NBA Picks

The Atlanta Hawks will be looking to clinch an outright spot in the playoffs and avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Atlanta had a chance to accomplish that same feat against this same opponent on Wednesday but lost at Cleveland 122-116. The Hawks were +3.5 underdogs in that game but are now -6.5 favorites since they are playing at home and both Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are out for the Cavaliers. That’s too big of a shift for my liking, but I’m also unwilling to back Cleveland without Mitchell and Allen. Instead, I’ll pivot to the game total — my Cavaliers vs Hawks prediction is Over 233.5.

Allen’s absence will certainly hurt the visitors’ rim-protecting capabilities, which should open things up for Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu of the Hawks. Johnson was the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in March and has begun April with 4 consecutive double-doubles. Mitchell’s absence obviously diminishes the Cavs’ offense, but James Harden can pick up the slack. Harden is 9-for-21 from 3-point range over the past 2 contests. The over is 3-0 in Cleveland’s last three on the road, 8-5 in Atlanta’s last 13 overall and 3-1 in the last 4 head-to-head matchups. Look for those trends to continue.

Cavaliers vs Hawks prediction: Over 233.5 (-114) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

Now you can bet any of our Cavaliers vs Hawks predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can get up to $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 wager is a winner! Use this link 🔗 to join FanDuel right now and learn more.

The Hornets are still fighting to improve playoff positioning in the East, while Detroit has already locked up the top seed in the conference after clinching already. That difference matters in the final stretch of the regular season because Charlotte is playing for leverage, while Detroit’s biggest goals are already secured.

The Hornets are also playing some of their best basketball right now. Charlotte has been on absolute tear, they have gone 9-3 SU in their last 12 outings. No matter where the Hornets land in the Eastern Conference bracket, make no mistake, they are a threat. Stylistically, Charlotte’s offensive balance makes them dangerous too. The Hornets have multiple options to post double figures, and that kind of distributed scoring matters against Detroit’s physical defense because it prevents the Pistons from loading up on one creator. At home, with urgency and momentum, Charlotte gets the situational edge. Against a Detroit team with less at stake, the Hornets are the time to hop on here. They are favored for a reason.

Pistons vs Hornets prediction: Hornets -2.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to -3.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, check out bet365, the world’s #1 sportsbook. They have an amazing sign-up offer where you can INSTANTLY receive $200 in bonus bets from a $10 wager, regardless of whether that bet wins or loses! There’s no catch, it’s really that simple. Join Bet365 right now ⏰ in time to fade or follow our experts’ Pistons vs Hornets predictions.

The Miami Heat hit the road for the nation’s capital in this penultimate game of the regular season. Miami is locked into the play-in round, as it cannot go any higher than the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. With very little left to play for, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Miami take its foot off the gas, and perhaps even rest some key players for some or all of the game Friday, getting ready to make a run into the first round of the playoffs. The Heat are just 16-24 on the road this season, and they’re only 3-7 in the past 10 games, while losing the past 2 outings.

The Washington Wizards have long since been eliminated from postseason contention, and they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, 2 games back of the Indiana Pacers with 2 to play. At best, they’d tie for the worst record in the NBA. The Wizards are 11-29 at home, and they’ve dropped 8 in a row. However, they covered as  17.5-point underdogs at Miami on April 4, falling 152-136. It is also a respectable 6-5 ATS in the past 11 games as a double-digit underdog. Let’s back Washington lightly at home.

Heat vs Wizards prediction: Washington Wizards +17.5 (-110) at time of publishing. Playable to +16.5.

You can bet on our Heat vs Wizards pick with BetMGM, where right now new users can activate your new BetMGM account ⚡ and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $10+ wager is a winner!

The Pels just ended their 8-game losing streak with a massive 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz. With not much to play for, they’ve basically coasted the last couple of months of the regular season. With 2 games left, they can play the spoilers role if they wanted to. They head to TD Garden on Friday for a date with the Celtics, a team that’s beaten them in the last 9 meetings overall and in 6 of the last 7 in Boston. These days, it’s really hard to figure out which Pelicans team will start the game, as they have a total of 7 players on the injury report — which includes most of their top guns.

