There are only a handful of days left in the NBA regular season, but there’s still plenty to play for. Here, we bring you previews and best bets for some of the key games on Friday!
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: Friday, 8th of April
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors
Scotiabank Arena, 9:30am AEDT
Led by superstar and MVP candidate Joel Embiid, the 76ers enter this clash on a three-game win streak, with their last two coming on the road. Embiid has been putting up some ridiculous numbers in recent outings and has kept his team in the hunt for a top two spot in the East. The 76ers are currently holders of a 49-30 record and are just .5 games behind the Celtics in second.
The Raptors have been in scintillating form to close out the regular season and have won 12 of their last 15 games heading into Friday’s slate. Most recently they took care of the Hawks by 10 points at home, which chalked up the Raptors 46th win of the season. They now occupy the fifth best record in the East and remain a dark horse in the East.
Both teams are in great form heading into this important clash. The Raptors have the edge in the season series 2-1 and have the chance to close it out on their home deck on Friday. With the form they’re currently in, I find it a touch disrespectful that they aren’t the clear-cut favourites in this game. I have them getting the job done in this one.
Toronto Raptors H2H
$1.83
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
Target Center, 10am AEDT
The Spurs are ending the regular season in terrific form and will be making an appearance in the Play-In tournament as a result. Despite being without All-Star Dejounte Murray, the Spurs were able to take care of the Jokic-led Nuggets by 19 points last start. They’ve now won seven of their last eight games and currently occupy 10th spot in the West.
The Timberwolves lost a crucial encounter with the undermanned and inexperienced Wizards last outing, which just about puts a line through them for a top six spot in the West, meaning they too will be in the Play-In tournament. Prior to that loss the Timberwolves won back-to-back games against the Rockets and the Nuggets on the road.
The Spurs are the form team in this matchup, but will start as the big underdogs due to their current injuries. That however, is a bit of an oversight from the bookies in my opinion, because they’ve still been playing fantastic basketball without Murray. I’m prepared to back them into cover the spread here and wouldn’t be surprised if they caused an upset.
San Antonio Spurs +8.5
$1.90
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Chase Center, 12pm AEDT
The Lakers season has been an absolute disaster and fans were finally put out of their misery last start when they suffered a season-ending loss against the league-leading Suns. LeBron James has been put on ice for the remainder of their games and it’s likely that Anthony Davis will follow suit. The Lakers are currently in 11thspot in the West and won’t feature in the Play-In.
The Warriors have had to deal with their fair share of injuries this season but have still managed to put together a solid record. They look to have returned to form after losing seven of eight games, bouncing back to win each of their last two against the Jazz and the Kings. As it stands, the Warriors are third in the West but only 0.5 games ahead of the Mavericks.
With the Lakers season officially over, it’ll be interesting to see what type of line-ups they dish up for their remaining games. On the other hand, the Warriors will be keen to continue their winning streak and finish in third in the West to avoid facing the Suns in the second round of the Playoffs. With that in mind, I’m keen to be on the Warriors to win this one very easily.
Golden State Warriors -12.5
$1.90
Player Props
9:30am 76ers at Raptors – Joel Embiid 33+ Points $1.90 Picklebet
9:30am 76ers at Raptors – Joel Embiid 13+ Rebounds $1.90 Picklebet
