NBA Best Bets: Tuesday, April 12th

Tuesday, April 12th sees the start of the 2021-22 NBA Play-In Tournament. The Timberwolves and Nets host the respective seven-eight matchups. First-round series with the Grizzlies and Bucks are on the line. We’ve made our picks for the two games below.

NBA Best Bets Tuesday, April 12th

• Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Under 228.5 at 1.95
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers: Clippers +3.5 at 1.91

Odds as at 12pm April 12th 2022. Odds may now differ.

Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Best Bet

Wed, Apr 13. 00:00 (UK)

Brooklyn are the 8.5-point favourite for the visit of Cleveland. The Nets wrapped the regular year up with four straight wins, including a victory against the Cavs in the penultimate game. There were just 225 points scored in that game, yet the points line is set at 228.5 for this one.

Cleveland is 21st in net rating since All-Star, slumping from playoff team to Play-In candidate. They needed a win over the Bucks on Sunday to avoid falling to nine. Injuries have accounted for much of their demise, and Jarrett Allen’s absence is a key factor. The Cavs concede 3.2 more points per 100 possessions when Allen isn’t on the floor. For all the deserved praise sent in Evan Mobley’s direction, Allen is the true anchor of this defence.

It’s no secret that the Nets are without Ben Simmons and Joe Harris. Steve Nash received a boost on Monday, however, with news that Goran Dragic is out of health and safety protocols. Despite some surprisingly strong defensive numbers over the last five games, the Nets remain an offence-first team. They will look to blow the Cavs away with their array of shooters alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland’s defence is weakened and the Nets offence is potent. While that would usually point us towards the over, neither of these teams have been profitable as over teams this season. The under has cashed in 55% of Cleveland’s games and in just over half of matchups featuring the Nets.

Both teams are below average in offensive rating over the last 10. This will be played at a postseason pace, and only one of their four regular season duels passed this line. Take the under.

• Selection: Under 228.5
• Best Odds: 1.95 (Coral)
• Stakes: 7/10

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers Best Bet

Wed, Apr 13. 02:30 (UK)

The Clippers are 3.5-point underdogs for this one. Minnesota surged down the stretch, posting a 15-8 record since All-Star and owning the best offensive rating in the Association since the turn of the year.

Los Angeles is a fascinating team. Ranked 25th in offence for the campaign and eighth in offence, their barrage of wings gives Ty Lue a lot of options. Their 105.2 defensive rating when Paul George is on the floor would be the best defence in the league. After a difficult March, they finished the regular year strongly with five consecutive wins.

George has been stellar since his return from injury, and we only need to rewind to last year to see how competitive the Clippers can be in the postseason even without Kawhi Leonard. The supporting cast is stronger this time too, with the additions of Robert Covington and Norm Powell making a notable difference.

Both teams face matchup challenges here. Chris Finch will likely mix up his approach to guarding George. Lue, who often favours smallball, has a dilemma with Karl-Anthony Towns. Minnesota’s offence should overpower the Clips if they can keep George under control, but that is easier said than done. While the T-Wolves are much improved on the defensive end, they had the fourth-worst defensive rating over the last 10.

This has the makings of a thriller. It should go to the wire, and clutch execution will decide which team faces Memphis in a best of seven. We like the value on the Clips to at least keep this close.

• Selection: Clippers +3.5
• Best Odds: 1.91 (Unibet)
• Stakes: 8/10

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