Wednesday sees a total of 18 teams in action on a 9-game NBA slate on April Fool’s Day. We can only hope none of the teams pull a practical joke on us, as we try to make the most out of tonight’s matchups. ESPN’s double-header tips off at 7:30 pm ET as the Celtics visit the Heat, while the Spurs and Warriors close out the night at 10:00 pm ET.
My NBA best bets for Wednesday, April 1 are ready and available below. Let’s break down each prediction, while you can also check out our expert NBA picks for Wednesday’s slate and every game through the entire regular season and postseason.
76ers vs Wizards NBA best bet: 76ers -16 (-110)
Philadelphia cannot afford to relax, as it is still very much in the running to make the postseason directly instead of through the play-in tournament. The 76ers’ Big 3 is finally back and playing, and against the Wizards they have lost just once in 11 games and have covered 4 times in 5 meetings.
Read our full 76ers vs Wizards prediction
Hawks vs Magic NBA best bet: Hawks -4.5 (-106)
Atlanta is by far the more consistent team, having won 16 of 18 games. The Magic recovered from that embarrassing 52-point loss to Toronto with a win over Phoenix, but even in that game they had 25 turnovers and were lucky to win. Atlanta has won all 3 meetings so far this season, so let’s back it to complete the sweep in style.
Read our full Hawks vs Magic prediction
Celtics vs Heat NBA best bet: Payton Pritchard 3+ made threes (-125)
Miami ranks second in threes allowed to opposing PGs this season and ninth overall for threes allowed as a team. Pritchard went off for 24 points in the most recent meeting between the 2 sides and also connected on all 4 three-point attempts. He has cleared this line in 6 of the last 10 games. I feel very good about him continuing this impressive run.
Read our full Celtics vs Heat prediction
Knicks vs Grizzlies NBA best bet: Grizzlies +14.5 (-110)
Can the Knicks to anything good right now? They just lost their third straight by double-digits, and they are playing with no rest on Wednesday in Memphis. The Grizzlies aren’t in the best of form, themselves, but trusting the Knicks to win by 15 points after such a poor run of form is not something I can do.
Read our full Knicks vs Grizzlies prediction
Kings vs Raptors NBA best bet: RJ Barrett 2+ made threes (-135)
The Raptors need to get Barrett going, as they ramp up their play for the postseason. The last 6 meetings have seen Barrett average 24.8 points, and there’s something about the Kings that gets them going when he plays against them.
Read our full Kings vs Raptors prediction
Pacers vs Bulls NBA best bet: Pacers +5 (-112)
Neither side will be too thrilled to get the win, but I have to give the edge to Indiana. The Pacers have pretty much owned the Bulls over the past couple of seasons going 6-1 ATS/SU in 7 meetings. I just hope they don’t rest all of their key players here, but then again so could the Bulls. Backing the Pacers and the extra points just makes more sense to me.
Read our full Pacers vs Bulls prediction
Bucks vs Rockets NBA best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-125)
KD has been automatic lately, clearing this line 7 times in 10 games. The last 2 meetings with the Bucks saw him go off for 31 and 38 points. He is averaging exactly 30 per game in the last 10 meetings. With both teams playing on a back-to-back, we could see a closer game than expected — which should hopefully mean Durant carries the Rockets’ offense.
Read our full Bucks vs Rockets prediction
Nuggets vs Jazz NBA best bet: Christian Braun Over 10.5 points (-112)
Recent meetings have seen a ton of points scored between the Nuggets and Jazz. I’m hoping that’s the case in Wednesday’s game, as well. Christian Braun is the one guy to keep an eye on here — he has cleared this line 9 times in 10 games. The Jazz rank first in points allowed to opposing shooting guards this season, and they also allow the most points as a team. Braun has surpassed this number 8 times in 14 meetings, as well. We’re getting pretty solid odds for a bet that lands more often than not.
Read our full Nuggets vs Jazz prediction
Spurs vs Warriors NBA best bet: Spurs -13.5 (-110)
Wemby and company are winning games by an average of 18 points during this 9-game winning streak. The alien just went off for 41 points and 16 rebounds in just 31 minutes of play against Chicago, the Warriors will struggle to find answers for him. Without Stephen Curry, this probably won’t be a competitive game for long. I’ll take the Spurs despite the big spread.
Read our full Spurs vs Warriors prediction
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