The NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Saturday, with a total of only 5 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. However, 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 4 of today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, April 5.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, April 5
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 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. | ||
Knicks vs. Hawks
By Joe Dellera
The Knicks face off against the Atlanta Hawks today and this is a spot where Jalen Brunson could make his return. I don't see a circumstance where Brunson returns and is not at full health. He is far too important for this Knicks team to rush him back.
Brunson has been practicing all week and should get run today. This is the front-end of a back-to-back so I think they play him in one of these two games. I figure today maybe makes more sense to then give him 3 days off before their next game.
The Hawks are abysmal defensively and play at a lightning fast pace. So, even if the minutes are somewhat restricted, there will be more opportunities within those minutes. Brunson has cleared this line in 8 of the last 10 games he’s played, and I’ll back him to do it again in his first game back this Saturday.
Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 30.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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Grizzlies vs. Pistons
By Alex Hinton
In November, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Detroit Pistons by a score of 131-111 in Memphis. That game went well over the total of 225.5 points and would clear tonight's total as well. Last fall, it was clear that the Pistons were improved from the past three seasons, but they were not yet playing at the level of a playoff team when these teams last met.
Over the last 10 games, the Pistons are 11th in offensive rating. They have played the last few games without All-Star Cade Cunningham, but that may not be the case much longer. Cunningham was upgraded to questionable for tonight's last game. Although I would assume he was held out for one more game against the tanking Raptors, as the Pistons were able to get by with a 12-point victory. The Pistons have a 114.8 offensive rating with Cunningham on the floor this season.
Meanwhile, Memphis is sixth in offensive rating this season and leads the NBA in pace. Under interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Grizzlies want to get back to playing at their warped speed from the earlier in the season. The Grizzlies are averaging 103 possessions over their last five games.
The Pistons will be just fine playing at that pace, considering they rank second in the league in fastbreak points, while Memphis is eighth. More transition buckets and more possessions should lead to at least 241 points tonight. I would play it up to 242 total points.
Pick: Over 240 (-110)
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Bucks vs. Heat
The Miami Heat had a six-game winning streak snapped their last time out.
While the overall results have been up-and-down, the Heat have started off well over the last few weeks.
