NBA Odds: Suns-Lakers, Warriors-Kings, Bucks-Grizzlies (4/7/23)

Forbes

07 April 2023

NBA Odds: Suns-Lakers, Warriors-Kings, Bucks-Grizzlies (4/7/23)

The playoffs are almost here, and NBA games are high-stakes affairs with spring in the air.

The best NBA betting sites offer many ways to wager on the NBA, including moneylines, spreads, and over/unders. Those are the traditional ways to bet on basketball. You can also wager on NBA futures.

Here’s a look at the NBA games for Friday, April 7, 2023.

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.

Miami Heat (43-37) vs. Washington Wizards (34-46)

Miami comfortably handled the Philadelphia 76ers in its last game, winning by double-digits behind big games from Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler. The Heat are still one game back of sixth place with just two games left in the 2022-23 regular season, so there is plenty to play for. Kyle Lowry will be the only rotational player out for Miami in this one, while Washington should rest many of its key players.

After being eliminated from playoff contention, the Wizards have shut down their best players for the 2022-23 regular season. Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, Kristaps Porzingis, Monte Morris and Bradley Beal will be unavailable for these last two games as Washington tries to get into a better position for the 2023 NBA Draft.

Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Heat -4.5 (-110), Wizards +4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Heat -190, Wizards +160
Total: Over/Under 217.5 Points (-110/-110)

Detroit Pistons (16-64) vs. Indiana Pacers (34-46)

Detroit’s awful season has just two games left, but it at least has something to look forward to next year with a top draft pick coming in and Cade Cunningham returning to the starting lineup. The Pistons will continue to miss Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, Alec Burks, Hamidou Diallo and Rodney McGruder for this matchup with Indiana.

The Pacers had a disappointing second half of the 2022-23 season; however, they will again be in line for a top-10 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, adding to a roster that already has a great deal of young talent. Indiana has shut down Tyrese Haliburton for the remainder of the year, as Indiana has just two games left and no shot at the postseason. Further, Myles Turner is still surprisingly listed as questionable ahead of this game but hasn’t played in a while, so he will probably rest, too.

Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Pistons +7 (-115), Pacers -7 (-105)
Moneyline: Pistons +230, Pacers -275
Total: Over/Under 232.5 Points (-110/-110)

Houston Rockets (20-60) vs. Charlotte Hornets (26-54)

Houston’s last outing was surprising, to say the least, as it decimated the Denver Nuggets. Denver had nearly its entire rotation healthy, yet the Rockets were able to pull away in the fourth quarter and win by 21 points. The Rockets will look to grab another win against Charlotte to turn this momentum into a two-game winning streak, as they are already locked into having some of the best odds to land Victor Wembanyama in this year’s draft.

Charlotte had won three games in a row before dropping its past three; this has been an inconsistent team all season, and it certainly does not help that it is missing LaMelo Ball, an All-Star point guard. The Hornets have lost by at least 20 points in their past three games, and it looks like they are throwing in the towel now. They have been out of the playoff picture virtually the entire season.

Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Rockets -4.5 (-105), Hornets +4.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Rockets -180, Hornets +155
Total: Over/Under 229 Points (-110/-110)

Toronto Raptors (40-40) vs. Boston Celtics (55-25)

Only two games remain for the Boston Celtics, including this one, but they are stuck in second place, as Milwaukee has first secured. Still, as of Friday afternoon, the C’s have a head-scratching injury report that does not yet include Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. While both players could be late scratches, this is still somewhat of a surprise. Regardless, Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart are questionable for this game.

Toronto’s late-season surge has helped it climb to ninth place in the Eastern Conference. While this is likely a disappointing regular season to most fans, the Raptors will at least be able to compete in the play-in games, with their first matchup coming against Chicago. The injury report for this game against Boston is reasonably clean, as Otto Porter Jr is the only one listed out.

Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: TD Garden (Boston, MA)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Raptors -1 (-110), Celtics +1 (-110)
Moneyline: Raptors -115, Celtics -105
Total: Over/Under 222.5 Points (-110/-110)

Orlando Magic (34-46) vs. Brooklyn Nets (44-36)

With just two games to play, Brooklyn has a narrow one-game lead on Miami for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, which is notable because the team that finishes sixth does not have to compete in the play-ins. The Nets have a considerable motive to win this game and should deploy everyone they usually do to get a much-needed win against Orlando. Ben Simmons should be the only player to miss tonight’s game.

Orlando will finish its regular season with two games on the road after dropping back-to-back home games against a tough Cleveland Cavaliers team. The Magic have played over .500 for most of the season; however, they started so poorly that there was little chance for them to save it. Still, they might decide to phone it in, as Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris and Wendell Carter Jr are all questionable.

Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Magic +11.5 (-110), Nets -11.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Magic +470, Nets -625
Total: Over/Under 218.5 Points (-110/-110)

Philadelphia 76ers (52-28) vs. Atlanta Hawks (41-39)

Philadelphia’s terrific season will finish with two road games, including this one against Atlanta. Like many playoff-bound teams, the Sixers are likely to rest their stars for this game, as having them play only risks unnecessary injury, and they are stuck in their position in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton and Tyrese Maxey have been ruled out, but don’t be surprised if James Harden is a late scratch, too.

