The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the edge of the playoffs, and the Memphis Grizzlies are still fighting for the 2-seed. (Getty)
Friday doesn’t have the greatest matchups, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to find value in the line. That starts with the game of the night with Oklahoma City going to Memphis. The Thunder will need a triple-double and then some from Russell Westbrook against the Grizzlies, but with what he’s done lately, it’s quite possible.
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:
Oklahoma City Thunder (+3.5) at Memphis Grizzlies
Russell Westbrook is amazing, but that’s no reason to lose your money on the Thunder in this game. Steven Adams sprained his ankle on Wednesday and is questionable for this game, which just adds to the injury issues for OKC. Sure, Tony Allen probably won’t play for Memphis, but that situation is a bit different. OKC still doesn’t have Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka.
In addition to the injuries, Westbrook is only 9-of-32 from the floor in his two games against Memphis this season. Go with the Grizzlies in a line that’s too short against a team that’s beat up and doesn’t play much defense.
The Pick: Grizzlies -3.5
Evan Turner has revived his career playing with Boston this season and is coming off a triple-double last game. (Getty)
Milwaukee Bucks (+5) at Boston Celtics (o/u 195)
This is a lesser Bucks team since giving up Brandon Knight for Michael Carter-Williams. There’s no questioning it, so their great ATS record on the road can’t be used. What can be used, is that the Bucks have lost 11 straight games on the road. The Celtics have been on a mini hot streak, taking care of the Hornets and Pacers in back-to-back games. Those teams along with these two are fighting for the playoffs. It looks like the Celtics with Brad Stevens at the helm, are playing the best basketball of teams fighting for the playoffs in the East.
The Pick: Celtics -5
Detroit Pistons (+9) at Chicago Bulls (o/u 195)
Both of these teams have injuries and neither one of them is playing well. However, it’s hard to ignore the beatdown the Pistons put on the Bulls only a couple weeks ago in Detroit in a 16-point win. Maybe the Pistons won’t win here, but this nine-point line seems like too much for a Bulls team that’s still trying to figure things out, plus they probably won’t have Kirk Hinrich available.
The Pick: Pistons +9
It’s that time of the year and Gregg Popovich has the San Antonio Spurs rolling. (Getty)
Denver Nuggets (+12) at San Antonio Spurs (o/u 208)
It’s that time of the year and the Spurs are cruising through teams right now, winning nine of their last 10. The only hope here is that the Nuggets don’t get some lame late-game cover. There’s nothing good to say about Denver except they scored 111 points the last time these teams met in San Antonio. Expect the Spurs defense to be better than that, while also scoring at ease against a below average defense.
The Pick: Spurs -12
Orlando Magic (-3) at Minnesota Timberwolves
These teams are not playing well and this is basically a battle of two tanking squads. But in no way should the Magic be favored on the road against anyone. Orlando is 1-9 ATS in their last 10 and Minnesota is 2-8 ATS. The point is, the Magic are losing big at home against teams like the Pistons and Nuggets. The last time they won a road game? January 12th! And they are favored here…
There will be some excitement for this game, as it’s two Rookie of the Year candidates against each other. Elfrid Payton vs. Andrew Wiggins.
The Pick: Timberwolves +3
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NBA Odds, Point Spreads, Lines & Picks for April 3