The NBA regular season has come to an end and now the playoffs begin to determine this year’s champion, however, first there is a small scale: in the play-ins.
This Tuesday, April 11, the play-ins will begin, where the teams that were between the seventh and tenth place in each conference will fight for the two remaining spots available for the playoffs.
In each conference, the seventh will play the eighth and the winner will advance. The loser of this duel will face the winner of the game between the ninth and tenth place to keep the last spot.
In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat will go up against the Atlanta Hawks, and the Toronto Raptors against the Chicago Bulls, while in the Western the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the New Orleans Pelicans face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA Play-in 2023: Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks
When:
Tuesday, April 11 at 7:30 pm ET at Kaseya Center
Moneyline odds:
Miami Heat -200
Atlanta Hawks +165
Where Can I Watch it?
Miami Heat was, until the last day, fighting to enter the playoffs directly but it was not possible. Erik Spoelstra’s quintet had a good finish with 4 wins in the last 5 games. Its star, Jimmy Butler, arrives rested after not having played the last games. This season they played 4 times and the Heat won 3, plus they haven’t lost at home against the Hawks since March 2, 2021.
Atlanta Hawks suffered two falls in their last games against strong rivals in what served as a gauge for what is coming now in the finals. Quin Snyder’s quintet arrives without injuries but still lacks more offensive strength. As visitors, they have not done very well and have 9 losses in the last 12 games.
The winner will go against the Boston Celtics
Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks Betting Pick: Miami Heat
NBA Play-in 2023: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
When:
Tuesday, April 11 at 10:00 pm ET at the Crypto.com Arena
Moneyline odds:
Los Angeles Lakers -335
Minnesota Timberwolves +260
Where Can I Watch it?
Great closing of the regular season for the Los Angeles Lakers. For much of the tournament they were out of the postseason spots, but with 9 wins in the last 11 games, they moved into seventh place and almost snatched sixth from the Warriors. LeBron James ended up scoring more than 30 points in recent games and reached a site where his level usually increases, while Anthony Davis is the rebounding leader in the entire NBA.
Minnesota Timberwolves were also very good in recent days, with more wins than losses, and with Anthony Edwards at a high level, achieving a double-double in his last game. However, the team depends a lot on the point guard. This season they beat the Lakers twice in 3 games and one of those was in Los Angeles.
The winner will face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Play-in 2023: Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls
When:
Wednesday, April 12 at 7:00 pm ET at the Scotiabank Arena
Moneyline odds:
Toronto Raptors -210
Chicago Bulls +170
Where Can I Watch it?
Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the last game, although it is true that their rivals decided to preserve their best players, so it is a false result. They lost twice to the Boston Celtics before and showed some weaknesses that they hope to overcome. Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby rested thinking about this duel.
The Chicago Bulls can say they eliminated Luka Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks and are, along with Oklahoma, the only teams to advance with a negative record (40-42). In their last three visits to Toronto, they have lost. This season they played 3 times against the Raptors and they could only beat them 1 time, although Siakam did not play that day.
The winner of this game will go against the loser of the Heat vs. Hawks game.
Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Pick: Toronto Raptors
NBA Play-in 2023: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When:
Wednesday, April 12 at 9:30 pm ET at the Smoothie King Center
Moneyline odds:
New Orleans Pelicans -225
Oklahoma City Thunder +182
Where Can I Watch it?
Without a doubt, Zion Williamson’s long injury changed the plans of the New Orleans Pelicans. The forward was the great star of the team and his return to the courts is not expected for now. Without him, it takes the entire quintet to be inspired and make an almost perfect game. Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas have had a good tournament and now they have to confirm it.
Oklahoma City Thunder entered through the back door thanks to their two wins in the last two games, but the team does not convince. The Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a very good tournament but his teammates have not accompanied him in the best way. They arrive with a negative record and although this season they have already lost 3 times with the Pelicans, the last time they played was on March 11, in New Orleans, and they won.
The winner of this game will go against the loser of the Lakers vs. Timberwolves game.
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