Our NBA picks have had another massive night, going 3-2 on moneyline picks, 4-1 on spread picks and bringing in $309.34 profit for a $100 bettor across the 10 predictions!
We have another five games for you tonight and our NBA experts are confident that our NBA picks have more winners and can bring in some more profit for our followers!
Can the Pelicans snap their four game losing streak in Orlando? Will the Sixers be able to recover from a tough loss to the Suns last night? What does Anthony Davis’ return actually mean for the Lakers? We have all the answers, and winners, for you below in our NBA picks!
New Orleans Pelicans @ Orlando Magic – 7PM ET
A pair of sides looking to snap their losing streaks as the New Orleans Pelicans head down to take on the Orlando Magic. While Orlando, after trading away their starting roster, is expected to be losing games at this point of the season, New Orleans is fighting for a play-in spot but has been let down by their play lately.
Returning home against a severely undermanned Brooklyn team, the Pelicans were favored to win but lost 129-134. Zion Williamson dominated the interior once again, scoring 33 points on 74% shooting while Brandon Ingram had an efficient 27 points and five assists. Ultimately, it was their defense that let them down once again, giving up an average of 122.25 points over their four game losing streak.
Final stats vs. BKN@Zionwilliamson 33 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 14-19 FG@B_Ingram13 27 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb, 10-17 FG@naji_marshall 15 pts, 7 ast, 6 reb, 2 stl@ZO2_ 15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 6-11 FG@kiralewisjr 11 pts, 4 ast#Pelicans | @HUBInsurance pic.twitter.com/Av7GZhjyMe
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 21, 2021
They will be hoping that their defense can control a lacklustre Orlando offense that has lost three straight and nine of their last ten. Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr both scored 17 in the Magic’s 96-112 loss to the Hawks on Tuesday but the team shot just 39.5% from the field and 21.6% from deep.
Shooting numbers like those won’t suffice against a New Orleans team that averages the sixth most points per game and has the ninth best offensive rating in the league. The Pelicans are just 3.5 games back from the 10th seed with just 14 games remaining, so this is a must win game to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
NBA Pick – New Orleans Pelicans (-330)
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Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks – 7PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to return to the winners list after suffering heartbreaking losses to the Suns in each of their last games. The Bucks were stunned by Phoenix in an overtime thriller on Monday while the Sixers hosted the Suns last night and fell by three points.
With both Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons sidelined again, Joel Embiid had to do the heavy lifting for Philadelphia but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. The MVP hopeful had 38 points and 17 rebounds but also had eight of the Sixers’ 16 turnovers for the game.
There are questions whether he will play in this clash on the second night of a back to back set, with the playoffs the clear priority, but with the one-seed on the line then Philadelphia needs to win. Especially after losing two straight and against a Milwaukee team that is just 3.5 games behind them in the East, with Brooklyn sandwiched between the two teams in second.
Milwaukee’s loss to Phoenix was their second straight defeat as well, unable to overcome a controversial foul call that gave Devin Booker free throws to win the game. All three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday scored 25+ in the 127-128 loss, with the former being the standout with 33 points and eight rebounds.
Over their two game losing streak, Milwaukee have given up 128 on both occasions with their defense becoming a bit of a worry. Philadelphia on the other hand allows the seventh fewest points per game while holding the second best defensive rating. The Sixers’ defense should be able to keep them competitive in this one but with the uncertainty of whether Embiid, Harris and Simmons will play and the Bucks having had two nights off to prepare, we like the home side to pick up the win in this one.
**Update: Seth Curry and Tobias Harris return for the Sixers. Ben Simmons remains out and Joel Embiid will play on the second night of the back to back. Despite the return of Curry and Harris, Milwaukee should still win this game.**
NBA Pick – Milwaukee Bucks (-240)
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Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics – 7PM ET
The Phoenix Suns look to continue their Eastern Conference tear against the Boston Celtics tonight. After picking up wins in Milwaukee and Philadelphia, the Suns will be looking to continue their winning ways while handing Boston a second straight home loss.
The Celtics have had two nights off since their 96-102 loss to Chicago, hoping that the extra rest will hold them in good stead for this marquee matchup. Jaylen Brown did his best with 23 points on 67% shooting but ultimately didn’t have enough help. Jayson Tatum may have had a triple double but shot just 3/17 for his 14 points while committing four turnovers.
The Celtics had more turnovers and lost the rebound battle to a terrible Chicago side and now host a team that has the sixth best offense and fifth best defense in the league. A 26 point home loss to the Spurs had many worrying about their road trip against the East’s best, but Phoenix have come out with impressive performances so far.
