The NBA Play-In Tournament concludes on Saturday morning with the final two do-or-die games. We bring you previews and our best betting tips for both games right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA Tips page regularly to find our best betting tips for the key slates each and every week. On top of that, we provide NBL betting tips for every round of the season for those who love a good punt on the basketball as much as we do!
NBA Betting Tips: Play-In Tournament Day 3
(9) Atlanta Hawks at (8) Cleveland Cavaliers
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 9:30am AEST
Scenario: The winner of this game will secure the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference and take on the #1 seed Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Injuries: The Hawks will continue to be without star forward John Collins who is nursing an ankle and finger sprain, while veteran Lou Williams is also unavailable due to injury. For the Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen is expected to return after missing his team’s first Play-In game, which means they’ll have nearly a fully fit roster.
Season H2H: Hawks 3-1. The Cavaliers had the better season overall, but the Hawks had the better of this matchup with wins in each of their last three meetings to take out the series 3-1. On top of that, the Hawks thumped the Cavaliers in their most recent outing, winning 131-107 in Atlanta.
Prediction: The Cavaliers have home court advantage on Saturday, but that’s about all they have on their side in my opinion. The Hawks have been in far, far better form and will take a lot of confidence from their wins over the Cavaliers this season. I have them getting the job done and progressing through to the playoffs.
(9) New Orleans Pelicans at (8) Los Angeles Clippers
Crypto.com Arena, 12pm AEST
Scenario: The winner of this game will secure the #8 seed in the Western Conference and take on the #1 seed Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
Injuries: Zion Williamson obviously remains out for the Pelicans, but aside from him they don’t have much to complain about on the injury front. The Clippers are also generally healthy at the moment and could even welcome back Kawhi Leonard in a few weeks should the Clippers continue to progress in the playoffs.
Season H2H: Pelicans 3-1. Surprisingly, the Pelicans took out the season series against the Clippers 3-1 after winning each of their first three meetings, all of which were by double-figure margins. However, the Clippers won their most recent clash 119-100 at Crypto.com Arena, which is where Saturday’s vital game will take place.
Prediction: The Pelicans were too good for the Spurs on Thursday and will be confident of putting in a good performance against the Clippers on Saturday, but I just feel the experience of the Ty Lue led Clippers will play a big part here. It’s an extremely tough ask for the Young Pelicans to win on the road in a tense game and I just don’t think they’re up to the challenge just yet.
Los Angeles Clippers -3.5
$1.84
