After a smaller two-game slate on Saturday, the NBA features a beefy 13-game slate on Sunday. With the regular season ending next Sunday, these games are more important than ever as teams battle for playoff and play-in tournament positioning. Our NBA betting experts have their eyes on best bets for five games, including 76ers vs. Bucks tonight. Find their picks and analysis below.
NBA Odds & Picks
Grizzlies vs. Bulls Spread
Andrew O'Connor-Watts: I had the Bulls as my best bet in their last game against the Hornets, and I’m taking them again tonight for similar reasons. They still need the win a lot more than their opponents, the Grizzlies, need a win.
Chicago is 10th in the Eastern Conference and just a game behind the Hawks and Raptors in the loss column. They’re 6-3 ATS in their last nine games and have conquered some legitimate opponents in that time, starting with the Timberwolves, Heat, 76ers, Trailblazers, Lakers and Hornets.
OK, I didn’t say they were ALL legitimate opponents, but in every instance, they took care of business. Two of their three losses came against the 76ers and Lakers in revenge games following a Bulls win.
The Grizzlies' road issues have been well documented by Action Network folks all season, but in case you need a reminder, they’re 15-22 straight up and 13-23-1 ATS on the road. Tonight is their final meeting against the Bulls this season after beating them 104-89 at home in Memphis. Chicago was without DeMar DeRozan in that game and will look to even the series at home.
My model makes the Bulls pretty decent-sized favorites tonight, and that doesn’t take into account the revenge factor. I bet them at +3 for 1.5 units and on the moneyline to win one unit. Play to +2 at 1.5 units and down to a pick 'em for one unit.
Jazz vs. Nets Player Prop
Bryan Fonseca: I can't believe the tear Mikal Bridges has been on.
I don't know if it's a new role in Brooklyn, the rhythm he's discovered after the change of scenery, the general ripple effects of an NBA-wide offensive explosion, or a combination of the three, but people have been dining on Bridges' overs lately, and we won't stop here.
Bridges is -135 to hit three or more 3s tonight, which he's done in four straight games and 13 of 22 times since being traded to the Nets. He's averaging 2.9 makes per game on 6.6 attempts from 3 in Brooklyn, good for a lofty 43.4%.
The danger here is the questions of sustainability. But don't look now, but the season is almost over[
Who cares about sustainability at this point? The Jazz are going the other way, and Bridges could be poised for yet another one of his big offensive outbursts tonight, which have been largely aided by his incredibly efficient displays from deep.
Pick: Mikal Bridges Over 2.5 Made 3s (-140) |
Mavericks vs. Hawks Spread
Brandon Anderson: Despite the big picture similarities for these teams, the stylistic differences could tilt this in Atlanta's favor. The Hawks should see a sizable rebounding advantage and score more efficient 2s than usual. The Mavs allow the fewest 3s per game by selling out to stop opponents from getting shots up, but they often get dominated in the paint.
Meanwhile, Dallas' attack isn't built to punish Atlanta's poor interior defense. Add in the Mavs' Saturday night in Miami, and this looks like a spot to back Atlanta.
Suns vs. Thunder Player Prop
Jim Turvey: The Suns officially have a clean bill of health, which is perfect timing for them as they enter the postseason.
With a starting lineup of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton, the team has one of the most potent potential offensive attacks, but with so many weapons, it means certainly players are going to eat less.
Chris Paul is definitely fine with being in the Eat Less phase of his career. In the five games with Durant in Phoenix, Paul is averaging just 9.6 points per game, down from 13.5 for the season as a whole.
That even includes a 19-point game from Paul in KD's first game back on Wednesday when KD uncharacteristically wasn't hitting shots, so Paul went back to scoring a bit. Without that game, that with-Durant average barely clears seven points.
I would play this to under 11.5 points around -115 as well, but it's widely available at 12.5 points as of writing.
Pick: Chris Paul Under 12.5 Points |
76ers vs. Bucks Spread
Jacob McKenna: The season series between the 76ers and Bucks has been tight in every matchup, and I think that'll be the case again here. That puts Philadelphia in a favorable spot to cover the spread as a road underdog.
Philadelphia is the best team in the NBA when it comes to covering the spread, owning a 45-31-1 ATS record per TeamRankings. The 76ers have also done well against the spread as an underdog this season, going 12-10 ATS. Additionally, Philadelphia is 2-1 against the spread against Milwaukee this season.
Milwaukee's vulnerability on the perimeter plays right into Philadelphia's biggest strength, so I feel comfortable backing the 76ers on the spread. I would play this down to +2.5.
Pick: 76ers +5.5 |
