Peter’s Points: NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions, Prop Bets for Jimmy Butler, Magic-Celtics, Heat Guard)

Wednesdays NBA playoff action features the final three Game 2s before every series shifts to the lower-seeded teams home arena later in the week.

The Cleveland Cavaliers the No.

1 seed in the East are aiming to build on a 21-point Game 1 win when they take on the Miami Heat in Game 2, although Miami wont be at a rest disadvantage in this game.

The Heat ran out of gas in Game 1 after winning in the play-in tournament just two days prior.

The other top seed in the East the Boston Celtics is in action as well on Wednesday.

The Cs picked up a 17-point win in Game 1 as they aim to continue their title defense, and there is an interesting bet to consider for their matchup with the Orlando Magic tonight.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors are looking to pick up a second straight road win over the No.

2-seeded Houston Rockets, but oddsmakers have Houston set as a 2.5-point favorite in that matchup.

I have player props for the Warriors and Cavs games, while there is a team total to consider in the Cs-Magic matchup.

Lets break down all three picks for the action on April 23.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date 2024-25 season record: 229-220-4 (-2.77 units) OVERALL (since 2021-22 season): 1239-1165-26 (+35.33 units) Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included).

You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here .

NBA Best Bets Today Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Orlando Magic Team Total UNDER 92.5 (-110) 0.5 unit Davion Mitchell OVER 16.5 Points and Assists (-105) 0.5 unit Jimmy Butler OVER 22.5 Points (-105) 0.5 unit The big concern for Orlando in this series was always the teams offense, and that was evident in Game 1, as Orlando scored just 86 points despite Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner combining for 59.

The Magic finished the regular season 27th in offensive rating and dead last in effective field goal percentage, but Sundays matchup was a sign that outside of Banchero they dont have much in terms of efficient scoring options.

The same issue cost Orlando in the playoffs last season, and this Celtics defense top 10 in the NBA isnt going to be easy to beat.

Plus, these teams played at the slowest pace (87) of any teams in the playoffs in Game 1.

If this Game 2 matchup turns into another half-court slog, Orlando simply doesnt score efficiently enough or hit enough 3s for me to trust it to clear this total.

Heat guard Davion Mitchell has been a revelation as of late, scoring 15, 16 and 18 points in his three postseason games (two play-in games) with Miami.

On top of that, hes adding nearly eight assists per game (23 total) during that stretch.

After a big Game 1 where he played nearly 34 minutes, I expect Mitchell to remain in a featured role for the Heat because of his defensive ability.

The former first-round pick is one of the better options defensively on Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland in this series.

Over his final 14 regular season games, Mitchell averaged 12.1 points and 6.3 assists per game.

He seems to have carried that momentum into the playoffs, and I love him at this number on Wednesday.

Playoff Jimmy is here.

Jimmy Butler scored 25 points in Game 1 against Houston, taking 19 shots and six free throws to help lead Golden State to a road win.

Since the end of the regular season, Butler has really flipped the switch as a scorer, putting up 24 or more points in each of his last five games.

He also played over 40 minutes in the Game 1 win for the Warriors.

If Butlers usage remains this high, hes a must bet as a scorer for a Golden State team that doesnt have many options on offense after him and Steph Curry.

Houston has done a good job limiting the Warriors scoring this season, but if Butler is going to put up around 20 shot attempts, hes going to be in the mix to score 23 or more points every night.

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