There are three NBA playoff games this evening, each pivotal to their respective series.
The Bucks and Pacers will open things up at 5:30 p.m. ET before the Clippers and Mavericks battle at 8 p.m. ET. Then, the Suns will look to avoid a 3-0 deficit against the Timberwolves in the nightcap.
Here are my best bets for tonight’s NBA games.
All NBA odds are current as of Friday, April 26.
NBA Best Bets Today
Suns 1H -3.5 (-115) vs Timberwolves
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
I featured the Suns’ first-half spread in my best NBA parlays for today, but it also feels like a strong straight bet.
Phoenix has its back against the proverbial wall heading into Friday’s Game 3 against the Timberwolves after dropping both games in Minnesota by double digits.
However, Kevin Durant and Co. are returning to Footprint Center, where they were 25-16 during the regular season, and will be spurred on early by the home crowd.
Look at what the Orlando Magic did in a similar situation last night, jumping out to a 61-45 halftime lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers and never looking back.
The Suns had the fifth-best first-half scoring margin during the regular season (+2.8), and they should come out extra motivated in this must-win contest.
Take Phoenix to cover this short first-half spread as your NBA bet of the day.
Clippers @ Mavericks: Under 213 Points (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Mavericks stole home-court advantage in their series with the Clippers with a 96-93 victory in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Kawhi Leonard (knee) returned to the Los Angeles lineup but scored just 15 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including missing all five of his three-point attempts. James Harden (2-for-10 from three) also contributed to LA’s struggles behind the arc, as the Clips made 8-of-30 shots from deep (26.7%).
Meanwhile, the Mavericks were much more efficient than they were in Game 1, making 14-of-33 threes (42.4%). Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving combined for 55 of Dallas’s 96 points, and P.J. Washington contributed 18.
- Read more on tonight’s playoff matchups in our best NBA prop bets today.
While both teams averaged over 115 points per game during the regular season, it’s clear that the defensive effort has picked up across the league.
We also haven’t seen the Clips or Mavs get much production from their benches in Games 1 and 2, which both came in Under 210 points.
I expect those trends to continue into Game 3.
NBA Best Betting Odds Today
Use our top NBA lines to place the best wagers throughout the NBA season:
