NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | April 7

Tuesday’s NBA tips cover three afternoon games across NZ betting sites. I’ve got a home side riding a ridiculous streak, an MVP candidate turned loose – and an underdog getting too many points in a game that counts for their season.

Hawks -3.5 | $2.15 @ Betista

Atlanta have won 13 straight at State Farm Arena. Thirteen. That’s their longest home winning streak since 2009-10, and the way Jalen Johnson has been playing – 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, eight assists, 13 triple-doubles this season – I’m not sure who’s stopping number 14.

CJ McCollum has slotted in well since arriving from Washington in the Trae Young trade, putting up 18.6 per game. The Hawks are 18-3 since the All-Star break. New York are 50-28 and smashed Chicago 136-96 on Friday, but they’re on the road in a brutal finishing stretch. I’m tipping Atlanta to cover at home.

Spurs -12.5 | $1.85 @ VipLuck

Joel Embiid is out with a knee issue. Without him, Philadelphia’s interior collapses against Victor Wembanyama, who’s posted 41, 41 and 34 in his last three outings. The 34 came in an overtime loss to Denver – San Antonio’s only defeat since Feb. 1 where Wembanyama was actually on the floor.

Tyrese Maxey went seven of 23 from deep across his first four games back from a March absence. Paul George scored 20 against Detroit on Saturday but 18 of those came before half-time. The 76ers managed 33 second-half points. On the best betting sites NZ I’ve checked, 12.5 feels right. This is the safest of my three picks.

Trail Blazers +9.5 | $1.90 @ Betandplay

Portland jumped the Clippers for eighth in the West and have won three on the bounce. They’re 40-38 with four left – this one counts. Denver are 50-28 and on an eight-game win streak after Nikola Jokic dropped 40 with 13 assists to snap the Spurs’ run on Saturday.

I’m not picking the Blazers to win. But 9.5 points is generous for a side fighting for its playoff life. Portland rank second in the league for offensive rebounds at 14.2 per game, and they won the first meeting 109-107. Denver hammered them in the return, but these Blazers look different. On the betting apps NZ I use, $1.90 on Portland covering is the punt I like most today.