Is something wrong with the Golden State Warriors? We keep thinking that Golden State will turn it on given their recent history, and the Warriors have been given the benefit of the doubt repeatedly over the course of the season. A stunning 35-point home loss as a 15.5-point favorite against the lowly Dallas Mavericks has given me cause for pause though. Maybe there is no fifth gear for Golden State after so much recent success, and that would create an abundance of value on anyone else to win the NBA title. That’s food for thought going into Sunday’s games.
NBA Opening Lines at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks (LAC -10, O/U 222.5)
The Clippers are trying to finish out of the No. 8 hole. They have essentially locked up a playoff spot after winning nine of their last ten, and now they are worried about seeding. They are tied with Utah and Oklahoma City for the fifth seed, but they would lose a tiebreaker with those teams at the moment. The Clip Show shouldn’t have any trouble with the Knicks in a Sunday noon tilt, but Western teams can struggle in early tips.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks (MIL -15, O/U 223.5)
Giannis Antetokuonmpo and the Bucks are back to looking like a wrecking ball. After a brief dip following the injury to Malcolm Brogdon, they hammered the Heat by 29 points the last time out and they are the biggest favorites of the day. Cleveland beat Milwaukee by five last week, and the Bucks are out to make sure that doesn’t happen again with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on the line.
Denver Nuggets at Indiana Pacers (DEN -1.5, O/U 210)
This is the most intriguing game of the day. The Nuggets are on a six-game winning streak, and they have a chance to move a game ahead of Golden State with a win. Indiana is returning home after a tough West Coast road trip where they lost to all four playoff teams they faced, and the Pacers are looking for a win to bolster their chances of hosting a likely first-round series with Boston.
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors (TOR -10.5, O/U 217.5)
Charlotte saved its playoff chances with a big win over Boston on Saturday, but now the Hornets are heading north of the border to take on Toronto. It’s not an optimal situation, and it’s unlikely they get the win. However, the Raptors’ Kyle Lowry is a game-time decision.
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans (HOU -9.5, O/U 226.5)
James Harden’s recent run has been otherworldly. Harden exploded for 57 points against Memphis on Wednesday, and he was even better in a win over the Spurs. He put up 61 on San Antonio in a win that has Houston peaking heading into the postseason.
San Antonio Spurs at Boston Celtics (BOS -2, O/U 220)
There are a lot of storylines heading into this game. After a few weeks of silence, Kyrie Irving publicly groused once again following the Celtics’ loss to Charlotte on Saturday, and the rumors of locker room dissension are in full force once more. Meanwhile, the Spurs look set to make the playoffs yet again, but they are underdogs here because of a 13-23 road record this season.
Detroit Pistons at Golden State Warriors (GS -12, O/U 216.5)
This Golden State team is incredibly frustrating. The Warriors are dominating teams on some nights, but other nights they are coming out flat and not recovering. This team is just 30-41-1 ATS this season, so it’s really hard to trust them as a double-digit favorite anymore, especially after they played last night.
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers (SAC -3.5, O/U 228.5)
Sacramento hasn’t packed it in yet, and the Kings are keeping their slim playoff hopes alive with Marvin Bagley III back in the lineup. That has them in an unfamiliar spot as a favorite on the road against the Lakers.
NBA Betting Picks
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
