The NBA regular season resumes with a fully loaded slate this Friday, with a grand total of 15 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts still dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made NBA picks for 5 of tonight's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Friday, April 11.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Friday, April 11
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bucks vs. Pistons
By Joe Dellera
The Bucks face off against the Pistons in a critical game for both teams. The Pistons need to win both of these two games against the Bucks to secure the 5-seed, while Milwaukee needs just one win to lock in at the 5.
I expect a big game from Giannis tonight, with the thought if they can lock up the 5-seed now, then they can rest in the season finale.
Giannis has been a monster of late. He’s cleared this line in 9 of his last 10 games averaging 31.1 over this stretch.
He’s also worked the Pistons. He’s scored 28 and 59 against them this season, and the 59 came in a game that Dame also didn’t play in.
This is a back-to-back for both teams. However, Giannis sat the entire fourth quarter against the Pelicans after racking up 28 in third. I project this to be a tightly contested game, and Giannis will get his.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 27.5 Points (-115)
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Hornets vs. Celtics
This is a fade on Jayson Tatum's playing time. It's a tremendous matchup and he gets a nice boost with Jaylen Brown ruled out, but there's no reason to push him in a meaningless game ahead of the playoffs.
RotoGrinders has Tatum projected for 27 minutes here, which seems fair. Normal rotation for the 1st half, maybe some 3rd quarter minutes. It's just hard to imagine Tatum playing in the 4th quarter. Boston is a 20-point favorite.
Miles Bridges has been ruled out. Charlotte's team total is down to 96.5 at some places, which might be the lowest of the season. And there's a chance Tatum doesn't play the 2nd half regardless of the score.
Pick: Jayson Tatum Under 38.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120)
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Raptors vs. Mavericks
The Raptors are locked into their spot in the draft order and have their star player Scotite Barnes not even listed on the injury report. The Mavericks are in a highly incentivized situation as they battle for the 9-seed with the Kings for a home game in the Play-In.
However, the Mavericks are coming off a game with no home court advantage against Luka and the Lakers, where they benched their point guard and player who has played the most minutes this season in Spencer Dinwiddie, and now are reliant on Naji Marshall as a lead playmaker.
Fade the Mavs' lack of guard play, home court advantage, and desperation in a rollercoaster season. Toronto has been a top team ATS, without any draft incentive to lose. Take the Raps to cover again with a sprinkle on an outright win.
Pick: Raptors +12 (-110) / Raptors Moneyline (+450)
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Spurs vs. Suns
The Spurs don’t have much to play for, given that they’re no longer in contention for a playoff spot. However, you wouldn’t know it the way Harrison Barnes is playing, as the Spurs forward is currently on a tear, averaging 25 points over his last six games. Those numbers are well above his season scoring average of 12.4.
