NBA Picks

With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Detroit Pistons turned to their best player in Cade Cunningham. Not only did he deliver, but he carried the team on his back the entire time in Game 5, finishing with 45 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 13-for-23 from the field and making 5 threes. Although it was a wire-to-wire win, the Pistons didn’t do it without drama, but they need to forget that game as quickly as possible as the series now moves to Orlando for Game 6. If they come out with the same effort in Friday’s game like they did on Wednesday, they’ll give themselves a chance. Detroit outrebounded Orlando 49-33 in that game, with 16 of those coming on the offensive end.

The Magic also had their superstar step up in Game 5, as Paolo Banchero went off for 45 points, 17-for-31 shooting and 6 threes made. That game once again showed how difficult it is to finish off an opponent, especially on the road in the postseason. Only 6 #8 seeds have successfully advanced to the second round of the playoffs, so the Magic are on the brink of making history if they are able to do so. They’ll have to do it without Franz Wagner, who once again did not play on Wednesday due to his lingering calf issue. Despite the 3-2 lead and home court advantage, the oddsmakers still have the Magic as underdogs going into Game 6.

I love what Charles Barkley said the other day on TV – Game 6 is basically Game 7 for the Orlando Magic. If they lose on Friday, it will be extremely difficult to bounce back and win on the road to eliminate the Pistons. A lot of people gave up on Detroit after they went down 3-1; I am not one of those people. I still expect them to advance here, especially if Cade plays like he did on Wednesday and the rest of his team follow his level of effort. Orlando got up 3-1 in this series while shooting a measly 38.7% in those four games, so it’s not like the Pistons defense isn’t doing its job. It might be an unpopular pick, but I believe we will have a Game 7 in this series. Give me the Pistons to cover

Pistons vs Magic Game 6 prediction: Detroit Pistons -3 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers hit the road for Scotiabank Arena in Toronto looking to push past the Raptors in Game 6, which would clinch the series and punch their ticket to the second round. So far, the home team has won every game outright in this series, and Toronto’s cover in Game 5 at Cleveland, a 125-120 win by the Cavs, is the only cover for a road team so far. Something’s gotta give here, though. We’re going to get a road team grab a win, and Cleveland should be able to finally push past pesky Toronto. It also doesn’t help the Raptors that Brandon Ingram is questionable to play due to right heel inflammation, while Immanuel Quickley remains sidelined due to a strained right hamstring. The Cavaliers have no such issues or notable injuries.

Fans and TV executives love to see a Game 7, but the Cavaliers are in good position to spoil that. This is a team that went 25-16 on the road during the regular season, while the Raptors were just 24-17 at home in the regular season. We should get ourselves a very close game, and one which has low scores, too. In Game 4, it was an ugly shooting performance for both teams, and the nerves should be back in Game 6, as Cleveland stresses about closing out the series while Toronto reaches desperation mode to stay alive.

Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 6 prediction: Under 220 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 217.5.

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The Los Angeles Lakers head to Houston for Game 6 holding a 3-2 series lead over the Houston Rockets, but the momentum has shifted after back-to-back Rockets wins. Game 5 was another grind-it-out battle, with Houston securing a 99-93 victory behind strong late-game execution and defensive pressure. LeBron James led L.A. with 25 points, while Austin Reaves added 22 — but the Lakers’ offense continued to sputter by shooting inefficiently from both the field and 3-point range. Turnovers have also been a major issue, disrupting their ability to find rhythm. Meanwhile, Houston has found success with a disciplined, physical approach — with Alperen Sengun playing a key role as a facilitator and interior presence, helping the Rockets control tempo and create balanced scoring opportunities.

Heading into Game 6, the stylistic outlook remains heavily tilted toward a slower, defensive battle. The Lakers, now under pressure to close out the series on the road, are unlikely to push pace given their recent offensive struggles — instead focusing on half-court execution and limiting mistakes. Houston, playing at home with a chance to force Game 7, will continue to lean into its defensive identity while emphasizing physicality and forcing Los Angeles into tough, contested looks. Both teams have struggled to find consistent perimeter shooting — and as playoff intensity increases, possessions tend to become more deliberate and contested. With neither side showing signs of offensive fluidity and both prioritizing control, this sets up as another low-scoring, methodical matchup. Even with slight offensive adjustments, the pace and structure point toward limited possessions and tight scoring margins.

Lakers vs Rockets Game 6 prediction: Under 205.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 204.

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Momentum is a powerful narrative, but it can also influence the price. Philadelphia deserves credit for extending this series, winning in Boston to avoid elimination in Game 5 as a double-digit underdog and then backing it up at home in Game 6 to force Game 7. Naturally, that has pulled bettors toward the underdog. But the number tells the real story. Despite 2 straight wins in this series, the 76ers are still catching a healthy number here — a clear indication the market hasn’t fully bought into the upset possibility in this series.

This is where situational context matters. Game 7s at home historically favor the better, deeper team, and Boston checks both boxes. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way, the Celtics have consistently shown a higher offensive ceiling and more lineup flexibility. Just 2 games ago, Philadelphia was a double-digit underdog facing elimination. The rosters haven’t changed — only perception has. Now, that shift is creating a discount on Boston in the most important game of the series. Expect a focused, high-intensity effort from the Celtics on their home floor — where execution and depth typically decide outcomes. But because of recent results, we get the C’s in a rare underlay. Take advantage.

76ers vs Celtics prediction: Boston -8 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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