Boston comes into this one after a disappointing showing at MSG last night, where they lost to the Knicks 112-106. Jayson Tatum didn’t have the most efficient of games, going just 7-for-22, while Jaylen Brown took the night off. The #2 seed isn’t secured just yet, as Boston needs at least 1 more win the remaining 2 games to do that. Playing with no rest against a fast-paced Pelicans team won’t be ideal, but the Cs do have a positive 7-5 SU record in 12 games played in this scenario. It’s unclear if Brown will play here as he tries to recover from his Achilles issue, but the Celtics might not even need him against one of the worst teams in the West.

The spread has been set at a very high 16.5 points, and I normally wouldn’t hesitate to back the Celtics covering that. However, they’re playing with no rest after a tough loss to a direct competitor, and they could also be without Brown for yet another game. The numbers tell us that the under is a far more likely scenario here. That bet has cashed 7 times in 10 meetings with an average of 220 points scored. New Orleans has cashed on that bet 10 times in 14 games, while the Celtics have done so in 13 of their last 20. The first meeting saw just 212 points scored, so let’s stick with the trends and back the under.

Pelicans vs Celtics prediction: Under 224.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

Now you can bet any of our Pelicans vs Celtics predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can get up to $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 wager is a winner! Use this link 🔗 to join FanDuel right now and learn more.

The Philadelphia 76ers face the Indiana Pacers in a matchup between 2 teams heading in opposite directions late in the season. Philadelphia enters at 43-37 and is pushing to solidify playoff positioning, while Indiana sits at 19-61 and continues to struggle, particularly on the defensive end. The Pacers allow 121.8 points per game, one of the highest marks in the league, and have consistently been involved in lopsided games against stronger opponents. While Indiana still plays at a fast pace and averages 113.9 points per game, their defensive inefficiency has made it difficult to stay competitive, especially against structured teams.

Philadelphia comes in with a clear advantage on both ends of the floor, led by Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 28.3 points per game and continues to carry the offensive load. The 76ers average 115.9 points per game and have been more effective defensively than Indiana, particularly in half-court settings where they can control tempo. Recent matchups for Indiana have shown difficulty slowing down high-level scorers, and this sets up well for Maxey and Philadelphia’s offense to generate consistent looks. Additionally, the Pacers have struggled to keep games close, with several recent losses coming by double digits due to defensive breakdowns and poor transition defense. With Philadelphia playing for playoff positioning and Indiana unable to contain efficient offenses, this matchup projects as a one sided game. Given the gap in defensive efficiency, scoring consistency, and overall team structure, the 76ers are in a strong position to control this game from start to finish.

76ers vs Pacers Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -15 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable to -15.5.

You can bet on our 76ers vs Pacers pick at DraftKings Sportsbook, which has thousands of betting options available and a great new customer offer where you can get $300 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $5 bet is a winner! Click here 👈🏼 to sign up for a DraftKings account now.

The Toronto Raptors hit the road for New York City to tangle with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Toronto has lost 12 in a row in this series, last winning January 22, 2023 in Toronto as a -1 favorite. The last victory at MSG came on January 16, 2023, a 123-121 OT win as a +1.5 underdog. It hasn’t won in New York in regulation since December 21, 2022, so it’s been a hot minute. Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley were starting for the Knicks that night, as well as Isaiah Hartenstein. The latter is now in OKC, Quickley is now in Toronto and Randle is part of the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, things have changed a lot since.

The Knicks have won 4 in a row, while covering the past 3 outings. The under is 5-2 in the past 7 games, too. New York is trying to hang onto the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference, a full game above the Cleveland Cavaliers with 2 to play. The Raptors are trying to hold off the Atlanta Hawks, as those teams are tied at 45-35 with 2 to play. If the Knicks are the #3, and the Raptors slip to the #6, this would potentially be a playoff preview for the first round. That’s bad news for Toronto, who just cannot seem to solve New York.

The under is 3-1 in the past 4 games for the Raps, while the under has cashed in 4 straight meetings and 6 of the past 8. Let’s go low on what should feel like a playoff game, and consider New York laying the points if you’re looking for an SGP based on its dominance in the series.

Raptors vs Knicks prediction: Under 219 (-110) at time of publishing. Playable to 218.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook. New users can get $200 in FanCash INSTANTLY after making their first $20 bet, no matter what! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Raptors vs Knicks predictions.

