NBA parlay picks April 9: Bet on Lakers, LeBron James
There is still plenty to decide on the final day of the NBA regular season.
The pregame narrative: LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers can avoid the play-in tournament with a win, and we’re expecting the superstar to lead his team to victory. Additionally, we’re taking the San Antonio Spurs to cover against the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA odds as of 1:32 p.m. ET on 04/09/2023.
NBA parlay picks
Parlay: Lakers -8.5 + James over 25.5 points + Spurs +3.5 (+358)
Lakers -8.5 (-315): Los Angeles still has plenty to play for, which is much more than we can say about its opponent.
The Utah Jazz are two games out of a play-in spot, making it impossible to qualify with one game remaining.
They’ll also be shorthanded in the matchup with Jordan Clarkson missing time while Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton are questionable and have both missed multiple games ahead of this one.
A loss sends the Lakers to No. 8 in the West and on the road for the first game of the play-in tournament. A win, however, can move Los Angeles up as high as sixth in the conference and remove the squad from the play-in tourney altogether.
With the spread for this game sitting at 16 points, we’re comfortable backing the Lakers as less than a double-digit favourite.
Other parlay picks
James over 25.5 points (-122): James is dealing with a foot injury, but we’re willing to wager he plays through it given what’s at stake.
Basketball’s biggest star is the driving force behind Los Angeles’ late-season surge. Since returning from injury on March 26, James and the Lakers are 5-2. He’s averaging 28.7 points per game across his last three, including a pair of 30-plus point performances.
His hot streak includes a massive outing against this very Utah team. James put up 37 points in a win over the Jazz on April 4.
Averaging 28.8 points per game this season, this mark is well within his reach against a depleted Utah lineup.
Spurs +3.5 (-106): San Antonio is holding down the second-worst record (21-60) in the NBA this season, but we’re betting on a close game against a barren Dallas squad.
The Mavericks were one of the league’s biggest disappointments down the stretch, losing 11 of their last 15 while crashing out of the Western Conference’s play-in picture. Their struggles are leading to a longer-than-usual offseason, and one that starts today for some of the team’s top stars.
Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock and Maxi Kleber are all out for Sunday’s contest.
The Spurs have their own laundry list of absences to overcome, but we’re comfortable backing them with three-and-a-half points in our back pocket. They’ve won two of their last four, too, so they’re at least showing some effort as the finish line nears.
Considering Dallas has covered this spread just twice in its last 10 outings, we’re feeling confident in San Antonio keeping this close.
