NBA Best Bets Today, 4/24: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - NBA Playoffs
Delicious, sweet, bankroll filling Meatloaf was back on the menu of NBA predictions! It has been almost a week since we have won two out of three, and like the famous lyrics from the Temple of The Dog song “Hunger Strike” ‘… I’m going hungryyyyyyy’.
Kristaps Porzingis made one field goal over his projected point total, as he helped the Boston Celtics overcome a scare from the Orlando Magic. Davion Mitchell over 1.5 threes made was successful for third consecutive wager, however the Miami Heat could not keep their lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The first placed team took over late in the first quarter and never looked back.
The Golden State Warriors lost against the Houston Rockets but may have lost something much more important. Jimmy Butler landed on his pelvis, and did not return to the game. Even without Butler, Stephen Curry was unable to get going and only scored 20 points. Thus, securing the top of our NBA best bets of under 25.5 points and proving that ‘Two out of Three Ain’t Bad’.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/24
There are three more playoff matches, and three more NBA best bets today. The first coming from a tightly contested Eastern Conference battle.
Knicks vs. Pistons Prediction: Detroit Moneyline (+100 on FanDuel) *BET OF THE NIGHT
The Detroit Pistons have been the better team in this series, and although the New York Knicks have the better fourth quarter performances, Detroit has dominated this series. Their game two win was Detroit’s first playoff victory since May 26, 2008. That is a long time for a great basketball franchise to go without a playoff win, and this best bet suggests they are going to do something special again.
Tonight, at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit is looking to get their first home playoff victory in that same span of time. The arena will be rocking, as the Pistons have notoriously been one of the rowdiest crowds… even before the “Malice in the Palace”. This has been a tough and physical series and it’s going to continue that way.
That benefits the Pistons, and Cade Cunningham is going to be a problem for opposing teams going forward. At 6’ 6” and 220 pounds he is bigger/stronger than almost every other guard in the league. The kid from Arlington, Texas will soon realize what an unstoppable force he is, and the Eastern Conference will have difficulty defending him.
The Knicks have already displayed their difficulty, as he has scored 54 points in two games, and recorded a double double in each match. The first game with 12 rebounds, and game two with 12 assists including the game sealing pass to Dennis Schroder. Along with a roster of proven veterans Cunningham and Duren’s youth provide the spark and energy on both ends of the court.
Detroit and New York average about the same number of points, but New York is having difficulty generating consistent offense. Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau must get Karl Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges more involved to avoid a loss. The Pistons have a deep bench and the best player on the court in Cade Cunningham, and it is going to be too much for the Knicks to overcome.
Put a unit at even odds for Detroit to win their first home playoff game in almost two decades. FanDuel Sportsbook has the game at +100 odds for the home team, and for those new to the sportsbook, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s offer.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies Prediction: Zach Edey U8.5 Points (-125 on Bet365)
Zach Edey has not played up to his season averages in the first round of the playoffs. Perhaps that will change now that the Memphis Grizzlies are at home, but it is unlikely because the Oklahoma City Thunder are too good defensively. The Thunder have been shutting down the Grizzlies, particularly their front court.
Edey has a combined 8 points in two games, despite playing a combined 46 minutes. He averaged 9.2 points per game this season, but currently only 4.0 in the playoffs. He has a combined 16 rebounds, and earned 2 blocks in the last match, but he is not getting many field goal attempts. He has just eight attempts in two games and has yet to convert a free throw.
Oklahoma City should do what’s best for their team and blow past the Grizzlies 4 - 0 in order to prepare for the battle that will be the Western Conference Semifinals. For the Thunder Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams make it so difficult for any player to approach the rim, much less score.
Edey could see a drop in playing time, as he only played 20 minutes of game one. The Grizzlies are in bad need of offensive production, and if Edey cannot provide it they will either rely more on a struggling Jaren Jackson, or look at Marvin Bagley who has played well this series.
Put a unit on Edey to go under 8.5 points at Bet365 and make sure to take advantage of $150 in bonus bets at the end of this column.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/24
There are other round one matches that are tied 1 - 1, but it’s an almost unanimous decision that the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers series is the best of the first round.
Nuggets vs. Clippers Prediction: Russell Westbrook O4.5 Rebounds (+105 on BetMGM)
There is an in depth look at this match under the NBA Betting tab, make sure to go read it and place the wager from that article as well. This portion of NBA best bets today focuses on a different player, who will be forced into a larger role today. Russell Westbrook is back in the column in back-to-back playoff games.