With only a couple days left in the regular season, some NBA teams are playing their final games before ramping up for the postseason tournament. The Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks will not be 2 of those teams. Both the Nets and Bucks will finish their season near the bottom of the leagues rankings, and will hope for a high draft pick in the upcoming lottery. The Nets have lost 13 of their last 16 games, and are only 8-31 on the road overall. The Bucks have lost 10 of their last 12 games, but have managed to go 18-22 at home this season. Furthermore, they won 2 of their last 3 on their home floor.

In prerparation for next season, each team will have a lot of players on the floor that most people may not recognize. Ryan Rollins and AJ Green have still been playing good minutes for Milwaukee, creating a young and exciting backcourt. Rollins has averaged 22 points per game in his last 10 games, while Green has averaged 12.8 points per game and 46% shooting from deep in his last 10. The Nets will be led by former Ohio State alum E.J. Liddell and guard Ben Saraf.

There have been a handful of teams late in the season that have been tanking; the Nets and Bucks have both been a part of that group. However, this is a good opportunity for the young guys to prove their worth in the league. With tonight being the Bucks’ final home game, they will want to end the year on a good note in front of their hometown fans. With motivation present versus a team that honestly does not want to win this basketball game, the Bucks should be able to provide a good showing tonight against the lowly Nets. 

Nets vs Bucks prediction: Milwaukee Bucks -9.5 is available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook. New users can get $200 in FanCash INSTANTLY after making their first $20 bet, no matter what! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Nets vs Bucks predictions.

The Dallas Mavericks meet the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. San Antonio is looking to complete the regular-season series sweep, winning the first 3 games by at least 12 points. The average margin of victory in the first 3 games is 18.3 points per game, and San Antonio has won and covered 4 straight in this series by at least 10 points. Dallas has long since checked out on this series, working toward building for the future. The Mavs have dropped 5 of the past 6 games, although they did surprise the playoff-bound Lakers on April 5, 134-128 as a +1.5 underdog. That was a shorthanded L.A. team, though. The Mavs are just 2-4 ATS in the past 6 outings.

For the Spurs, they’re locked into the #2 spot in the Western Conference, and they have an 8.4-point differential on the season, 2nd in the NBA behind #1 seed and defending champion Oklahoma City (+12.1). The Spurs are 31-7 at home this season, while the Mavericks are just 10-29 on the road. Dallas’ -5.7 point differential is the 3rd-worst margin in the Western Conference, too. Look for San Antonio to maintain its mastery in this series, finishing strong in this penultimate game of the regular season, before what they hope is a long postseason begins.

Mavericks vs Spurs prediction: San Antonio Spurs -18.5 (-110) at time of publishing. Playable to that number.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook. New users can get $200 in FanCash INSTANTLY after making their first $20 bet, no matter what! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Mavs vs Spurs predictions.

The Orlando Magic face the Chicago Bulls in a matchup that strongly favors Orlando due to both performance and scheduling factors. The Magic average 116.6 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and allow 114.9, giving them a positive scoring margin and consistent edge against weaker teams. Their balanced approach on both ends has allowed them to control tempo and generate efficient looks, and they have already defeated Chicago earlier this season in a 125-120 win.

Chicago enters in a difficult spot on the second night of a back-to-back, which has been a major issue for them. The Bulls allow 122.3 points per game, one of the worst defensive marks in the league, and struggle to contain efficient offenses, especially when fatigued. While they average 118.8 points per game, their defensive inconsistency and lack of discipline make it difficult to sustain success against structured teams like Orlando. With a clear rest advantage, stronger defensive profile, and more consistent execution, the Magic are in position to control this game and pull away.

Magic vs Bulls prediction: Orlando Magic -15 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to -16.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, check out bet365, the world’s #1 sportsbook. They have an amazing sign-up offer where you can INSTANTLY receive $200 in bonus bets from a $10 wager, regardless of whether that bet wins or loses! There’s no catch, it’s really that simple. Join Bet365 right now ⏰ in time to fade or follow our experts’ Magic vs Bulls predictions.

After a long battle with the San Antonio Spurs, the OKC Thunder have finally secured the #1 seed in the Western Conference. OKC’s win over the Clippers was their 7th in a row, as the lead is now 3 games ahead of the Spurs with just 2 games remaining. That likely means the Thunder will rest most of their key players in order to get ready for the postseason. It’s exactly what this team needs following a season of uncertainty on the injury front. Although they are one of the deepest teams in the league, the oddsmakers still have them as double-digit underdogs on Friday against the Nuggets. They’ve covered just twice in 8 meetings against this team and only once in 5 visits to Ball Arena.

