The Pelicans are suddenly set to grab the final seed in the Western Conference Playoffs and Anthony Davis is the reason why. (Getty)
The Spurs and Rockets are two of the hottest teams in the NBA and they face off Wednesday night. Will they put everything into this game, or will the Spurs decide to rest some guys off a back-to-back? The Pelicans are now the eight seed in the West, but another win would be nice for them. The Grizzlies won’t give it to them for free, though. These picks have come out on top for six straight days, read below to see if that will change to seven.
All odds are provided by sports books monitored by OddsShark. For odds on all of today’s games, click here.
Here are today’s picks:
Houston Rockets (+6.5) at San Antonio Spurs
If the Rockets get swept by the Spurs in tonight’s and Thursday’s game, they could be looking at a dreaded 3-6 matchup against them in the first round of the playoffs. Both teams are playing well at an important time, but maybe more so the Spurs. They have one home loss in the last two months (overtime to Cleveland) and they’ve covered in a lot of those. The Spurs have won EIGHT straight games by double digits.
The Rockets have been better on the road this year compared to past years, but with the Spurs rolling, that’s not a given. The reason this line isn’t any bigger is because San Antonio is coming off a back-to-back (OKC last night). The last time the Spurs had a road-home, back-to-back, they beat the Thunder 130-91. However, keep an eye on the Spurs inactives as Tony Parker left Tuesday’s game with an Achilles issue.
The Pick: Rockets +6.5
New Orleans Pelicans (+5) at Memphis Grizzlies
This is a tough stretch for the Pelicans, who need a win if they want to stay the eight seed. They are coming off an important win last night against the Warriors and need to keep it going. The Grizzlies haven’t been playing that great lately, but they will be coming off three days of rest, whereas the Pelicans played last night. In the three previous meetings, the home team won all of them.
The Pelicans will still have some fight in them, and the Grizzlies haven’t blown out many teams lately, even at home.
The Pick: Pelicans +5
Atlanta Hawks (+5) at Brooklyn Nets
On a back-to-back, how much will the Hawks want this game? Probably not a whole lot, with Paul Millsap missing his second straight game. The Hawks took care of the Suns last night, but now they travel to a team fighting for the playoffs.
The Nets took care of a depleted Trail Blazers team last time out and could do the same again if the Hawks decide to rest any of their guys. Atlanta has lost two straight road games against teams with losing records (Charlotte and Detroit).
The Pick: Nets -5
Boston Celtics (-1) at Detroit Pistons
With at least two days of rest, the Pistons have been a really solid team as of late, especially at home. In fact, the Pistons have won five straight home games and all of them have been against decent teams. The Pistons will also be getting Greg Monroe back for this game.
While the Celtics are fighting for their playoff lives, they have still lost six straight games in Detroit. Considering the Pistons aren’t playing to lose, they are a nice pick as home underdogs here.
The Pick: Pistons +1
Toronto Raptors (+3) at Charlotte Hornets
After a loss last night, the Hornets need this win at home. But it’s not a given at all, considering their injury issues. The Raptors are still fighting for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs so the edge goes to them.
The only thing is that Charlotte has had Toronto’s number in each of the first two meetings earlier this year. Of course, that was with Al Jefferson on the court.
The Pick: Raptors +3
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NBA Odds, Point Spreads, Lines & Picks for April 8