After an amazing and unpredictable 2017/18 NBA season we are now down to the final day of regular season basketball! There are plenty of exciting games taking place on Thursday, headlined by the playoff spot decided between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves. Take a look at our NBA previews and betting tips below.
Denver Nuggets AT Minnesota Timberwolves (10:00AM AEST)
The game of the day features a matchup between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves, who will be fighting it out for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With both teams level with records of 46-35 heading into the final game of the season, only the winner of this match will progress to the post-season.
The Nuggets have been on a tear in their late season push towards the playoffs, winning 6 consecutive games and 8 of their last 10. They are set to match up with the Timberwolves, who they are 1-2 against in their 3 meetings this season. The Nuggets have been a poor road team all season, with records of 15-25 straight and 17-21-2 ATS.
The Timberwolves have limped towards the finish line of the regular season, winning just 6 of their past 12 games. However, they have won their past 2 games since the return of superstar Jimmy Butler to the line-up. They are 29-11 straight and 19-19-2 ATS at home this season.
We are expecting a fierce battle between these two teams as they fight for the final playoff spot. However, we think that the Timberwolves will have too much fire power and should cover the small line in a big win at home.
TIP: Timberwolves at the line (-3) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Milwaukee Bucks AT Philadelphia 76ers (10:00AM AEST)
There’s another exciting game with playoff implications taking place over in the Eastern Conference on Thursday. The Bucks and the 76ers have both sewn up playoff spots, although their seeding is still to be decided, with this final game playing a huge part in their first round matchups.
The Bucks have been good without being great this season and have taken advantage of the weaker conference to make their way to the 6th seed in the East with a 44-37 record. They have been in solid form to close out the season, winning 3 of their last 4 and 7 of their last 10. However, they haven’t been overly successful on the road this season with records of 19-21 straight and 22-17-1 ATS.
The 76ers are absolutely flying at the moment and are the hottest team in the league, boasting an incredible 14-game winning streak. They have made their way to the 3rd spot in the East after a huge win over the Cavs this week, despite missing their only all-star in Joel Embiid. The 76ers have made their home court a fortress this season, where they are 29-11 straight and a league best 26-14 ATS.
You simply just have to back the Sixers at the moment and we’ll be expecting them to cover the spread again at home here.
TIP: 76ers at the line (-7.5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Utah Jazz AT Portland Trail blazers (12:30PM AEDT)
Our final match-up of the day is between the Jazz and the Trail Blazers, who are fighting it out for the 3rd seed in the Western Conference.
The Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in the league since the all-star break and have a chance to claim home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs if they can defeat the Blazers on Thursday. The Jazz are coming off an emphatic 42-point win over the Warriors and are 8-2 in their last 10. They have broken even on the road this season with a 20-20 straight record and a 21-18-1 record against the spread.
Like the Jazz, the Blazers have exceeded everyone’s expectations this season to currently sit in the 4th spot in the Western Conference. They have won just 4 of their last 10 games coming into this fixture, with injuries taking their toll. However, the Blazers have been terrific at home this season, where they are 27-13 straight and 21-16-3 ATS.
We are backing in the Blazers to get the win and cover the small line again in this one.
TIP: Trail Blazers at the line (-2.5) - $1.86 at CrownBet
