NBA Play-In Tournament Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (4/18)
The final two games of the NBA Play-In Tournament will determine the No. 8 seeds in each conference. Let’s examine both games and dive into our best NBA bets for Friday, April 18th.
Friday's Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies (-6) | O/U 244 (-110/-110)
The Grizzlies’ most pressing question is Ja Morant’s status. He was injured in the game against the Warriors, and given how close that matchup was, they could have won if Morant had been in the game.
They still have scoring options. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team in points per game this season, while Desmond Bane had 30 points in the loss. If Morant’s ankle isn't 100%, you take away his ability to drive to the lane. The Grizzlies will need those guys to step up.
Rookie Zach Edey will have the tough task of slowing down Anthony Davis. He had a great stat line in his last game, scoring 14 points and recording 17 rebounds, but that was against Golden State. The Warriors don't have a strong inside presence, but Dallas is a different beast with Anthony Davis on the boards.
The Mavericks were hitting on all cylinders against the Kings, as their inside presence was dominant, and they were draining threes. Klay Thompson looked vintage, going 5-for-7 from behind the arc, and Brandon Williams was impactful, too, with 17 points in 18 minutes.
The Grizzlies might have some confidence coming into the game after destroying the Mavericks 132-97, but Davis or Thompson did not play in that game. The addition of them to this game could keep it close and make it exciting.
Pick: Mavericks +6 (-108)
Miami Heat (-1) vs. Atlanta Hawks | O/U 244 (-110/-110)
The Hawks have a chip on their shoulder coming into this game. Trae Young was visibly upset with the officiating in the last game against Orlando, which led to his ejection, so he could be fired up today.
Atlanta has the fifth-best scoring offense in the league, but it ran into a buzzsaw against Orlando’s top-rated defensive unit. It shot just 38.1% from the floor and 19% from three. Atlanta needs to move the ball around more and find the high-percentage shot. The Magic defense smothered it and forced contested shots.
Miami has a solid defense, but it will not bring as much pressure as Orlando did to Atlanta. They started that game hot against Chicago, scoring 71 points in the first half and holding a 24-point lead before coasting in the second half.
The Heat need Tyler Herro to play with the same intensity as the last game, where he scored 38 points, with 23 in the first half. They will keep this game close if they can match up with Atlanta’s perimeter shooting. Bam Adebayo also needs to have a strong presence inside.
Ultimately, you must trust the home team and their heavy offensive advantage. Atlanta can speed up this game, and for the Heat, which tends to play slower, it could have them on their heels, trying to play catch-up.
Pick: Hawks +1 (-110)