NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/26)
The NBA Playoffs continue to heat up as the Association offers up a four-game slate tonight on the hardwood. Three of those matchups are close-out games as Cavaliers look to stay alive against Knicks (3-1), the Grizzlies fight for their lives against the Lakers (3-1), and the top-ranked Bucks return home trailing 3-1 to the Heat.
Let's dive into my top three bets for tonight's NBA action.
Tuesday's Best NBA Playoffs Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Lakers (+4.0) vs. Memphis Grizzlies | O/U 222.0 (-110/-110)
The Grizzlies dropped both road games in Los Angeles and now find themselves facing elimination as they return home for game five. They'll host the Lakers tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET from the FedExForum in Memphis, TN.
I'm laying the 4.0 points with the Grizzlies in this spot as I expect them to extend this series to a sixth game. They've had some issues scoring against a respectable Los Angeles defense, but I think the energy boost that comes with playing at home will be enough to help get them over the hump.
Furthermore, I simply think Memphis has more depth than Los Angeles, at least in terms of starters that can score. Aside from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers don't offer much to write home about in terms of scoring production. We know the stars will all get their points, but I like for Memphis' role players to step up at home and help push this series to a sixth game.
Bet: Memphis Grizzlies -4.0 (-110)
Miami Heat (+11.5) vs. Milwaukee Bucks | O/U 219.5 (-110/-110)
I don't think too many of us predicted the Bucks to be on the brink of elimination in the fifth game of the first round, yet here we are. Milwaukee will attempt to stay alive tonight when they host Miami at 9:30 p.m. ET from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI.
While it appears that the Bucks will have a healthy-enough Giannis Antetokounmpo available tonight, at some point, we have to start respecting the Miami Heat and what they've accomplished so far. Playoff Jimmy Butler is here and looking to build off of a legendary comeback in game four where he dropped 56 points.
And the oddsmakers are still going to offer us 11.5 points with the frisky Heat? Maybe I'm a sucker, but I'll gladly take the points here. Miami finished the regular season ranked ninth in terms of defensive efficiency, allowing just 110.6 points per 100 possessions. They also finished 29th in pace, using just 98.0 possessions per game. If they can slow this game down, play serviceable defense, and get a little magic from Butler, I think Miami keeps it inside the number.
Bet: Miami Heat +11.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors (-1.5) vs. Sacramento Kings | O/U 235.0 (-110)
The reigning champion Warriors got the job at home over the weekend, winning both games and evening up the series 2-2 with the Kings. Sacramento returns home tonight and tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA.
The Warriors have been atrocious on the road this year, finishing the campaign just 11-30 away from Chase Center. Add another two losses to that record as the Kings handled them 126-123 in game one and 114-106 in game two. I think a lot of people are just waiting for Golden State to flip a switch and start winning their road games. Well, it's not that easy, especially when you're taking on a rising team like Sacramento.
I'm going to back the Kings on the moneyline in this spot. Similar to the Grizzlies above, I think we'll see the Sacramento role players step it up a tick on their home court and help contribute to a winning effort. This was the league's top offense this season in terms of offensive efficiency (117.0 points per 100 possessions), so if they can turn this into a barnburner, I give them the advantage against a team that's struggled to score on the road like the Warriors. Let's go with Sacramento to win outright in game five.
Bet: Sacramento Kings Moneyline (+100)
Check out the rest of Wednesday’s best bets:
- NBA Playoffs Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NHL Playoffs Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions
- MLB To Hit A Home Run Player Prop Picks & Predictions
View more top props from our free Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts