Charlie Rondeau

Monday&#39;s slate marks the beginning the beginning of the Conference Semifinals in the NBA playoffs. Last night, the Detroit Pistons won their first playoff series in 18 years, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in Game 7, 116-94. Cade Cunningham delivered with 32 points and 12 assists, complemented by forward Tobias Harris&#39; 30 points and 5-for-7 shooting from downtown.
The Cleveland Cavaliers kept their season alive as well, coming out victorious in a 3-3 deadlock against the Toronto Raptors in Game 7, 114-102. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen had themselves a night, each scoring 22 points while James Harden led the team with three steals. Harden also contributed offensively with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists.
To come out a winner this postseason, <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/" target='_blank' rel="noopener">here are tonight&#39;s best bets brought to you by BetOnline.org. Click here to join. All new players get a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bets.</a>
First Pick: San Antonio Spurs -13.5
Rundown:&nbsp;Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are set to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 at Frost Bank Center.
San Antonio enters Monday aiming to continue their excellent basketball as Victor Wembanyama is averaging 21 points per game since his return from injury. Wembanyama has been just as big of a force defensively and on the glass with 4 blocks per game and 8.8 rpg. De&#39;Aaron Fox is on a heater of his own after logging 21 points and nine assists in Game 5 against Portland. Furthermore, Stephon Castle stepped up that same game, logging 15 points and five assists.
Meanwhile for Minnesota, Rudy Gobert poses the only legitimate threat for Wembanyama with his 7&#39;1&quot; build and 10.7 rpg, which proved effective in neutralizing Denver&#39;s Nikola Jokić. Moreover, Anthony Edwards was upgraded to questionable&#8211;a gleam of light for a Timberwolves squad who is already down Donte DiVincenzo for the remainder of the season. A potential Edwards return is crucial to Minnesota having any chance against San Antonio with his 18 ppg providing a major offensive spark.
Given the Spurs&#39; impressive 32-8 home record, bettors can expect them to handle business.
Second Pick: Philadelphia 76ers +7.5
Rundown:&nbsp;After routing the No. 2 Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers look to channel that momentum in Game 1 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Philadelphia 76ers finally got over the hump&#8211;defeating Boston in the postseason. Just three games after his return to the lineup, Joel Embiid came up big in Game 7 with 34 points, 12 boards and six assists. Now, the 76ers will seek to keep taking the East by storm once again versus New York, who is coming off a commanding series win over the Atlanta Hawks.
The Knicks have a lot going in their favor, too. Guard Jalen Brunson has averaged 26.3 ppg and 6.2 apg while Karl-Anthony Towns dominates the glass with 11.3 rpg. The pair were exceptional in Game 6 against Atlanta, logging a respective 29 and 28 points with the latter registering three steals. However, facing off against a team with more size and experience in the 76ers may slow them down a bit.
With Philadelphia hungrier than ever, expect a down-to-the-wire contest.

TST Best Bets: May 4, 2026

Rams' pick: Opting for Ty Simpson over Taylen Green could favor longevity despite Green's instant impact allure. Kevin Walsh gives his criticisms on the pick.

LA Rams' Draft Decision: Ty Simpson vs. Taylen Green

Taylen Green, drafted at 182, might just outshine Fernando Mendoza despite his raw skills. His mobility and size could make him the quarterback of the future.

Taylen Green: Potential Future Quarterback in Cleveland?

Kevin Walsh and Joe Lisi break down the Cleveland Browns' offense boost with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. How does their teamwork reshape team tactics?

Evaluating Browns' New Additions: KC Concepcion & Denzel Boston

LATEST VIDEOS

NBA playoffs,San Antonio Spurs,Victor Wembanyama,Minnesota Timberwolves

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

Monday&#39;s slate marks the beginning the beginning of the Conference Semifinals in the NBA playoffs.

twitter:description

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/2192122-1920x1080.webp?v=1777941327

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/tst-best-bets-may-4-2026

og:url

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

article:publisher

The Lakers showed their colors against the Rockets but will need to be perfect to come out on top in Round 2 against the NBA&#39;s defending champs.

What the Lakers showed in Round 1 and what it means for Round 2

The conference semifinals have arrived. We're fading a fatigued Philly squad in the Garden and betting on "The Alien" to dominate a hobbled Ant-man in the North. Between the Knicks' elite defensive structural integrity and Victor Wembanyama's high-ceiling gravity against Minnesota, these are the smartest surgical plays for Monday night’s postseason action.

NBA Best Bets Today: 76ers vs. Knicks and Timberwolves vs. Spurs Picks

Down 3-1 and staring at a historic disappointment, Detroit found its second wind. Behind a surgical 32-point night from Cade Cunningham, the Pistons completed the comeback to set up a second-round date with Cleveland.

The Great Escape: Detroit Reclaims the East After Surviving Orlando's Best Shot

Cleveland survived a seven-game meat grinder to move on. With Jarrett Allen dominating the glass in Game 7, the Cavaliers are now looking like a verified powerhouse as they prepare to dictate the terms of engagement against the Detroit Pistons in the next round. Here is the full breakdown of the victory and where the smart money is moving on Kalshi.

2026 NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers Eliminate Raptors in Game 7 War

&quot;I’m still really focusing on the playoffs, and I haven’t spoken with anyone from the JBA (Japan Basketball Association).&quot;

Straight Talk: Hachimura shoots his name into consideration for Japan national team

The postseason crucible doesn't just crown champions—it exposes the pretenders. As the first 12 teams are sent packing, we’re performing a total autopsy on their rosters. Who is one move away from title contention, and who is headed for a total teardown? We rank the futures of every team already eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Ranking the Futures of the 12 Teams Eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs

The Philadelphia 76ers have pulled off the improbable, storming back from a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics in a 109-100 Game 7 thriller. Behind a dominant 34-point, 12-rebound performance from Joel Embiid, Philly controlled the tempo from the opening tip, leading for 98% of the game. While Jaylen Brown kept Boston close with 33 points, the Celtics’ 27% shooting from deep proved fatal. The Sixers now head to Madison Square Garden to open their second-round series against the New York Knicks on Monday.

