With a few more days left in the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season, most teams have already punched their ticket to the playoffs. You can expect most teams in action, 18 in all to be missing key players either due to minor injuries or rest. How will this impact the NBA betting lines?
NBA Games For April 8
Bucks vs Pistons
The Milwaukee Bucks look to get back to winning against the Detroit Pistons thanks to having a full roster. The Bucks were upset by the Pistons as 17-point favorites early this season. But the second-seeded Bucks have won 10 straight against the conference foes and eight straight against Detroit as a visitor. It’s a more affordable line betting online on Milwaukee this time.
Knicks vs Wizards
The other road favorite is the New York Knicks, who visit the Washington Wizards without their three best players. The Knicks haven’t been healthy either but have covered 9 of their last 10 road games. Washington is 10-10 against the spread (ATS) as a home underdog.
Cavaliers vs Nets
This juicy matchup is a potential play-in preview between the 7-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and 8-seed Brooklyn Nets. The latter is the favorite and the total is the second-highest for the evening. Cleveland’s defense hasn’t been the same since Jarrett Allen was injured, hence why nine of their last 13 games have gone over.
Nets face pivotal matchup vs. Cavaliers to avoid elimination play-in game https://t.co/06LYgxLB7o pic.twitter.com/OO3YBHLuLO
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 8, 2022
Rockets vs Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are on the second night of back-to-back yet double-digit favorites against the Houston Rockets. Toronto beat Philadelphia despite missing Fred VanVleet and will now be without OG Anunoby. Houston has lost five straight though it did cover in the last two games as an underdog of 10+ points.
Hawks vs Heat
Here is another potential playoff preview as the Atlanta Hawks visit the Miami Heat. The Hawks have been one of the best teams recently and are 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven. However, the Heat are unbeaten at home (7-0) against their division and are 5-1 against Atlanta in their last six meetings.
Hornets vs Bulls
Fresh off a blowout win over the Magic, the Charlotte Hornets visit the Chicago Bulls as slight underdogs. The Hornets have the worst spread record: 3-11-0 when having no rest while Chicago has a 57.1% cover rate (12-9-0) when having a rest advantage per their Las Vegas odds history.
Trail Blazers vs Mavericks
The Portland Trail Blazers are underdogs by nearly 20 points thanks to their shameless tanking job. Literally, their entire team is shelved leaving their reserves and prospects to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Portland has covered just once in their last 15 conference games. The total is the lowest for the evening for good reason.
Suns vs Jazz
With the best record firmly in hand, the Phoenix Suns haven’t had much to play for hence why they are only 1-4 ATS in their last five. The Utah Jazz are no better though, having covered one of their last nine games. Utah is 19-6 at home against the conference but only 10-13-2 ATS making them tough to support in NBA betting preview.
Thunder vs Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers get one last crack at the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has been the bane of their existence. The Lakers finally took care of them in their last meeting but are only 0-6 ATS in its last six games hosting this constantly “injured” team. Seven of their last 10 meetings have gone over the total.
