NBA betting: Four bets that stand out for Monday's playoff games

Monday's NBA playoff slate features a doubleheader on ESPN, beginning with the Boston Celtics visiting the New York Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Celtics are down 2-1 in the series but are favored on Monday night and are the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will take on the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET in the second game of the night. Minnesota holds a 2-1 series lead and is a -800 favorite to move on.

The NBA champion-favorite Oklahoma City Thunder will resume their series with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday looking to break a 2-2 series stalemate.

The Indiana Pacers will be at home with a chance to eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their series Tuesday.

What can we expect from the action? Here are the bets we're looking at in Monday'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 5.5 assists (-140)

Tatum hasn't been lethal as a scorer in this series, but he has been the Celtics' top distributor, leading in passes per game. He has cleared this line in two of three games and is averaging 13.3 potential assists per game in 41.6 minutes. That volume puts him in a strong spot to hit this line again, even with Boston's shaky shot selection. Last postseason, the Celtics attacked with purpose, creating advantages on nearly every possession. This time around, they've struggled to read the defense and make the right play once that advantage is created. I believe they'll be better in this area in Game 4. -- Eric Moody

Julius Randle over 20.5 points (-125)

Randle continues to exploit a Warriors team lacking size and rim protection. He has cleared this line in back-to-back games, with 17 or more field-goal attempts in both. As Minnesota's No. 2 option behind Anthony Edwards, Randle should stay aggressive as the Timberwolves look to take a commanding 3-1 lead. -- Moody

TImberwolves-Warriors under 200.5 total points (-110)

These are two of the best defenses in the NBA, and with Stephen Curry injured, the Warriors aren't nearly as good of an offense. Even with Curry, the Warriors combined with their first-round opponent, the Rockets, to score under 200 total points in three of their seven games. In this series, the Warriors and Timberwolves have gone under 200 points in two of their three games. With the Warriors at home and playing to even the series, I look for another high-intensity, defensive battle in Game 4 where it will be difficult for either team to get to triple figures. -- André Snellings

Karl-Anthony Towns over 12.5 rebounds (+105)

Towns has grabbed double-digit rebounds in five straight games, averaging 14.2 RPG over that stretch. He has been even more dominant as a rebounder in this series, with at least 13 boards in all three games while averaging 15 RPG. With Kristaps Porzingis ailing and playing fewer minutes than usual, the Celtics don't have enough size to keep Towns off the boards. As long as he stays out of foul trouble, Towns is likely to continue to clean the glass tonight. -- Snellings

Projections and injury reports

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

All times ET.

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. on ESPN

Line: Celtics -6.5 (EVEN) | Knicks +6.5 (-120)
Money line: Celtics -240 | Knicks +200
Total: 208.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 0.9, straight up 53%, 214.2 total points.

Injury Report:
Celtics: Sam Hauser, (GTD - Ankle)
Knicks: None reported

Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. on ESPN

Line: Timberwolves -5.5 (-105) | Warriors +5.5 (-115)
Money line: Timberwolves -210 | Warriors +175
Total: 200.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 2.3, straight up 58%, 211.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Timberwolves: None reported
Warriors: Stephen Curry, (OUT - Hamstring)