Yesterday was not a ‘lucky day’ in our NBA Best Bets and Props column.

Domantas Sabonis’ bet could not get off the hook and LeBron James went 6-20, yet he still fell just one successful field goal short for a winning ticket. CJ McCollum had his worst game in three weeks, and the Golden State Warriors decided to go out in style. Particularly Klay Thompson who in 32 minutes of gametime had a field goal line of 0-10 – ZERO!

 

 

 

NBA Props & Best Bets Today, 4/17: Play-In Tournament

Today is a new day for NBA predictions and the action shifts to the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat play the Philadelphia 76ers for the seventh seed and a series against the New York Knicks. The Atlanta Hawks play the Chicago Bulls in a win or go home game at the United Center. They have been fringe playoff teams the past two years and find themselves there again.

Wednesday’s NBA picks include straight bets, a player prop, and a Same Game Parlay. Both games have two bets wagered on them, and the ‘Bet of the Night’ is on one of the hottest names this time of year – Jimmy Butler.

Editor’s Note: Discover the best NBA odds and lines on BettorEdge, the premier social sports betting platform! With availability in more than 40 states, using the code ALARM will get you a $10 bonus upon signing up. Click here to activate your offer!

 

 

Jimmy Butler Props: Under 23.5 Points (-110 on Bet365)

Playoff Jimmy is a nickname Jimmy Butler has rightfully earned. He has been the leader of two Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat teams. However, he has been lackluster this season, and the Heat have voiced displeasure with his effort. Yet here the Miami Heat are, in the play-in and asking Jimmy Butler to deliver for them again.

Butler is averaging 20.8 points per game this season and played 60 games, although some with less than his best effort. In the most recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers, on April 4th, Butler scored 20 points in almost 40 minutes of game time. The Heat lost that game 105-109, despite Jimmy’s efforts and high playing time.

Butler’s point line has moved up purely on speculation; he has scored less than 24 points in his last three games. In fact, he has scored 24 or more points in just two games since March 21st. Those two games happened to be against two of the worst four defenses in the league. The Indiana Pacers at four, and the Atlanta Hawks at two.

He will need to be everything for this Miami Heat team who will be without Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson. Nikola Jovic and Patty Mills will be starting alongside Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Butler. Butler could be double-teamed in this game, and could rely on Adebayo or Herro to score. The under on Butler’s points is the clear play in tonight’s NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’.

 

 

 

NBA Predictions & Picks Today, 4/17: Play-In Tournament

The Philadelphia 76ers are the hottest team in the NBA, and on an eight-game win streak. It almost parallels with the return of Joel Embiid, although he has only played in five of those victories. The Philadelphia 76ers gained valuable experience playing without Joel Embiid. 

We’ll also provide NBA picks on the other game, as the Chicago Bulls lost to the Atlanta Hawks in their most recent match on April 1st. Tonight, they host the Hawks in a game each team knew was coming for over a week. 

Heat vs. 76ers Prediction: Philadelphia Moneyline (-205 on Bet365) *2 UNITS

Although KJ Martin and De’Anthony Melton are out today, the starting five should play… Including last year’s MVP, Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is having an excellent year, and really stepped up from the third scoring option last year, to the first scoring option this year. With Embiid back, he can focus on his defense and command of the team but will still be asked to score.

Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris are underrated defenders and Harris is capable of having an excellent offensive game. Kyle Lowry brings championship experience and understands what head coach Nick Nurse wants to implement on the floor. This is a potentially dangerous seventh seeded team, but they must win tonight to earn that seventh seed. 

Joel Embiid should have a great night, and the 76ers should pull away in the second half against a depleted Miami Heat roster. A double-unit play on the moneyline is suggested to boost the bankroll.

 

 

 

Hawks vs. Bulls Prediction: Chicago -3 (-110 on Bet365)

Both teams have been locked into their positions for almost the entire month and have had plenty of time to prepare for each other. The Hawks are currently on a six-game losing streak and have only won 15 road games this season. 

The Bulls have won five of their last 10 games and have a much better front court than Atlanta. The Bulls were parlayed with Golden State in yesterday’s column, but with the Warriors getting destroyed, the Bulls spread seems appropriate. The -3 allows the push in an unforeseen ending, and still allows the Bulls to cover if late fouls should happen.

Chicago allows almost seven fewer points per game than Atlanta does and will need to rely on defensive play from Alex Caruso. The Bulls will be without Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Drummond, but Nikola Vucevic is a former All-Star. He’s capable of playing several minutes and being the leading rebounder of the game. Dalen Terry has filled in nicely for Dosunmu and that should continue tonight against one of the worst defenses in the league.

  • Bet on Bulls -3 at Bet365 Sportsbook today!

 

 

 

NBA Parlay Today, 4/17: Play-In Tournament

Our NBA predictions today are finalized by a Hawks vs. Bulls SGP. Coby White was intentionally left out of the ‘Chicago covering by three’ section so he could be featured here. This is essentially a White bet with a teased down rebounding line on Nikola Vucevic. 

 

 

 

Hawks vs. Bulls SGP: Coby White O2.5 Threes Made & O19.5 Points + Nikola Vucevic 10+ Rebounds (+248 on DraftKings)

Vucevic’s rebounding line has been teased down to 10 or more, as the only realistic scenario he does not get to 10 rebounds is extreme foul trouble or the rare (and never wanted) injury. He should have 10 rebounds before the start of the fourth quarter. 

White is being undervalued in this matchup by the sportsbooks. First off, he is a potential – and the most deserving of – Most Improved Player of the Year. He is having the best season of his young career and will be asked to do more with Dosunmu out. He has not made a three in his past two games, but against the second worst defense in the league, he should have plenty of high-percentage field goal opportunities.

White has 556 three point attempts this season, including seven in his most recent game against the Hawks. He has a 37.1% success rate behind the arc and should see more than a few open looks tonight. 

White averages 19.1 points per game this season but has scored more than his average recently. This April, he has four games with 20 or more points, including three of his last four. With DeRozan demanding the defenses attention, and White controlling the ball more often, this seems like an easy same game parlay to cover. If he makes three threes, he will almost certainly score over 20 points.

All parlays are difficult, and most of the time, a half-unit bet would be recommended for them. This bet has numbers to indicate it has a high-success percentage. A full unit is recommended, and DraftKings has a $10 No Sweat Bet option you can apply to this bet. Should it lose, $10 would be returned in the form of a bonus bet, which is better than nothing.

 

 

Thank you for checking out my NBA picks today! Don't forget to visit Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy sports and betting requirements.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise