Game 4. And for the 4 teams in action they hold a different meaning. Monday’s doubleheader features collisions between the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers, along with another chapter of the fabled Pistons-Cavaliers rivalry. For the Lakers, the end is near. The Thunder have gone up 3-0 after a Game 3 trampling and are looking to eliminate the Lakers at home in Game 4 in Los Angeles. King James and company will look to stop the sweep. Their Game 4 meeting is set for broadcast at 9:30 pm ET on PRIME, while Pistons vs Cavs kicks things off at 8:00 pm ET on NBC. A Cleveland win turns the series into a best of 3.
You can find our NBA picks for all of today’s matchups, along with EVERY GAME through the entire postseason. But for now, here are our expert NBA best bets for today’s 2 playoff games on Monday, May 11.
Pistons vs Cavaliers NBA best bet: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Cleveland finally showed in Game 3 that it can match Detroit’s physicality, and that changes the complexion of this rivalry series. The Cavaliers secured a 116–109 win behind 35 points and 10 rebounds from Donovan Mitchell while also cleaning up several of the issues that plagued them in the first two games. Most notably, Cleveland attacked downhill far more effectively and finished efficiently at the rim instead of settling exclusively for contested jumpers. The Cavaliers were able to nearly match the Pistons with point in the paint, showing that they can attack Detroit in the interior, as well.
Mitchell one could argue, looks like the best player in the series right now, and historically that matters in swing playoff games where this can become a best of 3 with a Cleveland victory. I know Cade Cunnigham is a beast and he posted a triple-double in Game 3, but he also committed eight turnovers, several of which directly fueled Cleveland transition opportunities late. The Cavaliers’ spacing, playoff experience, and offensive ceiling make them a threat. Once Cleveland could solve Detroit’s physical edge, the matchup equalizes and if anything now tilts back toward raw talent and shot creation. Vintage James Harden and Spider Mitchell give Cleveland the edge and make them a very dangerous team for any to encounter. If the Cavaliers can play a bit of defense and not rely exclusively on the three-pointer, the Knicks better look out. The Cavs have shown they can do that and that adds a whole dimension to this series and this game. Laying the short number is the right side. Cleveland ties it up.
Thunder vs Lakers NBA best bet: Lakers +10.5 (-110)
Odds available at Dabble at time of publishing.
Everything points toward Oklahoma City perhaps repeating as champions and wrapping this series up, but this specific number opens the door to value on Los Angeles. The Lakers are staring elimination in the face, yet they still have one of the greatest postseason performers the sport has ever seen in LeBron James. In games like this, that carries weight.
This is also a classic desperation spot. Teams down 3–0 often play with maximum urgency because there is no tomorrow. Rotations shorten, stars log heavier minutes, and effort levels spike. The Lakers know they likely cannot trade punches with Oklahoma City over an entire series, but for one night at home, they can absolutely raise their level enough to stay within range. Meanwhile, the Thunder are in a difficult motivational spot. Human nature can creep in when a team knows it has multiple chances to finish a series. Even a slight dip in focus can tighten margins considerably. If the Lakers are alive entering crunch time, LeBron gives them a legitimate shot to maybe even do the unthinkable and send this to 5. Taking over 10 points in that scenario is too much value to ignore.
Read our full Lakers vs Thunder Game 4 prediction
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