The 2023 NBA playoffs could get half of its final four depending on the outcome of contests on Wednesday, May 10. Around the All-Star break many were wondering if the Los Angeles Lakers were even a playoff team. They were several games below .500 and outside the top 10 in the Western Conference standings. Roster adjustments at the trade deadline and better health allowed them to be one of the best over the second half and qualify for the play-in tournament. And now they are one win away from bouncing the defending champions for a trip to the conference final. The Warriors won’t go easily and are listed as a 6.5-point NBA betting pick favorite. It’s been a great postseason for Miami sports fans with the Heat aiming to eliminate the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal. The Heat are the top NBA pick against the spread with payouts in seven straight games. New York opened as a 4-point favorite on the NBA betting line at BetRivers sportsbook.

Daily NBA Picks

Miami at New York, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

LA Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)

Miami Heat at New York Knicks

It’s not a good sign when the best player questions the team’s will to win. New York’s Julius Randle had some choice words after the Knicks were outhustled again losing Game 4 109-101 on Monday night. All season it was the Knicks doing the dirty work but Miami changed the script in the series. The Heat outrebounded New York 44-35 snaring seven on the offensive glass in the fourth quarter to prevent any attempt at a comeback.

For the Knicks to keep their season alive the choice is simple. They need to be more aggressive against a team that came together at the perfect time. Miami had issues during the regular season fighting and clawing just to make the play-in tournament. They beat Chicago in the second game to claim the No. 8 seed. But Miami isn’t your typical lowest seed. The Heat won 44 regular season games returning the core of a group that won 53 games last season to earn the East’s top seed.

And Miami has been a moneymaking NBA spread pick in the playoffs covering in each of the first four games of this series and seven straight overall. Including the play-in tournament they are 9-2 ATS. As the bottom seed the Heat will need to win on the road and they’ve done that beating top-seed Milwaukee twice and taking Game 1 against the Knicks. The Heat are 3-2 SU after going 17-24 during the regular year.

NBA Playoff Pick: Miami Heat +4

Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors

Not many teams can say they have Golden State’s number. However, this year the Lakers are one of them. It truly defies the odds that LA has enjoyed so much success against their in-state rival. After losing the first regular season matchup, LA won the last three and the opener of this series with two of those triumphs coming in the Bay Area. A sweep in LA gave the Lakers six wins in the last seven meetings with LA 6-1 as an NBA picks vs. the spread. The Warriors were one of the better home teams during the season offsetting a horrendous display of basketball in away games and they’ll need to continue that to stay alive in the series.

LA’s duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James was huge in the latest victory. AD had his second straight strong game going 10 of 16 from the field for 23 points and 15 rebounds. James had 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The difference was LA got contributions from other players. Austin Reaves scored 21 points and Lonnie Walker IV with 15 points nearly outscored the Warriors in the fourth. With only six buckets in the final 12 minutes the Dubs had just 17 points.

LA’s length has been an issue with Steve Kerr going with a three-guard lineup to combat it. It kinda worked, but the Warriors need to be more consistent shooting the basketball. Steph Curry posted a triple double on Monday but his sidekick Klay Thompson had another off night shooting. The Warriors won’t give up the crown without a fight and I expect they’ll be more dialed in from distance on Wednesday to extend the series.

NBA Playoff Pick: Warriors -6.5

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