We’re entering the final week of regular season NBA basketball and the competition for playoff spots in the West couldn’t be any closer. We’ve done our research and provided previews and betting tips on the exciting games coming up on Saturday, 7th April!
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (9:00am AEST)
The matchup of the day is quite clearly between LeBron James’ Cavaliers and the red-hot 76ers. The teams are currently tied for the third seed in the East, with the Pacers breathing down their neck. The Cavs have found a bit of form in recent times, but their road struggles have continued. They are just 16-22-1 ATS for the season and will need to bring their A-Game to Philadelphia on Saturday.
The 76ers have now won a current league-high 12 straight games! Even without All-Star Joel Embiid they are absolutely flying and are regularly finishing teams off by half time. However, they will face a hungry Cavaliers outfit on Saturday who will be sure to make them earn it. The Sixers are a league best 26-12 ATS at home this season.
We are backing both form and statistics with this one and are taking the Sixers at the line against the Cavs.
TIP: 76ers at the line (-3.5) - $1.93 at CrownBet
New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns (12:00pm AEST)
Another important game in the playoff race is happening over in Phoenix on Saturday. The Pelicans find themselves in a must win game against a team with the worst record in the league. The Pelicans, led by their star Anthony Davis, have been OK at home this season, with a 23-17 straight and 19-21 ATS record.
The Suns snapped a all-time franchise worst 15-game losing streak in their last outing against the Kings. They are clearly in tank mode and are 1 game clear at the bottom of the league standings. Devin Booker and TJ Warren continue to be rested, as they are getting valuable minutes into young prospects Josh Jackson and Tyler Ulis.
We expect the Pelicans to come out and finish this game by half time. Take them at the line.
TIP: Pelicans at the line (-11) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers (12:30pm AEST)
The Timberwolves have been in dreadful form lately and now find themselves in the middle of a tense playoff race in the Western Conference. They will face the Lakers on Saturday in the second of a back-to-back after losing by 4 points to the Nuggets on Friday. In good news for the Timberwolves, they will most likely welcome back All-Star guard Jimmy Butler to the starting line-up, although it is still unclear whether he will be on a minutes restriction.
The Lakers have been hot and cold all season and find themselves in no-mans land in the 11th seed in the Western Conference. They have injury problems in all positions and are continuously experimenting with new rotations. We expect Coach Walton to continue this trend as he plans for a big 2018/19 season for the Lakers.
With so much to play for we are obliged to take the Timberwolves in this one. We expect them to comfortably cover the small line.
TIP: Timberwolves at the line (-3.5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
