The NBA playoffs are always wild, wacky and filled with knife-thick drama. With players putting everything on the line in an attempt to bask in championship glory, naturally, the pressure-packed games are tremendously fun to wager on. As a result, the sportsbooks offer many creative ways to enhance the action. What is Brad’s SGP play in Timberwolves-Nuggets Game 7? Check out his leans below.
The pick — SGP: Nuggets ML, Nikola Jokic 25+ points, Aaron Gordon 5+ rebounds (+138, BetMGM)
BetMGM offer:
Dog walking. Epic thrashing. A good old-fashioned butt kicking.
The treatment doled out by Minnesota against Denver in Game 6 was tyrannical in nature. It was more than sheer embarrassment. It was deeper than harsh humiliation. Frankly, the 115-70 massacre was equivalent to a post-party landscape at any college fraternity with passed-out bodies, crunched beer cans, vomit splatters and other unspeakable carnage.
“Beat our ass,” as Nikola Jokic said postgame on Thursday, undersold the slaughter.
Now the drama reaches its highest point. On Sunday night inside Ball Arena, everything is at stake. The winner not only takes the series, but it also likely becomes the favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Here’s a breakdown of my SGP for Game 7.
Leg 1 — Nuggets ML.
The Mile High City’s 21,000 full-throated fans in attendance will make a difference. Backed into a corner, the champs are sure to feed off that positive energy and right all the terrible Game 6 wrongs.
Admittedly, the Timberwolves are a far superior on-paper team. In the postseason, they own the second-highest net efficiency at 8.6. The Nuggets sit at an unexpected No. 9 with a horrid -0.9 mark.
Still, Michael Malone’s squad is 17-7 in home playoff games since 2021. And they have the MVP.
Leg 2 — Nikola Jokic 25+ points.
The Joker, the Joaquin Phoenix version, is about to take the floor. Diabolically driven, he’s sure to pound the paint, craftily score around the bucket and occasionally splash from distance.
In the postseason, Jokic has scored at least 25 points in eight of 11 games, shooting 55.6% from the field and 90.6% from the free-throw line. Despite Minnesota’s stifling defense, Denver’s unstoppable villain, who’s averaged 28.2 points in the playoffs, laughs last.
Leg 3 — Aaron Gordon 5+ rebounds.
Jokic and Jamal Murray may be meatier options, but AG has delivered a string of Grade A efforts, particularly on the glass. He’s hauled in 6.5 rebounds per game in the postseason.
Having grabbed 25 total boards over his last three games and knowing he’s topped the needed number in seven of 11 playoff contests, Gordon is a wise investment. Yes, even with the Wolves ranking No. 2 in fewest opponent rebounds per game in the postseason.
With everything on the line, the Nuggets reward backers with more sweet than sour.
NBA postseason record: 9-21, -10.73 units