Sunday marks the end of the NBA regular season, and for this occasion, we have another 15-game slate with all 30 teams in action. The league has decided to split this slate into 2 start times, one at 6:00 PM ET and the other wave of games at 8:30 PM ET. There’s still a handful of teams looking to move up the standings on the final day, so it promises to be another exciting day for all hoop heads around the world!
I’ve done a deep analysis of all 15 matchups so you don’t have to, and I’ve come up with my NBA best bets for every single game with odds courtesy of FanDuel. Don’t forget to check out our NBA Picks on this massive 15-game slate and through the playoffs, but for now, let’s take a closer look into my Sunday best bets.
Bucks vs 76ers Best Bet: 76ers -16 (-110)
The #7 seed is still very much in play for the 76ers, who have to beat the Bucks and hope the Orlando Magic lose against the Celtics. The lottery-bound Bucks don’t stand a chance here, as the Sixers have beaten them in all 3 meetings this year.
Pistons vs Pacers Best Bet: Pistons -13 (-106)
Despite locking up the #1 seed, the Pistons are still playing like there’s something at stake. That’s mainly due to their leader Cade Cunningham just returning from a 3-week layoff, as he’s looking to regain form and momentum in these remaining few games. I think Detroit takes this game seriously and tops the struggling Pacers one last time for their 60th win of the season.
Wizards vs Cavaliers Best Bet: Over 238.5 (-110)
Cleveland will finish 4th regardless of how this matchup pans out, so I’d expect them to give their reserves more playing time Sunday. Even a weakened lineup should put up points on the Wizards though, as Washington is just atrocious on the defensive end.
Hawks vs Heat Best Bet: Hawks -6.5 (-110)
A win guarantees Atlanta remains 5th, with a first-round playoff matchup against the Cavaliers. They’re the more consistent team here, as Miami has had a really poor couple months — plummeting down from a top-6 position to the #10 seed and a play-in situation.
Magic vs Celtics Best Bet: Magic -4 (-114)
The Magic still have everything to play for here; they could even finish 6th if they beat Boston and the Raptors lose their last game against Brooklyn. Boston is safe in 2nd, so I expect to see a slightly different starting unit from the one that normally plays.
Hornets vs Knicks Best Bet: Hornets -8.5 (-110)
Charlotte cannot afford to mess around here. A loss combined with a Miami win pushes them back to the #10 seed, which would see them lose home-court advantage in the matchup against Miami. It’s only fair after the turnaround they had this season that they finish 9th and get a playoff atmosphere against the Heat in the play-in game.
Nets vs Raptors Best Bet: Nets +19 (-110)
The Raptors are currently 6th, which means a first round matchup against the Knick — a team that’s beaten them in dominant fashion 5 times this season already. Call me crazy, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raptors did some maneuvering here and tried to avoid this matchup, even at the cost of falling into the play-in tournament.
Jazz vs Lakers Best Bet: Lakers -17 (-110)
The good news for the Lakers is that they cannot fall below the #4 seed heading into the final day. However, they could move up if they win and the Nuggets lose to OKC. Either way, I still think they’ll dominate the lowly Jazz even without Luka and Reaves.
Grizzlies vs Rockets Best Bet: Over 227.5 (-110)
This is a matchup in which everything has already been decided, so do not expect to see any of the Rockets star players. The defenses might also take the night off, so the intensity of this game won’t be at a high level. Those factors lead me to the over.
Suns vs Thunder Best Bet: Thunder -6.5 (-114)
I really like the Thunder reserves a lot here. Phoenix struggled mightily to score the ball in their last game, falling to the Lakers 101-73. They’re locked into the #7 seed, and I see them being set on the playoffs rather than being interested in this game.
Nuggets vs Spurs Best Bet: Nuggets +5 (-108)
Denver rested everyone and still topped OKC easily in their last game. In theory, the Nuggets could lose if they wanted to face Houston in the first round (assuming the Lakers beat Utah), but I don’t think that’ll be the plan. San Antonio is likely to rest players given that they have already clinched the #2 seed.
Bulls vs Mavericks Best Bet: Mavericks -6.5 (-114)
How about another win for the Mavs and a big game from Cooper Flagg to boost his Rookie of the Year award case? That’s exactly what I’m expecting to happen on the final day of the regular season against an unmotivated Chicago Bulls team. Dallas has 4 wins in 5 meetings, as well.
Warriors vs Clippers Best Bet: Clippers -9 (-110)
LA can still move up to 8th if the Trail Blazers slip up against the Kings at home. Golden State has been locked into the #10 seed for a while, so their main focus is to be as healthy as possible for the 9 vs 10 play-in game, which could very well be against the Clippers.
Pelican vs Timberwolves Best Bet: Timberwolves -10.5 (-112)
Minnesota just got Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards back from their injuries, and they just beat a strong Rockets team on the road. I think they go into this game with a winning mindset, as both of those players are trying to regain some of the form they had prior to their injuries.
Kings vs Trail Blazers Best Bet: Trail Blazers -16.5 (-110)
This is a historic chance for Portland. If they beat the Kings, they remain 8th and get two cracks at making the postseason, which would be the first time they made it there since 2021. I don’t think they let this slip away against a weak Kings squad.
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