Top NBA Betting Picks & Predictions of the Week – April 2nd Edition

You might think that the loss of Joel Embiid (orbital fracture, concussion) through possibly the first series of the playoffs might have scuttled the Philadelphia 76ers’ chances. However, missing Embiid hasn’t slowed them down a bit, as they now ride a 10-game winning streak and still hold fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Boston has won six in a row to close in on Toronto, now just two games back for the top seed, and Detroit has won five in a row but are still four games behind Milwaukee for the eighth slot in the conference. In the Western Conference, Houston suffered a rare loss but still sit six games ahead of Golden State for the top seed. San Antonio has won eight of ten (despite still missing Kawhi Leonard) to move into fourth in the West, sliding ahead of Oklahoma City. In New Orleans, the loss of DeMarcus Cousins is taking its toll, as the Pelicans have lost four straight and now are just a game ahead of Denver for the final playoff position. Take a look at our NBA betting picks for this week’s action in the Association.

Top NBA Betting Picks & Predictions of the Week – April 2nd Edition

NBA Power Rankings: The Ben Simmons Sixers are thriving https://t.co/QXNzgL5bT2

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 2, 2018

Tuesday, April 3

Toronto at Cleveland (7:00pm ET, TSN / FSOH)

The Toronto Raptors may lead the Eastern Conference, but they are stumbling down the stretch, losers of four of their last seven. Those losses have come at home against Oklahoma City, at Cleveland (by three), at home against the lowly Clippers, and in Boston on Saturday night. Despite the fact that the Celtics are still missing Kyrie Irving, they were able to get 25 points and nine boards from Marcus Morris and overcome an early deficit to take down the Raptors. Now Toronto heads to their nemesis — the Cleveland Cavaliers. After an embarrassing 19-point loss in Miami last weekend, the Cavaliers have run off three wins in a row, albeit none against impressive opponents. They beat Charlotte by 13 on the road, escaped New Orleans at home by five, and needed a late rally to put down Dallas on Sunday in a 98-87 win that saw LeBron James’ 17th triple-double of the season. The Cavs were missing point guard George Hill (left ankle sprain) and Kyle Korver (right foot pain) for the Dallas game, and you’ll want to check injury reports for their availability before locking in your wager. Even so, with the Raptors floundering a bit, I don’t see them beating Cleveland on the road. NBA Betting Prediction: Cleveland 128, Toronto 121

San Antonio at L.A. Clippers (10:30pm ET, TNT)

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season, demolishing the conference-leading Houston Rockets by a 100-83 score on Sunday. The Spurs put an end to an 11-game Houston winning streak and held the Rockets to their lowest scoring output of the season. The Rockets were cold from downtown, nailing just seven shots from behind the arc. The Spurs got 23 points and 14 boards from LaMarcus Aldridge and 21 points from Rudy Gay in the win. The Los Angeles Clippers are headed for the lottery in the off-season, but they have still taken down some solid opposition as of late. They have won four of seven, but those four have come against Milwaukee (twice), at Toronto, and at Phoenix (well). The Clippers took a home loss against Indiana on Sunday, but they led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. With the Spurs starting to heat up, though, can the Clippers take down another playoff-bound foe? NBA Betting Prediction: San Antonio 102, L.A. Clippers 97

Thursday, April 5

Golden State at Indiana (7:00pm ET, CSNB / FSMW)

The injury bug continues to plague the Golden State Warriors, as guard Patrick McCaw was rushed to a hospital after a scary fall in the Warriors’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Andre Iguodala continues to miss Stephen Curry (knee) and Andre Iguodala (knee) as well, leaving Kevin Durant as the team’s lone star. He was enough against Sacramento and then against Phoenix, but the team had dropped four of five before that, losing in San Antonio and then at home to Utah (by 19), Indiana (by 11) and Milwaukee (by 9). The Warriors begin a road trip in Oklahoma City (who has already drubbed them twice this season with Curry in the lineup), and then they head to Indiana on Thursday night. The Pacers have won five in a row, although their only impressive victory in that streak was the one at Golden State, as the rest took place against non-playoff foes. In their win over the Clippers on Sunday night, Victor Oladipo (angling for his own MVP consideration) put up 30, and Myles Turner added 24 points. With this many Warriors on the shelf, can they turn the tables on a Pacer team that beat them at home? NBA Betting Prediction: Indiana 96, Golden State 90