NBA Playoffs Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (4/22)
We’ve got three NBA playoff games on the schedule tonight. However, only two will be televised on TNT. Therefore, I looked at each game on TNT and provided a best bet for each.
Let’s get right to it.
Tuesday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies were blown out 131-80 in Game 1. Yet, they seem confident they’ll be able to even the series at one tonight. Ultimately, the Grizzlies have been active on the offensive glass since the NBA Play-In Tournament. But they’ve also turned the ball over 17.2% of the time in the last three games. Against the Thunder, the Grizzlies gave up possession 20.3% of the time. If shots don’t go up, it doesn’t matter how good a team is on the offensive glass. The Grizzlies aren’t getting opportunities to even put in work on the offensive glass.
Plus, the Thunder were terrific at keeping the Grizzlies away from the foul line. They also held Memphis to a 37% effective field goal percentage. Memphis doesn’t have the depth or a true star that can carry them against the Thunder. Ja Morant is a great ball player, but he’s no leader.
Meanwhile, the Thunder dropped 139.2 points per 100 possessions against Memphis. They got anything and everything they wanted, shooting an effective field goal percentage of 64.5%. The Thunder were also active on the offensive glass, bringing down 35.3% of offensive rebounds and only turned the ball over 12.7% of the time.
The Thunder are everything the Grizzlies wish they were. Don’t be surprised when the Thunder blow out the Grizzlies for a second consecutive game. I’m on Thunder -14.5.
Pick: Thunder -14.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves took home a win in Game 1, earning a 117-95 victory on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Timberwolves are a matchup problem for the Lakers. Minnesota didn’t struggle to score the entire night, adding a 64.2% effective field goal percentage while hitting 136.1 points per 100 possessions in the win.
That said, the Lakers still did a good job limiting Minnesota at the foul line. Plus, it’s probably unlikely the Timberwolves explode for another 21 threes on the road against the Lakers in Game 2.
Ultimately, I think the Timberwolves win this series. I’ve said this a lot. But I also expect this series to be back and forth, and the Lakers seriously can’t afford to lose back-to-back games at home in this series. After all, the Lakers are 19-22 on the road, so going down 2-0 would be incredibly challenging for the Lakers to come back from.
Therefore, I’ve got them earning a win tonight against Minnesota. The Lakers need to win the foul shooting battle again. They’ll also need to perform better on the glass and, of course, hit more shots.
The Lakers beat the Timberwolves twice in the regular season. In both wins, the Timberwolves were held to 103 points or fewer. The defense needs to shine. Luka Doncic has a lot to prove on the defensive end in the first place. Let’s bet Lakers -5.5.
Pick: Lakers -5.5 (-112)