NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (4/3)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a total of six games on the schedule, including a nationally televised doubleheader on TNT/truTV/Max. The Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat meet at 7:30 p.m. ET in the front end of the double dip, while the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers tangle at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Let’s keep try and build that bankroll for the stretch run with winning picks for Thursday, April 3.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All picks are for 1 unit
Orlando Magic (-950) at Washington Wizards (+640) | O/U 216 (-110/-110)
The Magic (37-40) hit the road to battle the Wizards (17-59) at Capital One Arena on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Orlando has won nine straight meetings in this series, while going 8-1 against the spread (ATS) in the span dating back to March 21, 2023. That includes a 120-105 victory in D.C. on March 21 of this season, as the Magic covered as an 8.5-point favorite while the Over (215) cashed. The Over is 7-2-1 in the past 10 encounters between these Eastern Conference foes, too.
Orlando is coming off a 116-105 victory in San Antonio as a 5-point favorite while the Over (216.5) cashed. The Magic have alternated straight-up wins and losses in each of the past five outings while going 5-2 ATS in the past seven games, and 8-3 ATS in the past 11 outings. The Under has hit in three of the past four outings. On the road, however, Orlando has won four in a row straight up, while it has covered six in a row away from home. On the road, the Over has cashed in three straight, as well.
Washington surprised the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, 116-111, as the Wizards stunned the Kings as a 13.5-point underdog. Washington closed as a +600 moneyline underdog, too. If you took that, take a photo of the betslip and shoot me a note on X. I’d love to see it!
The win by the Wizards halted a three-game SU and ATS skid, and the Wizards are just 2-8 ATS in the past 10 outings. The Under has cashed in the past two games, both at home. Washington is 1-7 ATS in the past eight games at home, as well, including that March 21 loss to Paolo Banchero and the Magic.
Still, despite the fact the Wizards stunned the Kings, they’re playing on no rest. Washington has been dogwater at home against the number, and while it’s a giant number, let’s back Orlando lightly. Additionally, play the Under for a solid same game parlay (SGP).
Picks: Magic -14 (-108) & Under 216 Points (-110)
Portland Trail Blazers (-146) at Toronto Raptors (+124) | O/U 225 (-110/-110)
The Trail Blazers (33-43) and Raptors (28-48) meet at 7:30 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The Blazers enter the day three games back of the Sacramento Kings for the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference. The Blazers are just a game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, and two games back of the Phoenix Suns, the other teams vying for a playoff spot out West.
Portland has won three in a row in this series, including a 105-102 victory at Moda Center on March 16, although Toronto was able to pick up a cover as 7-point underdogs as the Under (226) cashed. Portland won last season’s visit to T-Dot, too, posting a 99-91 win as a 10-point underdog on Oct. 30, 2023, while the Under (216.5) connected. Portland is 8-2 SU in the past 10 meetings while going 5-3 ATS in the past eight in the series. The Under has hit in four of the past five, too.
Toronto had a four-game winning streak halted in Chicago on Tuesday, losing 137-118 as a 4-point underdog while the Over (238) cashed. The non-cover also halted a 4-game cover streak, and the Raps are a solid 9-3 ATS in the past 12 since March 10. The Under has cashed in four of the past six games while going 6-3 in the past nine outings.
For Portland, it snapped a four-game losing skid with a 127-113 win in Atlanta on Tuesday as a 5.5-point underdog while the Over (235) cashed. This is the fourth stop on a five-game road trip, and the Over is 2-1 in the first three games, while the Blazers are just 1-2 SU/ATS.
Let’s back the Raptors are short ‘dogs at home, while going with the Under based on the series trends, the results of the first meeting, and recent play by the Raptors.
Picks: Raptors +3 (-112) & Under 225 Points (-110)