Nearly the entire NBA is playing on Friday night, and thus, the Saturday action is very light as college basketball takes center stage. Even so, there are two games on the docket, and for hardcore NBA bettors they are ones that will be researched closely.
Both of the games feature Eastern Conference teams and one clearly has more ramifications than the other when it comes to postseason seedings. However, both can become lucrative propositions for gamblers, which is just as valuable in NBA odds.
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Odds Analysis
The Brooklyn Nets have exceeded expectations this year and are in good shape to make the playoffs provided they don’t falter down the stretch. The problem is that they have a game against an elite foe on Saturday in the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets are one of four teams vying for three spots at the bottom of the Eastern Conference postseason standings and have an inside track. Milwaukee is at home in this one, where it has been an impressive 32-6 on the year.
There is one wrinkle to consider, as Milwaukee is so far ahead of the pack it is going to finish with the best record in the NBA. The Bucks have grand playoff visions and a couple of stars banged up in Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team could decide to rest one or both of them in this game, and if that happens, it will have an outsized effect on the spread. The scoring total will also be affected as the Bucks are one of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA at full strength, but could be less efficient in this one. Different teams have different philosophies when it comes to getting ready for the playoffs, so keep a close eye on any strategy that Milwaukee tends to use if it affects the availability of stars in this one. Brooklyn will be full steam ahead and it would love to secure a win on the road even though it will be an uphill battle.
The other Saturday game features the Chicago Bulls on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly is squarely in the playoffs and is already locked in to the No. 3 seed. Star center Joel Embiid recently sat for a few games for load management purposes so his availability should be monitored closely. Even if the 76ers choose to sit Embiid or another impact player with the playoffs approaching, there is a huge gulf in talent between these teams.
The Bulls have gone just 12-27 on the road this year and are likely just playing out the string at this point and waiting for the offseason to commence. The spread will be determined by the personnel on both sides for this game, but no matter where it comes in the 76ers are the clear choice to win this game and cover the spread, as Chicago simply won’t be able to compete. The scoring total could be lower than normal as the Bulls have trouble scoring and Philly may let off the gas late if it is cruising to the victory.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Bucks should be comfortable favorites in their game considering how deep and talented they are, even if a big name doesn’t play. Brooklyn would love to win, but that’s not going to happen. However, the Nets should be competitive enough to cover the spread. This is the best bet among the pair on Saturday’s action in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Brooklyn Nets to cover the spread against the Milwaukee Bucks
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