NBA betting: Four bets that stand out for Monday's Game 1s

A pair of NBA playoff semifinals series begin Monday. First the Boston Celtics (-8.5, 212.5) host the New York Knicks in what is expected to be a tough, physical series. Then, a pair of leading MVP candidates face off as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (-9.5, 226.5) play Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

Here are some of the bets that stand out for tonight's games.

Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET

Bets that stand out for Monday

Jayson Tatum over 42.5 total points, rebounds and assists (-120)

The Knicks have had no answer for Tatum this season. In four games against the Knicks, Tatum averaged 33.5 PPG, 7.0 APG and 6.8 RPG (total 47.3 P+R+A). He had at least 44 total P+R+A in all four games. Tatum did hurt his wrist last series, but he has had almost two weeks since the injury, and in the three games since he averaged 36.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 5.7 APG (52.0 P+R+A). -- Snellings

Russell Westbrook over 16.5 total points and rebounds (-110)

Westbrook gets his second-straight series against a former team, this time against the Thunder squad where he began his career and won his MVP award. Westbrook has played extremely well down the stretch and into the playoffs, averaging 14.2 PPG and 4.6 RPG (18.8 P+R) in his last 14 games with at least 16.5 P+R in 11 of the 14 games. Westbrook played at least 31 minutes in three of his four games against the Thunder this season. In those three games, the three most recent matchups this season, he averaged 16.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG (23.6 P+R). -- Snellings

Josh Hart over 25.5 points, rebounds and assists (-125)

Hart is a versatile contributor who cleared this line in five of six games against the Pistons in Round 1, playing 35+ minutes in five of them, averaging an impressive 19.5 rebound chances per game. He's gone over this line in 83% of games this season when playing at least 35 minutes and has hit it in three of four matchups against the Celtics. With Boston's defense likely keying in on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, Hart is well-positioned to take advantage in Game 1. -- Moody

Christian Braun over 1.5 total three-pointers (+160)

This plus-odds bet immediately caught my attention. The Thunder were one of the league's top defenses in the regular season, and that's carried into the playoffs. Oklahoma City will focus on containing Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, which could leave Braun with open looks from beyond the arc -- especially since the Thunder are so effective at limiting scoring in the paint. Braun has cleared this line in three of four games against OKC this season. -- Moody

Projections and injury reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

All times ET.

New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
7 p.m.

Line: Knicks +9.5 (-115) | Celtics -9.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Knicks +340 | Celtics -450
Total: 212.5 (-112 O, -102 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 5.5, straight up 68%, 215.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Knicks: None reported
Celtics: None reported

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder
9:30 p.m.

Line: Nuggets +9.5 (EVEN) | Thunder -9.5 (-115)
Money line: Nuggets +340 | Thunder -450
Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -104 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 8.4, straight up 75%, 229.7 total points.

Injury Report:
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OFS - Achilles)
Thunder: Ousmane Dieng, (GTD - Calf); Nikola Topic, (OFS - Knee)