For the Nuggets, this game means everything, as they are still not 100% safe in the #3 seed. The good news is they control their own destiny, and if they can win the remaining 2 games, they’ll finish 3rd and face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Jokic and company have won 10 games in a row, which is the longest active win streak in the NBA. Although the defense has not performed up to the level their fans hoped it would, this team has absolutely destroyed opponents on the offensive end during this win streak. Denver has posted an offensive rating of 128.2 in the last 10 games, that’s 3.1 points more than the Thunder, who are in 2nd.

The Nuggets’ Net Rating during the win streak is at 9.6 points, and they’ll look to take out their frustrations on this team after OKC took the first 3 meetings of the season earlier. They too have a bunch of players on the injury report, but with everything still left to play for, I think we’ll see a full lineup from Denver here. Back the home team.

Thunder vs Nuggets prediction: Nuggets -10.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

You can bet on our Thunder vs Nuggets pick at DraftKings Sportsbook, which has thousands of betting options available and a great new customer offer where you can get $300 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $5 bet is a winner! Click here 👈🏼 to sign up for a DraftKings account now.

The last 2 games that the Memphis Grizzlies have played have cleared the combined 250-point mark. The same can be said for the Utah Jazz, who will host tonight’s meeting. Both are currently tied in a win column with another team in the Western Conference, so neither will be desperate to throw their star players out and decrease their NBA lottery odds. As a result, expect extensive injury reports from both and young lineups on both sides. This will also be the 3rdr meeting between these teams this season and 2 of them have comfortably cleared the 250-point mark. Do not be surprised to see more of the same here.

Over the last 10 games, these teams have been the worst at getting stops in the NBA, ranking 29th and 30th in defensive rating. The Jazz have been playing at the fastest pace in the league during that stretch too, while the Grizzlies are in the top 10 in that category. It is a combination of factors that should have this feeling more like an All-Star game. The lack of floor time together for the units these teams will put out should continue to ensure poor defensive production. The Jazz have also been allowing teams to make 39.6% of their three-pointers during that stretch. With the Grizzlies in the top 5 of the league in attempts from deep during that time, they will be able to do damage from the perimeter here. Back the over as a result.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Utah Jazz prediction: Over 248.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to over 249.5.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, check out bet365, the world’s #1 sportsbook. They have an amazing sign-up offer where you can INSTANTLY receive $200 in bonus bets from a $10 wager, regardless of whether that bet wins or loses! There’s no catch, it’s really that simple. Join Bet365 right now ⏰ in time to fade or follow our experts’ Grizzlies vs Jazz predictions.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets will go head-to-head in a sequel to their wild matchup back on March 25th in Minnesota when he Timberwolves won 110-108 in overtime. This game included the Timberwolves blowing a double-digit lead in regulation, the Rockets then blowing a double-digit lead in overtime and it all ending with a Julius Randle game-winner. The Timberwolves may be without Randle tonight –he is listed as questionable with a hand injury — but Minnesota should have Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert back in the lineup after missing time. The Timberwolves have struggled down the stretch without their star guard, losing 5 of their last 7 games. Their recent struggles has locked them into the #6 seed for the postseason with no possibility of moving up or down.

The Timberwolves will still want to get back in sync before the postseason. A team they could potentially play is the Rockets, as Houston currently sits 1 game behind the #3 Denver Nuggets in the West. The Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season right now, winning their last 8 games. There are still concerns around Houston’s lack of point guard and their bench as the postseason arrives, and their lack of depth showed in their last game against the 76ers. Houston got out to a 90-54 lead when they pulled their starters out of the game. The Rockets bench then proceeded to allow the 76ers back in the contest, with the lead getting all the way down to 5 points. Kevin Durant and the starters had to rejoin the game to finish off yesterday’s contest, which could add to tired legs tonight.

Both the Rockets and Timberwolves are top defensive teams in the NBA in rating and points allowed. With Gobert back in the lineup, the Timberwolves should once again be able to control the paint and force difficult shots. Both of these teams are also bottom 10 in pace, leaning more on their half-court sets. The total was similar in their previous matchup and that game went under even with overtime. With a potentially new rivalry brewing, I expect the defensive effort to be up again tonight and number of possessions to be low.

Timberwolves vs Rockets prediction: Under 222 is available at the time of publishing. Playable at 220.

