Our free NBA picks are out for Wednesday, April 13th, 2022! Make sure you check our expert NBA picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free NBA picks for the two play-in games on today’s schedule!
Charlotte Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks – 7pm ET
The Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks will face off against each other in the first play-in game of the day. Leading into the play-ins the Hornets had won their last three games in a row, which included wins over the Magic, Bulls and Wizards. The Hawks had split their last four games, but had won seven of their last nine.
Jeffery Thomas
The first game for our Wednesday slate is the play-in game between two young and entertaining teams in the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. Both teams posted 43-39 records but the Hawks got the home game by way of a tiebreaker (having a better divisional record). The two teams met four times this season, with only one of the matchups being decided by single digits. The Hawks won by margins of 10 and 22 points, while Charlotte won by 3 and 10 points. Both teams are led by fun young point guards who will surely be around the top of the league for a long time. LaMelo Ball was rookie of the year last season and a first time All-Star in 2022, while Trae Young led the NBA in total points and assists for the season. This one sets up to be must-see TV and a true toss up.
The Hawks were a pretty good team at home, going 27-14 and these fans sure know how to bring the energy in these situations after willing their team to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Charlotte had a mediocre road record of 21-20 and hasn’t really thrived in this type of situation yet as a group of young guys. They were in the play-in last year but were bounced and I see a similar fate for them this time around. Trae Young will be the best player on the floor by far and having that advantage alone is often enough to carry a team to victory. I’m not sure what will be in store for the Hawks this year and how far they will go but I do see them securing a spot in the dance with a home victory on Wednesday.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Atlanta Hawks (-215)
Noah Dunlap
Wednesday’s slate in the NBA play-in world gives us the 9-10 matchup from each conference. It starts off with the Eastern Conference matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks, in a game that should feature plenty of points, as neither team is known for their defense. Charlotte comes in as winners of their last three, which shows the team they could’ve been, if they had put more effort in on the defensive side of the ball. With LaMelo Ball running the point, there’s no question the offense is going to score, and probably be efficient in doing it, but that does nothing for the other side of the floor.
Now they take on an Atlanta team that is in a similar situation. This is the team that made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, on the shoulders of their point guard Trae Young, and there’s no question that he can take over at any given time, especially as they’ve been playing much better lately, having won seven of their last nine. The problem is that they also often lack energy on the defensive side of the ball. This game is going to come down to who puts in more effort on defense, and I think that ends up being the Hawks in this one. I like Trae to have a big day, and for a guy like Clint Capela to play a major role too, leading Atlanta to a close win at home.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Atlanta Hawks (-215)
San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Pelicans – 9.30pm ET
We wrap the day off with a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams are coming into this play-in game on losing streaks, as the Spurs have lost their last three in a row, to the Timberwolves, Warriors and Mavericks, while the Pelicans have lost their last two in a row, to the Grizzlies and Warriors.
Jeffery Thomas
Interesting matchup in the second play-in game as we get the 10 seeded San Antonio Spurs traveling to New Orleans to face the 9 seed Pelicans. The Spurs interestingly enough won 3 of the 4 matchups head-to-head and took advantage of New Orleans missing their top scorer from last year, Zion Williamson, all season. New Orleans’ trade for CJ McCollum at the trade deadline has helped fill the void as he’s brought a lot of scoring ability and veteran leadership to an otherwise inexperienced group led by a rookie head coach in Willie Green.
This Spurs team can’t be overlooked though, with arguably the greatest coach of all-time in Gregg Popovich and a young group of talented guys led by All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate Dejounte Murray. San Antonio won both matchups in New Orleans and won’t be scared of the moment. As I’ve mentioned coach Pop is one of the best ever and has seen it all when it comes to playoff environments, and I believe he will have his team ready. The Pels may have a slightly better roster but it’s nothing that should have anyone scared off the Spurs and I personally think 5 points is a little too much respect to them. I think the Spurs keep this one close and cover on the road.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: San Antonio Spurs +5.5 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
The Western Conference 9-10 matchup doesn’t give us two teams with quite the late success or momentum coming in, as San Antonio lost their last three to close out the regular season, after a hot streak got them to this point in the first place. Dejounte Murray is the key to the Spurs success, as if he’s playing well they have the ability to be in virtually any game, but if he’s off (which could be possible, seeing as he missed about a week recently due to illness) they could easily struggle. New Orleans didn’t do any better to close out the year though, as they lost their last two to end the regular season, and now look to turn things around here in the play-in.
This Pelicans team has been in a weird spot all year, as they’ve been without Zion Williamson for the entire year, and it remains to be seen whether he will ever suit up for the Pels again. They’ve gotten to this point on the shoulders of Jonas Valanciunas, and CJ McCollum, who was acquired at the trade deadline, and they’ll need both to keep things going in this one. In the end, I like New Orleans here, as I think the size they bring to the table, even without Zion, proves to be enough. It’s a close one, but Jonas and Brandon Ingram have big days, getting the Pels at least one more game.
Noah’s NBA Pick: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5 (-110)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
