NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | April 18

Saturday afternoon NZT wraps up the NBA Play-In Tournament and I’ve got three tips across NBA betting NZ sites for the final two do-or-die games. Charlotte’s head-to-head against Orlando is worth backing, and the Warriors’ trip to Phoenix looks like it’ll produce points.

Hornets -3.5 | $1.90 @ VipLuck

I don’t trust Orlando on the road in a game like this. They went 19-20 in true road games this season, and they’re coming off a flat 97-109 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday where Franz Wagner managed just 12 points.

Desmond Bane dropped 34 in that game but the Magic’s offence disappeared around him - Paolo Banchero managed 18 and nobody else stepped up. Charlotte own this matchup. They won three of the four regular-season meetings, including a 130-111 result in March. LaMelo Ball scored 30 with the game-winning layup in overtime against Miami on Tuesday.

I’m taking them to cover 3.5 on the betting apps NZ I use.

Suns -2.5 | $1.85 @ Betandplay

I don’t want to fade Stephen Curry after what he did on Wednesday - 35 points, the go-ahead three with 50 seconds left, a comeback from 13 down in the fourth. But the Warriors were 15-26 away from home this season and needed a 16-5 closing run just to survive a Clippers team that’s already been eliminated.

Devin Booker has averaged close to 30 a game since early March. Jalen Green put up 35 in Tuesday’s loss to Portland. Grayson Allen missed that game with a hamstring issue but has had extra rest and could return for Saturday.

I’m backing the Suns at home with more firepower and more to play for.

Over 221.5 | $1.90 @ Betista

I can’t see this being a low-scoring game. 

Warriors-Clippers finished at 247 combined on Wednesday. Suns-Blazers went to 224 on Tuesday. Golden State have been offence-first since Curry came back from his knee injury, and the Suns will want to push the pace with their home crowd willing them forward. 

I’m comfortable taking the over through free bets promotions at Betista.