With around 11 games remaining for every team in the NBA, the race is on for final positioning in the Eastern and Western Conference standings. With the introduction of the play-in tournaments, more teams than ever are in contention for a shot to play in the postseason.
Let’s take a look at three such teams competing for a chance tonight.
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Leg #1. Hornets -7 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Don’t look now but the Hornets are officially back. After a red hot start to the season, the Hornets have extended their current win streak to five games and enter tonight on a 4-1 ATS streak. Miles Bridges leads the way for all scorers with 20 points per game, as LaMelo Ball continues to develop into one of the league’s best point guards.
For the visiting Knicks, six games separate them and the last spot in the play-in tournament, and four losses in their past six games have pretty much cemented their odds to be staying home this summer. Now, they take the court for the third night in four and draw a Hornets team that can score in droves. Look for the Hornets to pull away late.
Leg #2. Nets -2.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
After opening as 2-point underdogs, injury news has flipped this line on its head as the Nets are now -2.5 and still on the move. As of mid-day, Andrew Drummond (illness) has been improved to probable and there is reason to believe Seth Curry (ankle, questionable) might give it a go as well. Ja Morant (knee) is also listed as out for a red hot Grizzlies team that would have been slight favorites with him on the floor.
Now, the home Grizz must deal with a Nets team with Kyrie back on the floor and who has won six of their past seven games (5-2 ATS). With Kevin Durant starting to round the corner into postseason form, I expect the Nets to be too much for the short-handed Grizzlies tonight in Memphis.
Leg #3. 76ers-Lakers Over 229.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Speaking of postseason form, LeBron James is starting to turn on the accelerators, and while that may not translate to wins, point production is starting to increase. Winners of two of their past three (2-1 ATS), the Lakers have averaged 126 points per game while LeBron has averaged 37.3 over that span.
As far as the 76ers are concerned, the return of Joel Embiid (back) and James Harden (rest) will be a welcomed sight tonight for a team sitting just 2.5 games back from the top spot in the Eastern Conference. I like for the 76ers to pull away late, but the Lakers to do enough early to send this one over the total.
Total Odds: +595 at DK Sportsbook
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