Best NBA bets for Sunday, April 7th
Welcome to my daily column on the best bets in the NBA! We deliver a ton of NBA content every day here at VSiN, so be sure to check back daily with Zach Cohen, who does a great job handicapping the league.
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NBA best bets
Record: 113-109-3 | Unit: -4.3 | ROI: -1.8%
*Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Clippers (-4, 220.5)
The Clippers are slowly but surely turning things around at the right time. After covering with a win over Utah on Friday night, Los Angeles is 7-3 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games. In their last six games at 5-1, the Clippers are holding their opponents to 110.6 points per 100 possessions. It's probably foolish to support this turnaround in Los Angeles, but I'm a stubborn guy.
Cleveland isn't in a good place right now. He is playing his fifth game in eight days without any rest. The team is 3-7 SU, 2-8 ATS in its last eight games and has been outscored by 8.6 points per 100 non-garbage time possessions during that span. Donovan Mitchell has been lackluster, playing just 38 minutes yesterday, but has averaged just 14.8 points on 35.2 percent shooting from the floor since returning from knee and nose injuries.
This play involves great risk. Just like last week against Sacramento, Los Angeles can completely handle a no-show in this contest. The Clippers also played somewhat poorly at home due to the larger sample size, but they weren't far behind in coverage with a telegraph win against the Jazz on Friday night. I'm a Los Angeles believer, so I'm going to put that faith on the line today.
Recommendation: Clippers (-3.5) – (-4) playable
Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors (-4.5, 225.5)
Washington interim coach Brian Keefe has the Wizards competing late in the season, and that could give them a big advantage tonight against another eliminated opponent. Washington is 5-3-1 ATS in its last nine games with blowout wins over Milwaukee, Chicago and Sacramento in that span. That competitive play could be a huge advantage for them here against Toronto.
Like others lately, the Raptors came away with a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. However, this win made him 0-5 ATS in Toronto. Since February 28, the Raptors are 2-17 SU/4-15 ATS. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are back on the floor, but those two won't be of much help to a defense that ranks 29th in non-garbage time defensive efficiency (121.3) over that span.
These two are not that far from each other in terms of power ratings. Both face similar rest situations. My hope is that Kyle Kuzma plays after missing the Wizards' loss to the Trail Blazers. Either way, there's some value in playing the underdog here.
Recommended: Wizards (+4) – Playable (+3.5)
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks (-2.5, 219.5)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is suspected of having a hamstring injury, making this play a big risk. Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks' loss to the Raptors on Friday night, so I think he will play today. Especially given the situation Milwaukee is in.
The Bucks have lost three in a row. Both are favorites with 12 points or more. Damian Lillard did not play in the first two losses and Antetokounmpo missed the third loss. If both are on the floor, bettors should be able to put in a better effort, especially against a team with a good matchup like the Knicks.
New York brought back OG Anunoby on Friday night, but this team is still in dire need of a shot creator. Milwaukee has a size advantage at almost every position. The Knicks are starting three guards, with Deuce McBride playing nearly 40 minutes per game. If there is a spot for the team to bounce back after three consecutive losses, it would be here.
Best bet: Bucks (-3.5) – Playable at (-3.5) or higher.
NBA best bets
Clippers (-3)
Wizards (+4)
Bucks (-3.5)