This exact wager was mentioned two days ago, and Westbrook could not get off the hook recording just four rebounds. However, that does not deter us from betting on him as he has been one of the most clutch Nuggets players in this series. He has made crucial three-point field goals, rebounding, giving up assists, and forcing crucial turnovers.
He only played 23 minutes in game two but with Michael Porter declared questionable with a sprained left shoulder, he should return closer to the 34 minutes he played in game one. He earned 8 rebounds in that match, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he earns more than that tonight.
The Clippers are the best rebounding team in the Association, allowing just 41.5 rebounds per game. However, the Nuggets allow just 42.5 rebounds per game, and Westbrook’s 6’ 8” wingspan and high basketball IQ allow him to out rebound players taller (and younger) than he is. He will get behind guards, and position against forwards, and do it on the offensive and defensive end of the court.
Put a unit on Westbrook at plus odds at BetMGM, and for those not utilizing the sports betting app, make sure to take advantage of an up to $1,500 bonus bet from Fantasy Alarm.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
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Aaron Gordon had a quiet night, finishing with 13 points (6-of-13 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one three-pointer in the Nuggets’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
Gordon was mostly held in check on the offensive end, finishing with his fewest three-point makes of the series, the second-lowest scoring output, and no production from the free throw line. While Gordon has made several big plays down the stretch of games this postseason, he was notably quiet in Game 5, making his line feel even less spectacular. He’s performed well in Denver’s two home games this series and will need to empty the tank on Thursday in Game 6 to help the Nuggets keep their season alive.
Jamal Murray scored 28 points (10-of-27 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one block and three three-pointers in 42 minutes for the Nuggets in their loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
Murray registered his third 20-plus-point game of the series on Tuesday, but did so on rather inefficient shooting. A monster 13-point third quarter is where much of his production came from, which gave Denver a decent lead going into the final quarter. However, Murray cooled off down the stretch, scoring five of Denver’s 19 points in the fourth quarter. Both he and the rest of the Nuggets will want a better close to Thursday’s Game 6 if they hope to extend their season.
Nikola Jokic was dominant in the Nuggets’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, posting 44 points (17-of-25 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and 5 three-pointers.
Jokic bounced back in a big way on Tuesday after a few inefficient shooting performances in Games 2, 3 and 4. The three-time MVP had his fingerprints all over the game on the offensive side, regaining his shooting touch and being particularly dangerous from beyond the arc. He made some contributions as a passer, but still hasn’t found a way to dominate in this series as a facilitator, not yet tallying more than six assists in any game. Even with the Nuggets receiving the inevitable bounce-back game for Jokic, it wasn’t enough for them to take control of the series. Denver will need everything it can get from Jokic in Thursday’s Game 6 if it wants to extend the season.
Luguentz Dort came up big for the Thunder in their win over the Nuggets on Tuesday, finishing with 12 points (4-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, one assist and four three-pointers.
Well-known for his prowess on the defensive end, Dort’s offensive eruption in the fourth quarter helped the Thunder climb from out of a big hole to secure a come-from-behind win and move Oklahoma City one win closer to a trip to the conference finals. His three triples in the final frame were huge, but a late assist on a Jalen Williams three might have been the play that delivered the Thunder the victory. Dort’s double-digit outing marked his third of the series, and Oklahoma City would welcome another as it tries to close out the series on Thursday in Game 6.
Jalen Williams was impressive for the Thunder on Tuesday, posting 18 points (5-of-14 FGs, 6-8 FTs), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers in the win over the Nuggets.
Williams landed in double figures in scoring for the fifth time in as many games this series. And while he continued to struggle with shooting efficiency, he remained impactful as a facilitator. The fourth-year wing also delivered one of the biggest shots of Game 5 as he sank a corner three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma City a lead it wouldn’t surrender the rest of the way. Williams will continue to be relied upon when the Thunder head to Denver for a chance to close out the Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 31 points (12-of-23 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander did it all for the Thunder on Tuesday, taking on the roles of scorer and facilitator while remaining active on the defensive end along the way. Most importantly, he was key in the final handful of blows that Oklahoma City dealt Denver down the stretch in what ended up being a dominant 34-19 fourth quarter for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP finalist, delivered his third 30-point game of the series and will have a chance on Thursday to produce his fourth as the Thunder try to eliminate the Nuggets.