NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | April 8

Wednesday’s NBA tips are shaped by injuries. I’ve got three bets across NBA betting NZ sites today – a depleted Lakers outfit facing the league’s best, a close one in Toronto, and a Timberwolves spread that looks generous given their own problems.

Thunder -14.5 | $1.90 @ Betista

Luka Doncic is done for the regular season with a grade 2 hamstring strain, suffered against these same Thunder in a 139-96 loss last week. Austin Reaves has a Grade 2 oblique injury and won’t be back for four to six weeks. Marcus Smart has missed seven straight with an ankle contusion. So the Lakers come into this one with LeBron James and, well, not a whole lot else.

OKC are 62-16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.4 points per game and didn’t even need the fourth quarter in that 43-point demolition. The Thunder have the league’s best record and the kind of depth that punishes weakened rosters. 

I’m comfortable with 14.5 on the best online sports betting sites. Without their two top scorers, the Lakers are staring at a long afternoon.

Raptors -2.5 | $1.85 @ VipLuck

Toronto are 14-6 in their last 20 home games against Miami. That’s a trend I’m paying attention to, especially with the Raptors 43-35 and fighting to lock in their playoff seed. Immanuel Quickley has been out for eight straight games with plantar fasciitis, which hurts their playmaking. But Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes have both been outstanding lately, and Jakob Poeltl continues to do damage around the rim.

Miami are 41-37 and their recent road form is ordinary. Norman Powell is a game-time decision with illness, and Tyler Herro has been listed day-to-day for personal reasons. Three of their last seven on the road have been losses by double digits. I’m not expecting a blowout, but I like the Raptors by a few at Scotiabank Arena.

Pacers +11.5 | $2.15 @ Betandplay

Indiana are 18-60 and going nowhere. I’m not pretending otherwise. Pascal Siakam missed their last game with an ankle issue, and if he’s absent again, Minnesota should cruise.

Anthony Edwards is averaging 28.9 points per game, but his right knee has been a problem. He’s played two of the last nine and was ruled out again on Sunday. Jaden McDaniels is also out week-to-week.

If Edwards doesn’t suit up, Minnesota are still favoured - Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert can handle Indiana - but 11.5 is a lot to give a team managing injuries of their own. Indiana have covered in five straight at home. 

I’m backing them to hang around on betting apps NZ at $2.15.