Filip Tomic
Show Bio
Easter Sunday brings us an exciting 10-game slate in the NBA, with a NBA TV double-header starting as early as 3.30 pm ET. After cashing on all 3 of our spread predictions yesterday, I’m also aiming to cap off the weekend with an NBA Mega Parlay winner here. As usual, I’ve opted for a total of 3 teams in my bet, continue reading below to see who made it in.
Check out our NBA picks page for predictions on the side and total for the rest of Sunday’s action.
Now let’s dive into my bet.
LA Lakers -5.5 (-108)
DAL Mavericks -2 (-110)
CHI Bulls ML (+275)
Parlay odds: +832
LA Lakers -5.5 over BKN Nets (-108)
The Lakers’ run of 5 wins in a row came to an abrupt end as they lost 109-90 at Indiana on Friday. Thankfully there’s a short turnaround in between games and they have a chance to bounce back against a sub-par Nets team here. Brooklyn did win the first meeting in LA 130-112, so there’s also the revenge factor to consider here.
The biggest reason why they lost to Indiana on Friday was their three-point shooting as they finished the game with just 5 threes. I doubt they can shoot that poorly from downtown in back-to-back games, especially since the Nets rank just 23rd in opponent three-point percentage this season (37.3%). Brooklyn is also just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs West teams and 4-8 ATS/SU over their last 12 overall. I’m taking the road team to cover here.
DAL Mavericks -2 over HOU Rockets (-110)
One win streak will have to end today. The Dallas Mavericks carry their run of 6 straight wins into Houston has they face a red-hot Rockets team that’s triumphed in 11 games in a row. The two teams are also locked at 1-1 in their regular season series, they’ll meet 2 times in the next 6 days in what could be a couple of crucial match-ups for both sides.
Experience is the main factor to consider here and Dallas has the edge in that department. We just saw them take down the Sacramento Kings in back-to-back road games. In Friday’s game they came back from 15 points down to win. As good as the Rockets have been during their win streak, some of the teams they faced during that stretch aren’t anywhere close to being as good as the Mavs. I think Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are aware of the stakes here, back the Mavs to cool down the Rockets here.
CHI Bulls ML over MIN Timberwolves (+275)
In my quest of finding an upset win for a bit of an odds boost, I’ve landed on the Chicago Bulls. Some people might be turned off by this pick and I don’t blame them. However, the Bulls have played solid basketball lately, shooting 50% or better in 3 of their last 4 games. They also have a win over the Timberwolves in the first meeting earlier this season, when they beat them 129-123 in OT back in early February.
That’s been the common theme in head-to-head meetings between these two teams. Chicago is 4-1 ATS/SU in the last 5 meetings, there’s just something about this match-up that suits them well. The T’Wolves are in midst of a 4-game win streak, but both Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert are game-time decisions to play here. With none of the pressure being on Chicago here, they can fully relax and play whatever style they prefer. Call me crazy, but I have them sweeping the regular season series here.
