Top NBA Picks and Predictions for April 6 (Suns, Celtics Are Two Favorites to Trust)
The playoff race is heating up down the final stretch of the NBA season, and we've got several playoff teams in action tonight.
BetSided's Peter Dewey, Donnavan Smoot and Reed Wallach have you covered with the top plays in the NBA on Wednesday, with all odds via WynnBET:
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Prediction and Pick
As much as I don’t want to back OKC with the tank in full force… 17.5 points??
Are we sure?
I know the Jazz are a much better team, but Utah had lost six of seven games heading into Tuesday, and it is just 4-7-1 against the spread in back-to-backs this season.
The Thunder are 7-6 against the spread in back-to-backs this season, and I think it’s worth noting that 10 of their last 11 games have been decided within 17 points, with an 18-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks as the only outlier.
Utah’s offense may make this tough on the Thunder, but there’s no way I’m laying 17.5 points with this Jazz team after going to OT on Tuesday.
Lean: Thunder +17.5 (-108) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction and Pick
The Suns are the best team in the league and that's not even a debate. The last 10 games have been good to Phoenix. They've gone 8-2, have a 5.8 net rating (5th in the league), and are on a winning streak against the Clippers. Phoenix has won the last two matchups, and I think the Suns extend that streak tonight.
Los Angeles, especially with Paul George back, have been on par with Phoenix in the last five games. Despite an average 3-2 record, their net rating is 5.6 (8th in the league) and its offensive rating is secong in the league.
The Clippers are a credible threat tonight with a star available, but I'm going to side with the Suns. They rested their stars two nights ago, ran through the Lakers and will do the same to the Clippers. Deandre Ayton has a clear advantage on the inside and if Chris Paul can stay on the floor, it's a quick and easy game.
Lean: Suns ML (-115) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction and Pick
The Bulls are 2-20 this season vs. the Celtics, Heat, Bucks, and 76ers. A staggering stat for a team that has clinched a playoff berth already. I expect them to fall to 2-21 as well given the team's struggles of late and their injury woes.
First, Zach Lavine sat out of the team's loss to the Bucks on Tuesday as he manages a knee issue, so keep an eye on his status for this one, but the team has been hapless without Lonzo Ball, who had a setback in his ramp up from knee injury. His year is likely over now, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
There is still a final decision to be made, but there's less and less optimism that Lonzo Ball will return this season, sources tell ESPN. As Billy Donovan said, there's a conversation among the Bulls and Ball's reps in the coming days. https://t.co/24soc5gDpd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 5, 2022
The Bulls go from the best record in the East with Ball on the floor to 8th with him off of it. An emerging defensive star, the guard will be missed to defend the likes of Jayson Tatum (31 points per game since the All-Star break) and Jaylen Brown on Wednesday night.
I like the Celts to win in a blowout, I'm fine laying the number with the road favorite.
LEAN: Celtics -6.5 -- Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!