Bet like a Caesar with this AMAZING new customer offer from Caesars Sportsbook, where you can receive DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS on 10 straight wagers after making your first $1 bet! Become a Caesars member 👥 using the Caesars promo code PWCONTENT250BM, where you can bet on our Timberwolves vs Rockets picks.

This will be the 2nd straight game for the Sacramento Kings against the Golden State Warriors, with the latter coming away with a 5-point win in the first. While action will be swinging back to Sacramento for this one, they may find themselves up against a stronger Warriors team, as Steve Kerr has talked recently about building momentum ahead of the play-in. The likes of Stephen Curry, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis did not play last night in their loss to the Loss Angeles Lakers but should be available for this game. With DeMar DeRozan likely to remain out for the hosts, that increased offensive production will be tough to match.

The Kings are currently tied with the Utah Jazz for the worst record in the Western Conference, and winning here is unlikely to help with their lottery positioning. The Warriors, on the other hand, are a different proposition when Curry takes to the floor. They have won over 58% of the games he has played in. Had he been healthy all season, he would have this team competing with for the #6 seed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. With so little time to get their core up to scratch, I do not seem them taking any possessions off here, which is a dangerous thing for a Kings team 27th in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Back the Warriors to cover the spread and pick up a double-digit win.

Warriors vs Kings prediction: Golden State Warriors -10.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to Warriors -11.5.

Now you can bet any of our Warriors vs Kings predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can get up to $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 wager is a winner! Use this link 🔗 to join FanDuel right now and learn more.

The Los Angeles Clippers (41–39) and Portland Trail Blazers (40–40) square off Friday night in a crucial Western Conference play in seeding battle, with both teams jockeying for positioning and momentum entering the final stretch of the regular season. The Clippers come in slightly ahead in the standings after winning 7 of their last 10 games, with Kawhi Leonard leading a more balanced and efficient offensive approach that has helped stabilize late-season inconsistency. Portland has also been competitive down the stretch, especially at home, where they’ve been more reliable in recent weeks behind strong two-way play from Deni Avdija and interior defense anchored by Donovan Clingan. Both teams have shown the ability to grind out wins, but neither has been consistently explosive offensively, especially in high pressure matchups.

This matchup profiles as a slower, more physical game given recent trends and roster limitations. Portland continues to deal with offensive absences, forcing them into a more deliberate half-court style that leans heavily on defensive effort and controlled possessions. The Clippers, while more talented on paper, have also leaned into slower tempos on the road and are comfortable executing in late game half-court situations. Recent head-to-head meetings between these teams have trended tight and low-scoring, with defensive stretches dictating flow more than transition pace. With playoff positioning on the line and both teams prioritizing efficiency over pace, possessions should be limited and scoring runs harder to come by.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers Prediction: Under 226.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 225.

You can bet on our Clippers vs Blazers pick with BetMGM, where right now new users can activate your new BetMGM account ⚡ and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $10+ wager is a winner!

The Phoenix Suns are in an interesting position ahead of Friday’s game against the Lakers. They will finish 7th in the West regardless of how their last 2 games end, so it’ll be interesting to see whether they decide to rest key players here. Devin Booker has already been ruled out, but there is a chance we get to see Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks out there. Phoenix won 3 of the 4 meetings this season, and they are now 5-2 SU in 7 games against LA. However, in games played at Crypto.com Arena, they’ve won only twice in 8 visits.

LeBron and company just celebrated a massive win at Golden State last night, which kept them in the #4 seed. They have the edge in head-to-head meetings over the Rockets, so if both teams win their last 2 games, they’ll keep home court advantage in that matchup. LeBron scored 26 pts and dished out 11 assists in last night’s win, and he received massive help from Deandre Ayton — who had 21 on an impressive 9-for-11 shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot 61% from the field and 55% from three, but they did all that against a Warriors team that was without Stephen Curry.

We don’t really know which Suns team will show up here, but what we do know is that the Lakers will play their hearts out to get a win. Their fate is in their own hands, and they’re playing their last 2 games at home with the Utah Jazz coming to town on Sunday. This might be the game of the season for the Lakers; I think LeBron James once again turns back the clock and brings another big win for the purple and gold. Take the Lakers.

Suns vs Lakers prediction: LA Lakers ML (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.

You can bet on our Suns vs Lakers pick with BetMGM, where right now new users can activate your new BetMGM account ⚡ and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $10+ wager is a winner!