Process Complete: Embiid’s Double-Double Powers 76ers to Game 7 Victory, 3-1 Comeback Over Celtics

The Lakers are heading to the Western Conference Semifinals after a defensive masterclass in H-Town. Behind a vintage 28-point performance from LeBron James and a glass-cleaning clinic by Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles ignited a ruthless 27-3 surge to bury the Rockets 98-78. Despite a late-series scare, the veteran-led Lakers slammed the door on Houston to secure a 4-2 series victory, officially setting the stage for a heavyweight second-round showdown against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

King Stays King: Lakers’ 27-3 Surge Buries Rockets to Clinch Round 2 Date with OKC

The Boston Celtics are one game away from a historic collapse after squandering a 3-1 lead against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. As Jayson Tatum and Joe Mazzulla look to avoid the disaster of a Game 7 exit, the betting lines offer a unique opportunity. Meanwhile, on the ice, the rested Carolina Hurricanes begin their second-round quest against a battle-worn Philadelphia Flyers squad. We break down the top picks and betting angles for a massive night of postseason action.

TST Best Bets: Celtics vs. 76ers & Hurricanes vs. Flyers (May 2, 2026)

There was no historic comeback in Houston. Despite facing a raucous crowd and a determined Rockets team, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a dominant 98-78 victory in Game 6 to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Led by an ageless 28-point performance from LeBron James and a suffocating defense that held Houston to a season-low point total, JJ Redick earned his first playoff series win as head coach. The Lakers now turn their attention to a heavyweight second-round clash with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lakers' defense stonewalls Rockets, 98-78, to advance to second round

NBA Depth Charts

NBA Kalshi Picks

NBA Kalshi Player Props

NBA Power Rankings

SportsGrid delivers expert sports betting picks, predictions, analysis, odds, and live sports news across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more.

SportsGrid

SportsGrid, Inc. is a multimedia content and technology company providing digital solutions for the convergence of sports content, gaming, and next-generation interactive video technology.

Jeremy Stein

Louis Maione

President, Chief Strategy Officer

Louis M. Maione

Chief Media Officer

Charles Theiss

home

articles

SportsGrid College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

The Early Line Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

Gametime Decisions Live

Color Up How To Win At Craps

The Smylie Kaufman Show

Las Vegas Football Contest Show

Daily Racing Form Weekend Preview

Combat Sports Report

Bowden Blitz ACC Football Podcast

LatiNation Futbol Club

Front Office Sports Today

The Just Baseball Show

Bowden Blitz SEC Football Podcast

The Craig Carton Show

The Bobby Carpenter Show

College Basketball Today Podcast

In-Game LIVE Gameday

Gametime Decisions

2026 NFL Draft Special Gametime Decisions

2026 NFL Draft Special Gametime Decisions Live

OUR SHOWS

Atlanta Braves

Montreal Canadiens

Detroit Pistons

Cleveland Cavaliers

Colorado Avalanche

Los Angeles Dodgers

Chicago Cubs

New York Yankees

Despite a deep playoff run and a Game 7 loss to the Pistons, Jamahl Mosley was ousted as the Orlando Magic's coach. Craig discusses the latest sports headlines.

Orlando Magic Fires Coach Jamahl Mosley After Playoffs

Experts predict a close NBA playoff clash between Cleveland and Detroit, highlighting team weaknesses and essential betting odds. Check out our predictions!

Cleveland vs. Detroit NBA Playoff Series Prediction

Donnie Rightside and Joe Raineri discuss Scottie Scheffler's elite ranking and give their early betting tips for this year's PGA Championship in two weeks.

2026 PGA Championship: Updated Predictive Market Odds

Vegas Golden Knights

Carolina Hurricanes

The Anaheim Ducks face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Round Two opener. Vegas is favored at -164, with a 6.5 goal over/under. Expect a high-scoring series.

Anaheim vs. Vegas: Game 1 Highlights & Predictions

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

DIRECTV

Amazon Prime Video

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Stremium

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

WHERE TO WATCH SPORTSGRID

NBA GAME PICKS

3 Benefits to Online High Limit Slots

Popular Entertainment Themes You Can Play on Casinos Online

7 Popular Casino Themes That Recently Debuted Online

Online Casinos Begin to Offer Free Spin Choices

Are the Online Versions of Slots I've Seen in Casinos the Same?

BETTING NEWS

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Lakers face the Thunder in the NBA Playoffs, with Oklahoma City favored by 15.5 points, showcasing a notable talent gap. Can Los Angeles take a game?

Lakers vs. Thunder: Odds and Predictions for NBA Playoffs Series

Minnesota Timberwolves

Dexter Henry joins the show to break down the NBA playoff matchups, analyzing point spreads and team performances, focusing on San Antonio vs. Minnesota.

NBA Playoffs Preview: Timberwolves vs. Spurs Betting Odds

San Antonio Spurs

NBA Futures predictions: San Antonio and OKC lead the Western Conference, while the Lakers and Timberwolves face challenges. Check out our in-depth analysis!

NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win the Western Conference?

Explore NBA playoff predictions as the 76ers face the Knicks, analyzing odds and potential outcomes. Check out our in-depth series preview ahead of Game 1!

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES