NBA Against the Spread Picks & Predictions Today: Best Bets for Friday, May 9

Philip Wood makes his favorite against the spread picks and predictions ahead of today's NBA playoffs slate.

Philip Wood

Last updated: May 9, 2025 10:00 AM EDT • 3 min read

NBA Predictions Against the Spread Today: Expert ATS Picks for Friday, May 9 — Pictured: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) goes up for a basket against the Denver Nuggets. Photo by Alonzo Adams via Imagn Images.

There are two NBA playoff games tonight, as we make the best NBA picks and predictions against the spread. The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a must-win game against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead, and teams that fall behind 3-0 are 0-159 all time.

In the second game of the night, the Denver Nuggets will attempt to put a horrible Game 2 behind them and take a 2-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. are favored by 5.5 points on the road.

🏀 Best NBA predictions against the spread today: Friday, May 9

✅ Cavaliers (-3.5) vs. Pacers (-108 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐✅ Thunder (-5.5) vs. Nuggets (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

💰 NBA ATS picks & best bets for Friday

🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!

🔥 Cavaliers (-3.5) vs. Pacers ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Cavaliers may be down 2-0, but they dominated much of Game 2. They took the lead midway through the first quarter, then saw the margin swell to 20 by the midpoint of the third ... and then they collapsed. Cleveland led by seven with less than a minute remaining, but somehow lost a second straight to open the series

The Cavaliers were clearly the better team in Game 2, and that was without many key players. They are expected to get De’Andre Hunter back tonight after he missed Game 2, and there is a chance Evan Mobley and Darius Garland play too. The Cavaliers win this game with Hunter, and with all three, they blow the Pacers out.

✅ Best odds: -108 via FanDuel (bet $10 to win $9.26 profit)

Bet $5, Win $200 in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Min. deposit $5+. Bet $5+ and win $200 in Bonus Bets, if your bet wins (within 72 hours). Bet does not have to win in AZ, CO, KS, NC, or TN.

Claim $200

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

🔥 Thunder (-5.5) vs. Nuggets ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Thunder’s 149-106 Game 2 victory was a sign of things to come in this series. The Nuggets stole Game 1 after trailing by nearly 10 points for the majority of the game. The Thunder responded by putting together one of the most impressive postseason performances. This game is being played in Denver, but that won’t matter.

The Nuggets have the worst scoring defense of any team left in the postseason. The Thunder have seven players who averaged double figures in the regular season, so Denver won’t be able to get enough stops to keep this close, even if Nikola Jokic is much better than he was in Game 2.

✅ Best odds: -110 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $9.09 profit)

Up To $1,500 First Bet

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Claim $1,500

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

💡 More NBA expert picks

💵 Best NBA betting sites

Ready to bet on the NBA playoffs? Check out the best NBA betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:

Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written By:
Philip Wood

Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.