 4th, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
