Ray Monohan Basketball Picks Archive

Pacers +4.5

Indiana is the move as they take on the Knicks in Game 1. Both underdogs advanced in the East and this is going to be a very physical series. This is too many points for the Pacers, who have already proven they can win on the road this postseason. They can look to their perimeter defense, that held the Cavaliers to under 30% from behind the arc in 4 of the 5 games last round. They can frustrate this Knicks side and win this game on the defensive end. New York has shown some issues when it comes to streaky shooting, which doesn’t bode well against this kind of defense. Back Indiana.

Wednesday 9* NBA ATS Play

Thunder -7

Oklahoma City and Minnesota meet in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder have good value here at home. Oklahoma City dominated Denver in Game 7 as they continued to force turnovers. Their defense seems to pick up the energy at home, as they forced 75 turnovers in total over the 4 home games in that series. That’s going to be the difference here as the Timberwolves are going to have their hands full trying to create open looks. All season long, the Thunder leaned on their defense and they’re doing that again here in the postseason. Look for them to make a statement in Game 1 and frustrate Minnesota all night long. Back OKC.

Tuesday 8* NBA ATS Play

Boston +2.5

The Celtics are the move here in Game 6 as they try and send this series back to Boston. While they’re obviously without Tatum, this team still has plenty of talent to go around and they showed that in Game 5 as they forced this series back to MSG. Boston has 6 players score in double figures and they had the guys stepping up all over the place in Game 5. Pritchard and White both set the tone and they have the depth to beat this Knicks side. Look for Boston to put their emphasis on the defensive end and they can turn defense into offense after forcing turnovers. This is a game where Brown can step up in a big way and Boston can send this back home for Game 7. Grab the points.

Friday 9* NBA ATS Play

OKC -4.5

The Thunder are the move as they try to close out the Nuggets. Oklahoma City took a 3-2 lead as they got some clutch shots down the stretch of Game 5. Denver has had their chances to take control of this series and they’ve failed late and now they’re going to have their backs against the wall here. Their lack of depth has been a giant issue during this series as they’re asking a ton of different players to step up after playing nearly the entire game. The opposite can be said for OKC, who has plenty of weapons off the bench. They’ve worn down the Nuggets and this is a game where Denver is going to run out of gas. Grab the Thunder.

Thursday 8* NBA ATS Play

OKC -10.5

The Thunder are the move as they return home even at 2-2. The Nuggets had their chance and couldn’t close out Game 4 as now all the momentum is with the Thunder and they’ll have the crowd energy behind them. The Thunder are going to put the clamps down defensively like they did in the 4th quarter of Game 4 as the Nuggets had no answer at the rim. The Thunder dominating all season by leaning on their defense and that’s going to be the difference once again. This will be a game dominated by the Thunder on both ends of the floor and keep their foot on the gas throughout. Back the Thunder.

Tuesday 8* NBA ATS Play

OVER 208

We’re on the over here as the Celtics and Knicks play in Game 4. Boston rebounded in a big way Saturday to get right back in this series as their offense found it’s groove. This is going to be a wide open game and we should see plenty of offensive production both ways. The Celtics shot 20 of 40 from behind the arc and they’re going to ride that great shooting performance right into play on Monday. New York should have a bounce back performance shooting themselves, which should result in a lot of back and forth this game. Both offenses have proven they can score this series and this will turn into a quicker paced game. Grab the over.

Monday 7* NBA O/U Play

Cavs -5

Cleveland is worth a move here in Game 4. After getting back to 100% health team wise, the Cavs throttled the Pacers in Game 3. They have all the momentum and this is another case where they can put their foot on the gas and come out firing. Mitchell having the support of Garland and Mobley not only gives the team depth, but it allows for plenty more options on the floor. Cleveland is the better team and they’ll have all the confidence to even this series up in another blowout fashion. Back Cleveland. 

Sunday 8* NBA ATS Play

Celtics -5.5

The Celtics are the move in Game 3 as the series shifts to MSG. Boston blew huge leads in both Games 1 and 2 and now are in pretty much do or die mode entering Game 3. Despite being down 2-0, they still held double digit leads in both games and they’re the better overall team. They I’ll put an emphasis on coming out with the same fire and holding the lead this time. Boston is still deeper and they’re not going to shoot as bad as they’ve shot from behind the arc. They were one of the best in the regular season, shooting at a 37% clip from behind the arc. This will be a game they’re going to dictate everything and not take their foot off the gas. Lay the points.

Saturday 7* NBA ATS Play

Cavs -2

Cleveland is down 2-0 after blowing a 20 point lead in Game 2 in Cleveland. This is pretty much a must win and while they still have some players questionable, they’re still a valuable pick. Cleveland led for 4/5 of the game without the likes of Garland and Mobley and a couple of missed calls down the stretch costed them. Cleveland is still the better team here and Mitchell is the best player on the court. Look for Cleveland to come out with that same grind mentality and win this game on the defensive end. They let their guard down in the 4th quarter after playing relentless defense for 3 quarters in Game 2. They’re still the better team and have the value here. Back Cleveland.

Friday 9* NBA ATS Play

Warriors +10.5

Golden State has the value here catching a lot of points. Even without Steph Curry, the Warriors are going to keep this close. Golden State is going to slow this pace down and really put an emphasis on this game being low scoring. They showcased they can frustrate teams with their defensive ability after having Houston clearly struggling to find open shots in the first round. Look for this to be a defensive struggle and for this game to be won with their 102 ppg against during this postseason. The Warriors have enough vets still on their team to keep this close. Back Golden State.

