NBA Against the Spread Picks & Predictions Today: Best Bets for Monday, May 5

Our expert NBA against the spread picks and predictions today feature our best bets for Monday, May 5, based on the latest NBA playoffs odds.

Philip Wood

Last updated: May 5, 2025 4:31 PM EDT • 3 min read

NBA Predictions Against the Spread Today — Pictured: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots a 3-pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.

Two NBA playoff series tip off tonight with the Boston Celtics hosting the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Denver Nuggets in their respective second-round matchups. Both home teams are heavily favored, as we make the best NBA picks and predictions against the spread.

We look at how these teams performed against one another during the regular season, how key players are playing entering tonight’s games, and more to make our best ATS picks for today's NBA playoffs action.

🏀 Best NBA predictions against the spread today: Monday, May 5

✅ Celtics (-9) vs. Knicks (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Nuggets (+9.5) vs. Thunder (-105 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

💰 NBA ATS picks & best bets for Monday

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🔥 Celtics (-9) vs. Knicks ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Celtics won all four regular-season meetings between these two teams, with three of those wins coming by at least 13 points. Though the Knicks nearly won in New York on April 8, the Celtics managed to sneak away with an overtime victory.

The main reason to back the Celtics is the Knicks' inability to slow down Jayson Tatum. Tatum has scored at least 25 points in all four games against the Knicks this season, and he’s topped 32 in three of those games. Tatum enters this game having scored at least 35 in three consecutive games.

The Celtics opened as 9.5-point favorites, but the spread has dropped to 9 at most of our best sports betting sites. The Celtics have dominated the Knicks all year and should again tonight.

✅ Best odds: -110 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $9.09 profit)

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🔥 Nuggets (+9.5) vs. Thunder ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Though the Thunder are 18 games better than the Nuggets in the standings, the two teams split the regular-season series. The Nuggets even managed to pick up a win in Oklahoma City in March.

The Nuggets enter this game after a thrilling seven-game series against the Los Angeles Clippers, and while some will argue the lack of rest will hurt them, I think it will help. They’ve been playing competitive games for two weeks, while the Thunder haven’t stepped on the court since April 26. Look for the Thunder to shake off the rust eventually, but Nikola Jokic and company will keep this game close enough to cover a massive spread.

✅ Best odds: -105 via Caesars (bet $10 to win $9.52 profit)

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💡 More NBA expert picks

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Written By:
Philip Wood

Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.