Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Suns-Mavericks OVER Has Value, Heat Still Favored In Philly)
After a day off of playoff basketball, the NBA has returned. Tonight, the Suns and Heat both look to take commanding 3-0 leads. With their backs against the wall, let’s see if the Mavericks and 76ers can get a win at home.
BetSided’s Peter Dewey and Reed Wallach have you covered with their best bets for the games, via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Suns vs. Mavericks Prediction and Pick
Phoenix has reaffirmed our prior beliefs that they are the clear side in this series, staving off all of Doncic's offensive heroics, and picking the outmanned Dallas defense on the other end en route to convincing victories. The Suns shot 56.8% from the field in the pair of games, gashing the Mavs defense at every turn.
Game 2 was back and forth for the most part with Doncic pouring in 24 points in the first half, but his usage rate was sky high at 45% in the first 24 minutes, leaving him exhausted by the time the second half came around. The Suns began to target Doncic in every action on the defensive end, tiring him out on the offensive end as Dallas couldn't get any help from the likes of Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie (combined 6-of-22).
While I think the Suns take care of business, Game 3 is typically the game where the team down 0-2 on their way home comes out swinging, as evident in the fact that the Mavericks are 2-point favorites in the first half despite being 1 point underdogs for the game.
The Mavs are maximizing their strategy of being a 3-point-centric offense, but the team is simply not talented enough around Doncic. The team can continue to hoist from deep, 33/80 (41.2%) through the first 2 games, and hang in games but it's not enough to actually win. The game was close to start the fourth quarter before the Suns broke it open with a 40-26 fourth quarter.
After a Game 1 total of 214.5 and Game 2 total of 217.5, this Game 3 total is 219.5, but I still think there's room to go here. The totals came in at 235 and 238 in the first two games. With the Mavs preference for 3-point shots and Luka Doncic buckets while also not having an ability to slow down the Suns offense, I think we see another total push 230.
LEAN: OVER 219.5 – Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
Heat vs. Sixers Prediction and Pick
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, there is optimism that Embiid will be able to return for one of these games in Philly.
While the line in this game certainly makes it seem like he will play in Game 3, you may be better off waiting for his official status to see if you can get Miami as an underdog.
That being said, I think the Heat will win this game regardless.
Yes, Embiid is a great player, but he’s going to be at less than 100 percent against a top-five defense that has already shut down Harden in this series.
Both of these teams love to play at a slow pace, but Miami has way more options offensively to bet the Sixers, and Embiid may not be as effective protecting the rim if he does return.
I’m riding with the Heat until they give us a reason not to trust them.
Lean: Heat -1 (-108) – Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.