Thursday 8* NBA ATS Play

OVER 210.5

Boston and New York play in Game 2 and we’re on the over. This series is going to prove to be entertaining as these two teams love to push the issue. Boston clearly isn’t shy about shooting the 3 ball and after hoisting up 60 threes in Game 1, they’ll shoot a little better here than making just 15 of them in Game 1. New York’s offense has proven they can compete and they’re going to come in with the same game plan as they’ll attack the rim on Boston. It’s going to open up a lot of shooting lanes and this game should feature a lot of back and forth all night long. Grab the over.

Wednesday 9* NBA O/U Play

Cavs -9

This is a prime bounce back spot for Cleveland. The Cavaliers fell in Game 1 and it took the Pacers having an unreal shooting night to beat them by just a few. Cleveland has been one of the best teams when it comes to bouncing back and they're going to come out with some fire here. Garland remains questionable, but optimistic he can play here in Game 2, which would be a huge boost for this Cavs side, Regardless, they're going to shoot the ball better from 3 and they'll put much more pressure on these Indiana shooters. Grab the Cavs in a big way.

Tuesday 8* NBA ATS Play

Knicks +9.5

This is too many points for the Knicks here in Game 1. New York and Boston typically provide a lot of scrappy games where both teams play with a lot of intensity. That is going to be the case here as the Knicks are going to do everything they can to wear down Boston. New York won their series with the Pistons thanks to the defensive end and that is what they'll have to do here. They allowed just 106.7 ppg during the series win and they'll put an emphasis on closing out on these outside shooters. Look for them to try and slow the game down, knocking Boston out of their rhythm. Grab the points.

Monday 9* NBA ATS Play

UNDER 230

The Cavs and Pacers meet in Game 1 and we’re on the Under here. Indiana is a step up from the Heat and the Pacers game plan is going to be to try and slow this game down. Cleveland has ran over teams all season long with their ability to push the ball and open up shooting lanes. Indiana is going to try and turn this into a half court style game and slow everything down. Indiana only allowed 110 ppg in the Bucks series and they can force these Cavs shooters into some difficult shots. Grab the under here.

Sunday 8* NBA O/U Play

OVER 207

Game 7 pins the Nuggets and Clippers against each other and this is a good over game. The overs are starting to come in during the playoffs for the NBA, as games are beginning to open up. We’ve seen a lot of speed and tempo in this series and this game will be no different. Look for both teams to push the ball in transition, which will result in a lot of quick shots. These two teams have went well above the total in the last two games and with everything on the line here, we are going to see plenty of big time shots. Grab the over.

Saturday 9* NBA O/U Play

Nuggets +6.5

Denver is the move here as they take on the Clippers in Game 6. The last 10 times these two teams have clashed, Denver has lost by 7+ points just 1 time. All these games tend to be close and this will be another game as they try to steal this game and series. It’s the experience of Jokic and Murray that are becoming the difference as this team goes when they go. Look for this to be another game they play through Jokic and we see Denver play with a ton of pressure on both ends of the floor. Grab the points.

Thursday 8* NBA ATS Play

UNDER 204.5

Golden State and Houston meet and this is a great under spot. Golden State has found a recipe to success as they’ve flustered this Rockets side. They’re turning up the pressure defensively and they’re not letting Houston play at the pace they like to. This is going to be another game that the Warriors turn into a grind. Golden State is only averaging 100 ppg against through the first 4 games of this playoff series and they’re going to slow this game down as they try to eliminate the Rockets. Houston has had no groove and this will be a low scoring, close game again. Back the under.

Wednesday 8* NBA O/U Play 

Nuggets +2

Denver is off a buzzer beating win and now they look to hold par with Game 5 at home. The Nuggets have all the momentum and they have stepped up defensively to make this series even. They’re suffocating these Clippers shooters and they’re not letting these LA stars get into rhythm. The Nuggets are a deeper team as well and with new life, Jokic and Murray are both going to step up here. With new found life in this series, Denver is going to feed off the home crowd energy and come out of the gates quick. Back Denver.

Tuesday 9* NBA ATS Play

OVER 202.5

Golden State and Houston meet and this is a good over spot. While this has been a defensive minded series so far, this game is going to be wide open. The Warriors lead 2-1 and Houston is going to have to change their style up. They are a younger team and they had their regular season success with their speed. Look for them to try and pick the tempo up and turn this into a fast paced game, which will obviously give the over value. Jimmy Butler is expected to be back in the lineup and this offense runs much smoother for the Warriors side when he’s in the lineup. Grab the over.

Monday 9* NBA O/U Play

Denver +6.5

Denver has the value catching points here. The Nuggets aren’t going to go away quietly and they can erase that Game 3 quickly and focus on evening this series up. This is a game where Denver has to put the emphasis on getting back to their defensive ways. They allowed far too many easy looks for the Clippers in Game 3 and they’re at their best when they can shut down any transition game. This is the kind of game where the stars step up and it’ll be Murray and Jokic who come up big. Denver will get off to a quick start and wear down the Clippers with their relentless pressure. Back Denver.

Saturday 9* NBA ATS Play