Chris Paul last 7 games:
13.7 PPG
9.6 APG
0.4 TOV/G
46/44/88%He has 67 assists and 3 turnovers in that span. pic.twitter.com/N4nWX7hvgj
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 22, 2021
A one point win in Milwaukee was followed up by a three point win in Philadelphia last night with Chris Paul leading the way. It was an absolute masterpiece from the point god, finishing with 28 points on 59% shooting, adding eight assists and no turnovers.
The story of this one is who from the Celtics will be in uniform. They follow this clash with a showdown in Brooklyn tomorrow night and half of their rotation is currently on the injury report. Marcus Smart is set to return while Kemba Walker is listed as probable, after both missed Monday’s loss, but both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are just questionable to play.
Despite playing last night and the Celtics having two nights off, a clear advantage to Boston, Phoenix comes in with wins under their belt and a clean bill of health, something that should get them over the line in this one. Be cautious of Phoenix’s injury report closer to tip off, as they may rest players on the back to back set, but if the Suns bring the same team and energy from last night, they simply just win this.
**Update: Jae Crowder is out for Phoenix on the second night of the back to back, but the other four starters are playing. Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker are playing for Boston while Jaylen Brown is OUT. The loss of Brown should prove too much for Boston to replace and the Suns will keep rolling.**
NBA Pick – Phoenix Suns (-310)
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Charlotte Hornets @ Chicago Bulls – 9PM ET
With just a 4.5 game difference between the two sides, this Eastern Conference clash between the eighth seeded Charlotte Hornets and the 12th seeded Chicago Bulls has serious implications for the end of season standings. Both sides are having some injury issues at the moment, so each teams’ depth will be questioned in this clash.
Chicago’s more so after playing last night, a 105-121 loss in Cleveland. With Zach LaVine sidelined, Nikola Vucevic has been expected to step up but he did the exact opposite last night, scoring just nine points on 4/12 shooting. Lauri Markkanen was the standout performer with 16 points in his 21 minutes off the bench.
It was a really disappointing performance from the Bulls, especially after their win in Boston on Monday night. The worry is that this form could continue with Chicago being without their best player, them already slipping down the standings and being just 4-9 on the second night of back to backs.
PJ Washington was Charlotte’s leading scorer in their 97-109 loss in New York on Tuesday, finishing with 26 points off the bench. Terry Rozier had a nice all around game with 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds but the pair couldn’t overcome the poor shooting of both Miles Bridges and Devonte’ Graham, who combined for 9/26 shooting for the game.
This matchup is seriously disappointing with the likes of LaVine, LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward on the sidelines but one team has to come out on top. The Bulls average five points per game less when playing at home while Charlotte averages three points per game more on the road. While Chicago have slipped to a game behind Washington for 10th in the East and they may slip even further here. We like the Hornets to get the win on the road.
NBA Pick – Charlotte Hornets (+124)
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Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks – 9:30PM ET
Some positive news for the Los Angeles Lakers as Anthony Davis is set to play his first game since February 14th. His return to the lineup should give the Lakers a needed boost as they get on the road to take on the struggling Dallas Mavericks for a two game set to close out the week.
The Mavs picked up a much needed 127-117 win over Detroit last night, but prior to that they had lost four of their previous five games with Luka Doncic stating that he has been tired lately. Despite his previous statement, Doncic came out and dropped 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists last night but the worry is that he was one of three players who played at least 33 minutes and will have to back it up tonight.
Kristaps Porzingis is always a candidate to sit up one of a back to back set and after his 19 point, seven rebound performance in 33 minutes last night, it wouldn’t shock to see him sit out this one. The second matchup between the sides on Saturday the target game, especially with Dallas being just 4-7 on the second night of back to backs this season.
Anthony Davis will make his return tomorrow vs. Dallas after missing two months with a calf injury. pic.twitter.com/FtBihW2122
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 21, 2021
Los Angeles comes into this one after having the last two nights off since their 97-111 loss to the Jazz on Monday. The extra rest is a bonus for LA, not only welcoming back Davis but they are a league best 10-2 this season when playing with a rest advantage. The loss saw the Lakers have four different players score 15+ points, led by Talen Horton-Tucker’s 24 points off the bench.
There may be some questions over how Davis and Andre Drummond will go playing alongside one another, and those questions are enough for us to have worries over whether the Lakers will be able to get the job done here. With Doncic playing the way he is and James still on the sidelines for LA, Dallas will have the edge and that will be enough for them to come out on top. Again, another caution with the injury report given Dallas are notorious for resting players on one leg of a back to back, so keep an eye out and we will update this accordingly.
NBA Pick – Dallas Mavericks (-136)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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