No better way to finish off the week than filling up the accounts thanks to five winners from our daily NBA picks.
The day kicks off with the #1 Nets and the #3 Bucks playing the first of a two game set between the sides, with bragging rights, the one seed and the season series on the line.
We have the winner of that, plus four more contests in our free NBA picks.
Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks – 3:30PM ET
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets get on the road to defend their crown on top of the East against the stacked, healthy and hungry Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets recently had their four game winning streak snapped with Durant sitting out against the Blazers while Milwaukee’s form has been far from consistent.
The most important factor heading into this game is whether Giannis Antetokounmpo (probable) suits up for this heavyweight clash. The reigning back to back MVP lasted just 40 seconds of Milwaukee’s 136-143 loss in Houston on Thursday then sat out their 108-98 win in Chicago on Friday night. The bucks used a full team approach to overcome his absence with Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton both scoring 22 points.
Giannis’ return is obviously vital for Milwaukee as Durant has been on fire, albeit in his limited availability so far this season. While he sat out against Portland on Friday, that was just due to rest with it being the second night of a back to back set. Over his last three games, since returning from a quad contusion, Durant has averaged 31 points while having a double double with two of those games.
Kyrie. Irving. (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/GsVRldzWSk
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 1, 2021
With him out of the lineup, the Nets weren’t able to overcome the red-hot Blazers at home. Irving put up 28 points while Jeff Green and Joe Harris combined for 28 points on 10/17 shooting. It ultimately wasn’t enough as their defense continues to let them down, giving up 128 points on Friday night.
Given Brooklyn’s defense is obviously a big issue for them and the fact that Milwaukee averages the most points per game across the league. A funny stat in this one is that when looking at average points, the Bucks at home and the Nets on the road average the exact same, both the highest averages in the league. While the Nets’ defense is an issue, Milwaukee’s ranks seventh in defensive rating and when playing at home, with everything on the line, we like them to get over the line.
NBA Pick – Milwaukee Bucks (-152)
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Portland Trail Blazers @ Boston Celtics – 7:30PM ET
Coming off one of their best performances in recent times, the Boston Celtics get straight back to it against a Portland Trail Blazers team that has won three straight by an average of over 20 points per game. Given how big their performance was on Friday night, there are big questions over how the inconsistent Celtics will be able to back it up again in this one.
After trailing by as many as 32 points in the first half and having their fans booing them off the court at half time, Boston turned things around in the second half. Jayson Tatum was the driving force behind the massive comeback, scoring 36 of his career high 60 points in the second half and overtime. The breakout star shot 20/37 (54.1%) for the game, willing his team over the line but we think they may have some struggles against Portland in this one.
Tatum played over 45 minutes in the clash while Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown both played over 43 minutes as well, meaning they will be up against it in this one. Portland have knocked off Indiana, Memphis and Brooklyn in their past three games, turning things around after looking like they were almost down and out just a week ago.
Damian Lillard was massive for the Blazers on Friday night in Brooklyn, putting up 32 points, nine assists and seven boards in their 128-109 win. Jusuf Nurkic was also able to take advantage of a weak defensive interior with a 23 point, 11 rebound double double. Portland now owns a top five offense in the league and will be looking to continue their hot streak against a defense that just gave up 140 points (128 in regulation) to a Spurs’ offense that ranks just 18th.
The Celtics have a tonne of momentum following their come from behind win over San Antonio but they have been one of the more inconsistent sides this season and Portland are playing incredibly at the moment. Three straight massive wins over teams in the play-in or higher is very impressive and we are backing them to do it again.
NBA Pick – Portland Trail Blazers (+108)
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Miami Heat @ Charlotte Hornets – 8PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets will be looking to make it two wins in as many nights, this time against the Miami Heat. With LaMelo Ball and Malik Monk returning to the lineup last night, Charlotte looked back to their usual self that surprised many in the first half of the season. They have some stiff opposition in their Southeast Division rivals, the Heat.
Miami have lost both of the previous matchups between the sides and will want to get one against Charlotte this season. This game also gives them a chance to win their third straight after beating the Spurs and the Cavs in their last two games. Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson combined for 42 points last night to guide Miami to a 124-107 win over Cleveland.
Unreal dime @MELOD1P 👀
(via @Hornets)pic.twitter.com/LYcE0odKi3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2021
Miami will be hoping that their blowout will allow them to be more rested against Charlotte, who are 6-7 on the second night of back to backs. Terry Rozier scored 29 and Miles Bridges had 27, but the story of the night was Ball’s return. The dynamic and exciting rookie finished with 11 points, eight assists and seven boards in the Hornets’ 107-94 win.
With Charlotte winning both of the previous matchups between the sides, it is hard to see why the result would go any other way in this one. Devonte’ Graham may be questionable for this one after being a late scratching last night, but with Ball back, this Charlotte side has a lot to be excited about and a lot to play for.
NBA Pick – Charlotte Hornets (+176)
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Philadelphia 76ers @ San Antonio Spurs – 8PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers have started the week 3-0 and will want to round it out with a win over the San Antonio Spurs in this one. They may have their work cut out for them as the Spurs are coming in with a massive need to win after throwing away a 32 point lead in Boston on Friday night.
San Antonio poured in a massive 77 first half points and led the Celtics by 29 points at the main break but gave up 80 points in the second half and then eventually couldn’t keep up in overtime, losing 140-143. DeMar DeRozan gave his all for the Spurs, putting up 30 points and 14 assists while Dejounte Murray had a great all around game with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Ultimately, the second half defense is inexcusable and something that will need to change against a Philadelphia said that has scored over 120 points in each of their three games this week. However, they may have caught a break as the Sixers average over seven points less per game when playing on the road this season.
Friday saw them hosting the Hawks and winning easily, 126-104. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris scored 18 points each but the best performer of the night was Dwight Howard. In his 17 minutes off the bench, Howard put up team highs of 19 points, 11 assists and two blocks.
While the Sixers might be a worse offensive team on the road, San Antonio is a worse overall team at home. The Spurs’ home record is just 13-19, averaging less points whilst also allowing more points at home, which is quite an unusual stat. Given the Spurs inability to close games out over their last few, we don’t see how they will be able to do it against a Philadelphia side that is in-form and needs wins to overcome Brooklyn on top of the conference.
NBA Pick – Philadelphia 76ers (-215)
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Toronto Raptors @ Los Angeles Lakers – 10PM ET
The King returned but the Los Angeles Lakers stumbled and they are looking to get back on track against the Toronto Raptors tonight. The Lakers seemed to be a bit out of sync in LeBron James’ first game in almost six weeks but they may have caught a break, playing the Raptors who had a tough loss in Utah last night.
After being up by as many as 10 in the first half, the Raptors suffered an offensive drought, managing just a 13-21 last quarter. They ended up losing 102-106 and now have to back it up tonight against a Lakers side that is desperate for a win.
Big fella going to WORK@Khem_Birch: 17 Pts | 9 Reb | 6 Ast pic.twitter.com/T60VIHCD9p
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 2, 2021
Despite James putting up 16, eight boards and seven assists in his return, along with Anthony Davis’ 22 points, 11 boards and five blocks, the Lakers couldn’t get the job done against the lowly Kings on Friday. They ended up losing 106-110 at home, shooting just 7/28 from deep in the game.
With no James or Davis, the Lakers went down to Tampa Bay and stole the first matchup between these sides. In saying that, Toronto didn’t have Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, but LA’s outs are clearly a step above. It was no surprise to see that there was some rust and teething issues with James back in the lineup, but we expect them to be better prepared tonight and come away with the win.
NBA Pick – Los Angeles Lakers (-300)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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