The NBA playoffs are intensifying with four Game 5s scheduled, focusing on two key Eastern Conference matchups where the home teams could potentially close out their series. Cleveland, having advanced to the conference semifinals after defeating Miami, sets the stage for the Eastern semifinals to be fully determined soon. The Knicks, leading their series against the Pistons 3-1, are predicted to face a strong response from Detroit, especially after a controversial no-call in Game 4, but the Pistons are expected to cover the spread. Meanwhile, Boston leads Orlando 3-1 in a surprisingly competitive series where the Magic have consistently covered spreads after losses, and the absence of Jrue Holiday could affect the Celtics' performance. Despite shooting struggles and a reliance on Jayson Tatum, Boston is expected to secure a win, but covering an 11.5-point spread remains uncertain against a resilient Orlando team.

The NBA playoffs feature four Game 5 matchups, with a focus on the Eastern Conference where home teams like Cleveland have already advanced to the semifinals, creating anticipation for the rest of the semifinals to be set soon.

New York leads Detroit 3-1 in a series where the winning team has consistently covered spreads, except for a narrow miss by the Pistons in Game 1, highlighting Detroit's struggles in recent playoff history.

A controversial no-call at the end of Game 4 between the Knicks and Pistons has fueled expectations for a strong performance from Detroit, with predictions favoring them to cover the spread and potentially win.

Boston leads Orlando 3-1 in a series that has been much closer than anticipated, with all recent games decided by 10 points or less, and the Celtics performing better on the road historically but maintaining a strong home playoff record.

Orlando, known for its defensive prowess, has managed to match Boston offensively despite the Celtics missing key player Jrue Holiday due to injury, and the Magic have covered spreads consistently after losses.

Despite Boston's shooting struggles, particularly from three-point range, and heavy reliance on Jayson Tatum's scoring, the Celtics are expected to win, although covering the 11.5-point spread against a resilient Orlando team is questionable.

Alex Payton, a betting content producer, provides analysis and predictions for these games, highlighting the dynamics and betting odds involved, given his expertise in the sports betting industry.

The NBA playoffs pivot tonight with four Game 5s, and we’re looking at two games in the Eastern Conference where the home team has a chance to close things out.

East No. 1 seed Cleveland advanced to the conference semifinals last night with a record-breaking scrimmage win over Miami. The entire Eastern semifinals could be set by this time tomorrow, and then we can all complain about the long break in between the series.

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Pistons at Knicks Odds

New York leads this rugged series 3-1. The winning team has covered in three of the four games this series, and the only miss was by the Pistons by a half point in Game 1. In other words, believe in the sportsbooks for this one.

Detroit is 22-21 on the road this season and 43-41-2 against the spread. The Knicks are 26-17 at the Garden and 43-42-1 against the spread. Detroit has failed to cover in eight of its last nine games against teams with winning records. Oh, and remember, Detroit is 1-17 in its last 18 playoff games.

Pistons at Knicks Prediction

Allow me to weigh in on the chaos at the end of Game 4 when the Knicks could have/should have been whistled for a foul on the last shot by Tim Hardaway Jr.

It’s not a foul. Let the players decide the game in the final minute. Detroit had chances to win and didn’t. End of story. The refs did the right thing.

New York is in the same situation they were in last year, up on Philly 3-1 in the first round, and everyone was sure they were going to close it out in Game 5, and then they collapsed. The Knicks won it in Game 6 instead.

New York has not been able to stop Cade Cunningham of the Pistons, and I think Detroit is mad about what happened at the end of Game 4 and will come out strong. I predict the Pistons cover, and maybe even win.

The pick: Pistons +5.5 (-112 at DraftKings)

Magic at Celtics Odds

Boston leads this series 3-1, but the series has been closer than people thought it would be. The last three games have all been decided by 10 points or less.

The Celtics have actually been better on the road than at home this season, but dating back to last year, Boston has won eight straight home playoff games. The Celtics are 40-45-1 against the spread this season. Orlando is 43-43-1 against the spread.

Orlando has covered the spread in each of its last nine games after a loss.

Magic at Celtics Prediction

I predict the Celtics will win, but I don’t know that they will cover. Orlando was the No. 1 scoring defense in the NBA this season, and they’ve been able to match Boston pretty well offensively. The Celtics will be without do-everything star Jrue Holiday again with a hamstring pull. Boston misses him. They only got six points off the bench in Game 4.

Boston made only nine threes in Game 4, and needed 37 points from Jayson Tatum and a late spurt to get the win on the road. Boston will shoot better tonight from three-point land, but I like how Orlando responds after losses, and they haven’t been outclassed this series. 11.5 points is a lot to lay.

The pick: Magic +11.5 (-110 at Caesars)