Thursday night's NBA playoff doubleheader is shaping up to be a must-watch, and if you're looking to add some extra excitement, the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS has you covered. New users can unlock up to $1,500 in bonus bets—either $150 if your first bet wins or up to $1,500 if it loses. It's the perfect way to get in on the action without all the risk.
The night tips off at 7 p.m. ET with the Detroit Pistons hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by a 9:30 p.m. ET showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both home teams are looking to build on their Game 1 victories, and the SportsLine Projection Model—which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times—is backing them to cover the spread again. That means the Pistons (-3.5) and Thunder (-15.5) are the model's top picks for Thursday.
For the Pistons, Game 1 was a team effort. Cade Cunningham scored 23 points—his lowest in eight postseason games this year—but Detroit still cruised to a 10-point win thanks to 20 points from Tobias Harris and 19 from Duncan Robinson. The veteran Harris has been a steady force, averaging 13.3 points in the regular season but stepping up when it matters most. With all five starters and six total players scoring in double figures, the Pistons proved they're more than just a one-man show.
But the betting action doesn't stop with the NBA. The model also sees value in Thursday's MLB matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins, backing the Orioles as +105 underdogs with an over/under of 8.5 runs. If you combine all three picks into a single parlay at BetMGM, you're looking at a potential payout of +647 (risk $100 to win $647, odds subject to change).
The SportsLine Projection Model has been on fire this season, entering the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a 26-9 roll (74%) on top-rated spread picks. For $100 players, that's translated to over $10,000 in betting profit over the past eight-plus seasons. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to put the model's insights to work.
Ready to make your move? Use the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to claim your bonus bets and dive into Thursday's action. From the hardwood to the diamond, there's no shortage of opportunities to win big.