We have examined the schedule and selected the five games we know our fans want to watch and bet on! Don’t miss out on our in depth analysis and NBA picks for each of the five games below!
Brooklyn Nets @ Chicago Bulls – 2PM ET
The Nets head to Chicago to take on the Bulls in this eagerly anticipated matchup. James Harden’s side are 2nd in the East with a 34-15 record. Zach LaVine’s men are fighting hard in 10th as they own a 19-28 record. With the current All-Stars in the form of Harden averaging 25.9PPG and 11.1APG and LaVine on 27.4PPG and 4.7 APG the two stars are sure to light up this clash.
For Brooklyn they have won their previous four clashes in a row, albeit all against fairly average/poor teams. Whilst for Chicago they’ve gone down in six straight defeats. Their last victory came on the 3rd of last month as they beat the Pistons 100-86.
Honing the craft 🏀 pic.twitter.com/L2Sl9PYBh5
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 3, 2021
This is where some of the Bulls best players need to really face up to the difficult task ahead of them. One man who can help aid LaVine in that cause is big man Nikola Vucevic. The former Magic C scored 16PTS, had 8REB and 4AST in his side’s latest 7-point loss to the Jazz. And no doubt he’ll have to put up fairly strong numbers again here in order to give his side a chance of winning.
When it comes down to it, with recent additions such as Blake Griffin and Lamarcus Aldridge now residing in Brooklyn, they should just have too much power in this one.
NBA Pick – Brooklyn Nets (-142)
NBA Spread – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Points Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers – 3:30PM ET
This is the LA Derby but not as we know it. The reigning Champions are without LBJ as well as Anthony Davis. Andre Drummond has also been struggling lately as he limped off in his Lakers debut, whilst Jared Dudley didn’t feature in his sides latest 115-94 victory against Sacramento.
As for the Clippers, Paul George seems to miss games sporadically. Whilst in addition to him, in their latest 101-94 defeat vs Denver none of Rajon Rondo, Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka featured. They really could rename this the Decimation Derby!
The Clippers currently sit in 3rd in the West with a 32-18 record. While the Lakers are just a single win behind them in 4th. In the Clippers loss Terrance Mann was strong off the bench. In just under 27 minutes of playing time he produced 18PTS, 6REB and 2AST as the G/F put on a great show.
In LA’s win Dennis Schroder produced 17PTS to go along with 4REB, 8AST and 4STL. But it was Kyle Kuzma who stole the show in the absence of his MVP calibre teammates with 30PTS on 61.1% shooting. He also had 5REB and 3AST.
There is a lot riding on this clash for both teams and with the fear of falling further into the Wests abyss, no doubt each team will come prepared to play. It might not have glamour, but it’ll have toughness.
NBA Pick – Los Angeles Clippers (-650)
NBA Spread – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Points Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics – 6PM ET
LaMelo Ball is supposedly out for the season but that hasn’t stopped the Hornets firing on all cylinders as they currently sit 4th in the East. To put that into perspective, they have better records then all of the Heat, Celtics, Spurs and Warriors this season at 25 and 23!
While Boston is their opposition for this one in an encounter being contested at the TD Garden. The Celtics have encountered some real trouble as of late, having lost 6 of their past 10 games. Those defeats came against DAL 113-108, NOP 115-109, MIL 121-199, MEM 132-126, SAC 107-96 and CLE 117-110.
JB’s on a mission 😤 pic.twitter.com/axoa5zDVAn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 3, 2021
Analysing their roster star Guard Kemba Walker needs to put in more consistent performances, he’s had his moments for Boston but overall has been fairly average at best during his tenure with the historic club.
Last time out against the Rockets Walker scored just 11PTS. Prior to that against the Mavs he shot just 7/19 and went 2/9 from deep. If he’s going to show up against anybody it may as well be against the club where he forged his name as one of the great PG’s of the modern era.
With Charlotte also being not half bad on the road this season at 12-14, Boston may find them a tad too challenging in this one.
NBA Pick – Charlotte Hornets (+390)
NBA Spread – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Points Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
Golden State Warriors @ Atlanta Hawks – 7:30PM ET
Golden State just came off what could be arguably their worst ever loss as they were humiliated 130-77 by Toronto!!! In Q3 alone they just registered 14PTS, while they allowed the Raptors to pile on for 46. How can a modern-day NBA team allow this to happen? No Steph Curry, Draymond Green and obviously Klay Thompson hurt. But still OUCH!
Andrew Wiggins was their top scorer with just 15PTS and outside of that it was Jordan Poole and Nico Mannion with 10 each. This is part of a much larger problem for the Warriors this season as they have lost 6 of their last 7 clashes and are just a single win ahead of the Kings for the 10th and final play in spot in the West.
They now have to face Atlanta at the State Farm Arena with the Hawks currently owning the 6th seed in the East. They have also jumped up the standings a bit as of late. They’ve won 3 of their last 5 games, with the latest being a 23-point beating of New Orleans.
And when they last faced off against the Warriors not that long ago, they won with ease in what was a 16-point dub. John Collins lit the fuse in that one with 38PTS and 12REB. While Clint Capela had 15 boards and Trae Young 15 dimes.
Atlanta may well give them nightmares again here.
NBA Pick – Atlanta Hawks (+108)
NBA Spread – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Points Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
Orlando Magic @ Denver Nuggets – 10PM ET
Props deserve to go out to the Orlando Magic for what they’ve achieved lately. They may have an absolutely deadest terrible front office, but they’ve still balled out on the court despite no longer having both Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic in the fold.
The Florida-based side has gone 4-6 over their last 10 matches and just two games ago they beat the Pelicans 115-110. Prior to that it was the Clippers 103-96. In that NOP contest Wendell Carter Jr was exceptional for his new club as the former Bull and current C/F scored 21PTS off the bench to go along with 12REB. Terrence Ross also scored 19PTS in what was a strong game from the former Slam Dunk Contest winner.
The @RjHampton14 buzzer beater is your #ULTRAMoment of the game! pic.twitter.com/nEBHXfSszu
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 4, 2021
They come up against the Nuggets at the Ball Arena in Denver, a team who are currently 5th in the West and own a decent 14-9 home record this campaign. Denver have won 8 of their previous 10 clashes in a row and a win here would move them to just a victory off 3rd (depending on the LA Derby result).
Jamal Murray came up with 23PTS against the Clippers in his last match. Prior to that it was 30 vs Philly. And before that it was 17 vs the Hawks. He’s on a hot streak and doesn’t look like going cold anytime soon. He could be the difference maker here if the game proves to be closer than expected.
NBA Pick – Denver Nuggets (-1800)
NBA Spread – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Points Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NBA hub page for all your basketball needs.
Want more picks? We have just launched our Premium Picks service, and for a limited time only, it is free! *T&Cs Apply.
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
