Meat Loaf for the second day in a row, and it was a hefty 7.05 unit gain for Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets. Meat Loaf has never tasted so good, but it almost did not arrive. The +700 same game parlay of Tyrese Maxey and Josh Hart scoring twenty points and making two plus threes came down to the wire. As predicted, J. Hart to score twenty points was what the parlay hinged on as the other three legs were safely achieved. Hart scored the last New York Knicks field goal with less than two minutes remaining in the game. This gave him twenty points, and cashed our tickets. 

 

Jalen Brunson was a ball-hog all night, and Hart had a dunk removed from him due to an off ball foul, it was looking bleak for a moment. Hart’s put back on a missed Jalen Brunson field goal might have seemed meaningless in a game that looked over, but it was a seven unit stacker for us. That one put back, is the difference between a +7.05 and a -0.95 unit day… That is the margin of error bettors live on. 

Jarrett Allen failed to reach his rebounding line as the Orlando Magic gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a beat down at the Kia Center. The Nuggets prevailed and covered the teased up spread line with another double-digit come from behind victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. They have now won eleven games in a row and can sweep the Lakers with a victory Saturday.

*Editor’s Note: Get the most favorable NBA odds and lines exclusively on BettorEdge, the leading social sports betting platform! Available in 40+ states, just enter the code ALARM to instantly claim a $10 bonus when you sign up through us.

 

NBA Picks & Predictions: April 26

The big win is old news, as there are three wonderful NBA games today. In order by start time they are; Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns. There is a wager from each game, and with the seafood sampler serving up a satisfying bankroll builder yesterday, today we look for more of the same. ‘It’s so nice, (we) want the same thing twice’, a same game parlay, a player prop, and a straight bet round out today’s column. And just like yesterday, a boosted same game parlay is the Bet of the Day.

BET OF THE DAY: SAME GAME PARLAY  MILWAUKEE BUCKS AT INDIANA PACERS 

  • INDIANA PACERS OVER 118.5 TOTAL POINTS, TYRESE HALIBURTON 10+ POINTS, 10+ ASSISTS (BOOSTED TO +260 DraftKings)

Today’s same game parlay boost is not much of a boost, only +20 more odds, but it seems like a logical bet. Tyrese Haliburton was back to himself in game two and the Pacers benefited from it. He had twelve assists and three made threes that led to twelve points. Pascal Siakam has still been the guy, and although we have been hesitant to bet on his increased line, he has delivered in both games. This will help this bet because Haliburton will pass to Siakam often, maybe even six or seven assists to Siakam alone.

People may have forgotten that Haliburton was injured, and battled through it for a large part of the late season. He has played thirty-one or more minutes in nine of his last ten games, and appears to be in great condition. He has ten or more assists in his last three of four games, and has scored ten or more points in his last eight of ten games. 

Haliburton averaged 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game in the regular season. He led the league in assists this season with 752. Haliburton's point line is set at 16.5 and his assists line is set at 10.5. So the projections have him earning a double-double tonight, the risk appears to be on the Indiana Pacers total.

The Indiana Pacers averaged 123.3 points per game in the regular season, the best in the league. They also scored 125 against the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum in game two. The points are there when the team is in a rhythm, and now they are back in front of the Pacers faithful. Indiana is 26-15 at home, and the Pacers average increases to 125.5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 

Another unit is on the line for a positive odds same game parlay in the first game of the day. Let’s hope for a high scoring game with Tyrese Haliburton achieving his averages.

 

NBA Props & Best Bets, 4/26

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT DALLAS MAVERICKS 

  • RUSSELL WESTBROOK OVER 3.5 REBOUNDS (-130 ON BET365)

The Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks in what should be a rocking American Airlines Center. The Dallas Mavericks are hosting their first playoff game in two years against a team that has become a rivalry. The series is tied with each team winning a game in Los Angeles, and tonight should be a tightly contested match.

The Mavericks are currently a 4.5 point favorite against the Clippers, and as stated it will be a loud environment. But an environment one player knows quite well. Russell Westbrook played his first game at American Airlines Center on December 13, 2008, and has played in several big games there. 

Westbrook has played in three playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks in his Hall of Fame career. He has won five of the seven playoff games he has played there. Although this is no longer 2015-2017 Russell Westbrook, the nine time all star still has springs in his legs. 

He has four or more rebounds in his last six games played. He averaged 5.0 per game this season, and he recorded nine against the Mavericks in game two.

This is going to be a back and forth series between two great NBA coaches. There is also an entire line-up of future Hall of Fame members participating in this game, but none are gifted in the ways of rebounding that Westbrook is… not even Luka Doncic. 

R. Westbrook is older, he willingly gave up his starting role (which will affect his status in the all-time great debates once he is retired, because some will only have numbers to remember him by), and is asked to facilitate the second unit. He has the most experience than any player on both sides of this game, and the basketball IQ to match it. Trust ‘The Brodie’ to keep his four or more rebounds streak going.

 

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AT PHOENIX SUNS 

  • PHOENIX SUNS -1.5 1ST QUARTER (-135 ON DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK) 

This line has moved, and will likely keep shifting as the sharks move in on it. The offered line is currently at -2.5 with -105 odds. This bet was -1.5 at -115 early this morning, but as of now is -135. It is wise to not take more than 1.5 points for the first quarter. 

Throughout the playoffs we have seen teams come out with fury and take a quick lead. Only to see the losing team make a late quarter comeback and close the gap or take the lead. The Phoenix Suns were preseason favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, but now find themselves close to elimination. 

Phoenix has yet to win a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they are playing their first game back at the Footprint Center. The Suns will start fast, heck they always start fast. It is the fourth quarter that has been their demon this season. However, down 0-2 against a tough defense in front of a loyal and rowdy fan base, and with two of the greatest scorers of this decade– look for the Suns to come out blazing hot.

The great Avery Johnson stated that basketball is a first quarter game. Implying you set the tone for the rest of the game, particularly in crunch situations, by how you approach the first quarter. The Suns will look to score often, and get in an early rhythm because that is the tone they will try to set throughout the game. 

Jusuf Nurkic has held his own, but Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker are not scoring the points that are needed out of them. Scorers usually do better at a place they are comfortable at and familiar with. The FootPrint Center is the only NBA home court Booker has experienced, it is the court Kevin Durant has spent the past couple of years at and very likely will retire on. Those two have to make a statement by scoring early and keeping the Footprint Center loud. Trust a unit on first quarter cash, and cash early on this later than normal game.

Thank you for taking a look at my NBA picks for today! Remember to visit Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy sports and betting needs.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy