There's all to play for on the final day of a phenomenal NBA season.
Let's take a look at three spread, moneyline and total plays to help you beat the books as we head toward the NBA playoffs:
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Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic
Matchup Page: Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic, 1p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +5 (-112) | +156 | O 214 (-110) |
| Orlando Magic | -5 (-108) | -186 | U 214 (-110) |
Pick: Magic ML -186, UNDER 214
Let's begin on the East side. There's all to play for as the Bucks battle the Magic in the 1pm ET time slot. Milwaukee aims to hold onto the two seed, with the New York Knicks pushing hard. Meanwhile the Orlando Magic will be desperate to avoid the play-in tournament in the midst of their most successful season in years.
Behind a breakout season from all-star Paulo Banchero, the Magic have won 29 of the 37 games (78.4%) in which they've been favored. While Milwaukee have gone just 3-10 SU as a ML underdog on the year. The Magic are also 43-21 when they allow less than 119 points. Doc Rivers' Bucks have scored just over 110 points per game while going 3-7 in their last 10 games, and will be without Giannis in this crucial contest.
I love the Magic to come away with the victory in a huge game for the once moribund franchise. I also love the UNDER here, with Orlando averaging just 110 points per game this season. Parlay both for +171 odds as part of our Sunday NBA Expert Picks.
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Matchup Page: Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves 3:30 ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns | +2 (-112) | +108 | O 217 (-110) |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -2 (-108) | -126 | U 217 (-110) |
Pick: Phoenix Suns ML
Expect a playoff atmosphere when the Suns meet the Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will be playing for a chance at the No.1 seed, while the Suns are trying to claw their way out of the play-in tournament.
Unfortunately for Minnesota, they've lost nine of the last 10 games in this series. The Suns have also covered the spread in nine of those contests including winning both previous matchups this season, and holding Minnesota to just 87 points last time out. Frank Vogel's defense has held the T-Wolves to under 30% shooting from deep in their last three meetings, and I like that trend to continue on Sunday.
Look for Phoenix to slow the pace against the much more athletic Timberwolves and execute from their halfcourt offense. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and co. have had little trouble scoring against Minnesota's top-ranked defense, hitting on nearly 50% of shots in their last three meetings including 41% from deep. Roll with the much more experienced Suns squad to pull off the slight upset. I'm also strongly leaning towards the UNDER here.
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans, 3:30 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | +3 (-112) | +120 | O 231 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | -3 (-108) | -142 | U 231 (-110) |
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers ML
New Orleans will look to avoid the play-in tournament with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Regretfully the Pels have lost four straight home games and take on a motivated Lakers squad.
Lebron James leapt through the air with the gusto of a man ten-years younger and slammed home a breakaway reverse to clinch the Lakers victory over Memphis on Friday. The ageless wonder is playing like a man possessed down the stretch, averaging 26.7 points, 8.7 assists and 7.6 rebounds over his last 10 games. In year 21! He continues to defy father time, and will look to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference play-in tournament.
Increíble jugada de LeBron James donde demuestra un IQ superior
— Lakers On 𝕏 (@LakersOnX) April 13, 2024
En lugar de atacar al portador del balón, calcula perfectamente el momento para interceptar el pase, anticipando el movimiento
Una jugada ganadora cuando más importaba pic.twitter.com/oA3aEVKg3L
Los Angeles will be pressing to avoid having to win two games to make the playoffs. Darvin Ham's squad are 7-3 in their last 10, averaging almost 120 points per game, and shooting nearly 49% from the field.
Without Brandon Ingram on the floor, the Pelicans have no hope of keeping up with that type of offensive onslaught. The Lakers have blown out the Pelicans twice already this season, with New Orleans only victory coming against a shorthanded Lakers squad. Bet on the Lakers to handle business at +120 odds as our final NBA expert pick of the regular season.
