A rough ‘NBA best bets’ outing yesterday, on a lackluster day of the NBA playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves controlled the entire game against the Phoenix Suns and went up 2-0. Rudy Gobert was a large disappointment not even earning his original rebounding line.

 

 

 

The Pacers just walked all over the Bucks, and that has all of a sudden become a series, with each team earning a victory. In the process, it destroyed the under play for the day. Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks won a close game in Los Angeles, but he failed to grab 10+ rebounds. 

*Editor’s Note: Get the most favorable NBA odds and lines exclusively on BettorEdge, the leading social sports betting platform! Available in 40+ states, just enter the code ALARM to instantly claim a $10 bonus when you sign up through us.

 

 

NBA Picks & Predictions: Wednesday, 4/24

Today is a new day though and there are two games between the first and eighth seed of each conference. Despite the lower ranked team winning two games yesterday, today will be tough for both eighth seeds. There will be three bets today, two on the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game: one straight bet and one player prop. 

The Bet of the Night comes from the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup, and on a familiar face. Jonas Valanciunas makes a return, and this time, as the featured prop. Explore the analysis for my NBA predictions today below.

 

 

 

Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction: Jonas Valanciunas Alternate Rebounding Line - Over 13.5 (+215 on DraftKings)

Jonas Valanciunas is the featured prop of today’s NBA picks, and for good reason. He has really stepped it up in the absence of Zion Williamson. He has played over 27 minutes in the last two games and has 12 or more rebounds. Including the 25 in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The New Orleans Pelicans gave the Thunder all they could handle, and they had every opportunity to win the game. The Thunder are the Western Conference’s best in part because of their ability to close out close games. However, Jonas did everything on his part, splitting time with Larry Nance Jr. 

They have different specialties but Jonas had a huge impact, by bullying and being too much physically for Chet Holmgren and the Thunder players. He should start the game and play around 30 minutes again tonight. The Oklahoma City Thunder did not play well in Game 1, and part of that is the Pelicans tough defense. That too should continue tonight.

Valanciunas’ rebounding line is set at 11.5, an increase of three from Game 1. He was a successful wager at over 8.5, and instead of building a ladder as we did on Rudy Gobert, today, the rebounding line has simply been teased up. The odds are better than two-to-one and it should be another great rebounding night. 

 

 

 

NBA Props & Best Bets, 4/24

The Boston Celtics host another game at TD Garden against the Miami Heat as the best rivalry in the Eastern Conference is back on tonight. Boston continues their quest for a sweep against the team that beat them in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Two of our NBA predictions today focus on this matchup: a player prop bet and a wager on the total.

Heat vs. Celtics Prediction: Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 Points (+110 on DraftKings)

In Game 1, Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets took Jayson Tatum under 26.5 points, and it was a successful plus odds prop. This time we take the over, at plus odds, and we are seeking another cashed ticket. Jayson Tatum is a true scorer, but has taken the role as a facilitator with such great scorers around him. 

Although Tatum played 41 minutes, he only scored 23 points. He could have easily scored more, but chose to keep his teammates involved and only attempted 18 field goals. He made only seven of those attempts, and should make more tonight. He was so efficient in his rebounding and passing skills that he achieved the very rare, playoff triple-double. 

Usually, a player's point total will be affected by so many assists, and Tatum could have fewer assists tonight. Tatum had to come back into the game because the Miami Heat were able to make it a close game in the second half. The Heat will play better tonight, and this will force Tatum to score more often. He went just one of eight from the three-point line, and if he made just one of those, he would have had 26 points. 

Look for a better scoring percentage from Tatum tonight and look for a closer game despite the 14-point spread suggestion. Ultimately, look for Tatum to put this game away in the fourth quarter and cover this plus odds proposition bet.

 

 

 

Heat vs. Celtics Prediction: Over 203.5 Total Points (-110 on BettorEdge)

The spread has been put incredibly high at 14.5 points, and the total an even more disrespectful 203.5 points. Game 1 saw a total score of 208 points with a score 94 -114 in favor of the Celtics. The Celtics had an awful second half of scoring, and the Heat were held in check by the Celtics tough defense, yet they still managed to score over 204 total points. 

That was a bad scoring night for each team, as Miami has an average of 110.1 points per game and Boston an outstanding 120.6 points per game. In addition to the points per game, Boston is also the league's best three-point scoring team. Even if the defenses are tighter than expected tonight, Boston is capable of having an excellent three-point night of 20-25 threes made. 

Miami has scorers that will have the ball in their hands more often without Jimmy Butler as well. Bam Adebayo was the only starter to score over 16 points, and it would be unrealistic to expect every starter to have two bad games in a row. Place a unit on the over and watch the scoring take us over 203.5 points to complete our NBA predictions tonight. 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking a look at my NBA picks for today! Remember to visit Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy sports and betting needs.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

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