NBA Play-In Tournament Picks
The guys (@GamblingPodcast) give out their NBA Play-In Tournament picks with the help of the guys from the NBA Gambling Podcast Munaf Manji (@SportsNerd824) and Terrell Furman (@ReallyRell__). Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the upcoming NBA Playoff preview podcast.
Munaf Manji (@sportsnerd824) and Terrell Furman (@reallyrell__) join the show to help discuss the NBA play-in tournament coming up this week. Despite the competitive nature of the tournament, players like Zion Williamson still will not be participating despite his team having their back against the wall in the 9/10 matchup in the West. Dallas fell out of the play-in mix despite having two stars in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, a shocking duo to be hitting Cancun so early.
(10:00) NBA Playoff Landscape
This seems to be more of a wide-open playoff landscape than usual. However, the Suns acquiring Kevin Durant late in the season seems to have pushed them to a level well above the rest of the league.
(14:09) Miami Heat (-5.5) vs Atlanta Hawks
Miami struggled all year to defend the three-point line all year which will be a problem for them against the Hawks, although in head-to-head situations this year the Heat bottled them up at the three-point line fairly well. Both teams struggle against the spread in this respective slate with the Heat at home and the Hawks on the road. Adding Quinn Snyder as a head coach late in the season seems to have the Hawks in the right direction but its hard to imagine Jimmy Butler in a one game playoff, especially to the Hawks.
(25:42) Los Angeles Lakers (-8) vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has some fresh beef amongst their team with a team fight happening on their bench in the last time. This has resulted in Rudy Gobert being suspended for one game, this play-in game. Gobert has caused frustration in the team with both his court on the play and his actions off the court. Gobert not playing could be a positive though as the metrics show the Timberwolves are better offensively without Gobert on the floor. The Lakers have been up and down all year though and 8 points is a lot of points for a playoff game. Anthony Davis should have a field day against the seemingly center-less Timberwolves.
(41:56) Toronto Raptors (-5) vs Chicago Bulls
Toronto plays well at home against the spread and has handled the Bulls well in their last two matchups. An issue amongst the Toronto team though is that they may be blown up at the end of the season, whenever that comes, and the feeling could be looming amongst the team. Chicago has some high-level scoring options in Lavine and Derozan but Toronto has the length to give them issues.
(48:45) New Orleans Pelicans (-5.5) vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had some major games all year, especially against the Pelicans. Last time these teams played the Thunder won by 14, so giving them 5 points just seems like too much. Brandon Ingram will certainly have a big game, but it probably will not be enough. The Pelicans though have the experience of the play-in on the Thunder and the better defensive team which can easily transcend them to a win.
(57:02) NBA Play-In Tournament Picks & Best Bets
Munaf Lock: Timberwolves +8
Munaf Dog: Derozan 25+ points +144
Terrell Lock: New Orleans -5.5
Terell Dog: KAT 30+ points at +280
Kramer Lock: Heat -5
Kramer Dog: Derozan 25+ points and KAT 30+ points parlay
Sean Lock: Heat -5
Sean Dog: Kyle Anderson Double-Double, Derozan 25+ points, KAT 30+ points Round Robin
NBA Odds
| Tuesday | |||
| Matchup | Money Line | Spread | Total |
| Atlanta Hawks | 170 | ||
| Miami Heat | -200 | -5.5 | 226.5 |
| Timberwolves | 275 | ||
| Lakers | -330 | -8 | 231.5 |
| Wednesday | |||
| Matchup | Money Line | Spread | Total |
| Chicago Bulls | 170 | ||
| Toronto Raptors | -200 | -5 | 214.5 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 175 | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans | -205 | -5.5 | 228.5 |
Podcast Transcription
