This will be the Spurs’ 22nd consecutive year they have made the playoffs under Popovich and he always seems to have his team ready. Okay maybe not last year when they were blasted in the first round by Golden State. Are the Nuggs the perfect matchup for Pop to breakdown over a series?
Are the Magic motivated to get the final regular season win and cover the spread tonight? The Magic may have clinched their division and a playoff spot, but they still have work to do. Orlando is the 7th seed in the East meaning they would matchup with the Toronto Raptors in the first-round. They are tied with Brooklyn, who has the tie-breaker. Matt gives his prediction!
The Golden State Warriors host the LA Clippers in Sunday hoops action. The NBA betting board lists the Warriors as a large 13.5 point favorite with a total line of 235.5. Both teams could use the win, so is this too many points to lay? Read what handicapper Matt Lowry has to say on the match and get his best bet pick.
The Brooklyn Nets travel to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Saturday NBA action. The lines maker has opened the Bucks as an -8.5 point spread favorite with a total line of 235.5. Milwaukee has owned the Nets this season winning all three games with the smallest margin of victory being ten points. So are the Bucks the play? Get Matt’s BKN/MIL Prediction.
This Pacers team is breathing down the necks of Boston for home court advantage and Boston is doing everything they can to hold them off. They are 2-1 straight up against the Pacers this year, but the problem for the Cs is that all 3 meetings were won by the home team. The Cs look to reverse that betting trend tonight!
The Heat are still clinging to a half game lead over the Orlando Magic for the final seed in the Eastern Conference. Keep in mind that the Heat are also only one game behind the Pistons for the 6th seed and half a game behind the Nets for the 7th seed. The Heat should certainly be both motivated and confident after just beating Boston. Bookmakers opened Miami as +2 underdogs.
The Thunder are in a free fall now, losing their last two games in a row. These losses came to Denver, who is battling for the one seed but also, they most recently lost to Dallas, who is well out of the playoff conversation. Which Thunder shows up versus the Lakers and a 12.5 opening line? Matt Lowry has his NBA pick!
With just 6 games remaining for the Heat, they must win now, or they will be watching this year’s playoffs from home. Currently the Heat are merely a .500 team and therefore they are sitting as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today, they would be facing the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, but unfortunately, they have other things to worry about right now and that’s the Celtics. Heat backers are worried about finishing this game within 7 and the way the C’s have been playing, some bettors think that is too many points. Matt gives his NBA prediction for Celts vs Heat!
Both teams have been solid against the spread recently, with the Tigers going 6-4 and the Tar Heels going 7-3. An interesting trend shows that the Tar Heels play great basketball after coming off a win by 20 points or more. They are 9-1 straight up and 7-2-1 against the spread. As for Auburn they are 5-2 straight up and 4-3 ATS when they win their previous game by 10 to 19 points. Obviously every team still in the tourney is coming off some kind of high, as losers go home. But which team truly has momentum? Matt Lowry breaks down the matchup and the sportsbook’s spread of 5.5.
PJ Washington remains sidelined and is listed as questionable for this Sweet 16 game. Without Washington, Kentucky had just two double-digit scorers in the game against Wofford, which is a huge concern especially against a defensive-minded team like Houston. Sportsbooks seem to agree making the Cats only 3 point favorites. Matt Lowry gives his college basketball prediction.