The Hawks have strung together three-straight wins, marking the first time in a long time that they have put together any notable streak, whether with wins or losses. Atlanta still has something to play for, as it is only one game ahead of Toronto with two games left to play in the regular season. Eighth place is crucial because even if a team losses the first game, it gets to play a second game to try and squeak into the playoffs. De’Andre Hunter is listed as questionable, but the rest of the roster appears healthy.

Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: 76ers +11 (-105), Hawks -11 (-115)
Moneyline: 76ers +480, Hawks -645
Total: Over/Under 236 Points (-110/-110)

New York Knicks (47-33) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (41-39)

The New York Knicks have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the All-Star break, boasting the second-highest winning percentage of any team. New York’s season was saved on the backs of Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, who each stepped up and played All-Star-caliber basketball. Unfortunately, both players have been ruled out for this game, but the Knicks have fifth place locked up, so it is not too big of a deal; they just need to be healthy next week when the playoffs start.

New Orleans has quietly been terrific in its past 10 games, going 8-2 in that stretch. The Pelicans have had a roller coaster of a season but still are in the playoff picture. Now, they are just one game behind sixth place, with two games left, so this matchup with New York is a must-have win if they want to ascend any higher. Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado have been ruled out, but everyone else should be ready.

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Knicks +8.5 (-110), Pelicans -8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Knicks +300, Pelicans -365
Total: Over/Under 223 Points (-115/-105)

Memphis Grizzlies (50-30) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (58-22)

The Memphis Grizzlies have nearly locked up second place in the Western Conference, which would give them home-court advantage until the Western Conference Finals, assuming Denver made it there, too. The only thing Memphis needs to do now is grab a win in one of its last two games, and this is a solid spot to do it, as Milwaukee will rest most of its key players. The Grizzlies will still miss Steven Adams, who is set to receive an update on his knee any day.

Milwaukee has first place locked up in the Eastern Conference, giving it no reason to deploy critical players for the last two games in the 2022-23 regular season. The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Grayson Allen for this matchup with Memphis, so don’t expect them to play with the same chemistry as they usually do.

Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, WI)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Grizzlies -8 (-110), Bucks +8 (-110)
Moneyline: Grizzlies -320, Bucks +265
Total: Over/Under 229.5 Points (-110/-110)

Chicago Bulls (38-42) vs. Dallas Mavericks (38-42)

Chicago will participate in the play-in games after putting together a solid effort since the All-Star break. The Bulls brought in veteran guard Patrick Beverley, and their play instantly improved on both ends of the floor; however, it is to be determined whether that will be enough to get them into a seven-game series with Milwaukee. For this game, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso are all listed as questionable, so keep an eye on that if you plan on betting on this game.

It is do-or-die for the Dallas Mavericks, as they are now 0.5 of a game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for 10th place in the Western Conference. Luckily, they have a home game in this one, and Chicago might opt to rest some of its stars, but only time will tell. The Mavericks have Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and JaVale McGee listed as probable ahead of this matchup; they should be available, as losing would eliminate them from playoff contention.

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Bulls +8 (-110), Mavericks -8 (-110)
Moneyline: Bulls +285, Mavericks -345
Total: Over/Under 220.5 Points (-110/-110)

Golden State Warriors (42-38) vs. Sacramento Kings (48-32)

Golden State and Los Angeles each boast a 42-38 record with just two games left in the 2022-23 regular season; the Clippers have the tie-breaker for fifth place, so Golden State has to win one or both of its last two games to move ahead of them. They may want to remain in sixth place, as fifth place requires them to play Phoenix. However, the Warriors can’t afford to drop the next two games, with the Pelicans and Lakers only one game back. Andrew Wiggins will continue to sit for Golden State but is back with the team.

Sacramento seems content with third place in the Western Conference, as it would have to win both of its last two games, while Memphis would have to lose its final two to climb to second. The Kings won’t want to risk any injuries to key players just ahead of the playoffs, so Kevin Huerter, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell are all listed as questionable for this game against Golden State.

Start Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Location: Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)

Betting Odds Summary

Spread: Warriors -9.5 (-105), Kings +9.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Warriors -425, Kings +340
Total: Over/Under 235 Points (-110/-110)

Phoenix Suns (45-35) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (41-39)

The Suns remain undefeated with Kevin Durant in the lineup, holding an 8-0 record when he joins Devin Booker on the floor; this team is dangerous, and every team in the Western Conference knows it. Surprisingly, as of Friday morning, Phoenix has no crucial rotation players listed on the injury report, despite having fourth place locked up with just two games remaining. Still, the line indicates that Durant, Booker, and others will rest.

The Lakers have two home games left to round off their 2022-23 campaign, filled with injuries, streaks and chaos. Currently, Los Angeles sits in seventh place in the Western Conference, which would force it to compete in the play-in games just to ensure a first-round matchup with either Denver or Memphis. The Lakers are one game behind the Clippers and Warriors with just two games remaining, so they must decide whether to play LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both listed as questionable.

Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)