Best NBA Betting Picks Today: Friday April 3rd Expert Predictions

With the postseason nearing closer, several playoff-bound teams are still fighting for position on Friday with a total of nine games on the schedule.

I’ll be using odds from DraftKings in the previews below, but I recommend line shopping to make sure you have the best odds for the market(s) you decide to bet on.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers may finally be evolving into the team they were expected to be. With Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid in the lineup more often than not, Philly has started to play some exciting, explosive basketball. With last night’s 153-131 win over the Wizards, the 76ers have recorded 150+ points in two of their last four games.

Sure, they gave up 137 and 131 points in the process and only scored 109 and 118 in the other two, but we are seeing the potential this team has. As for Minnesota, the Timberwolves have been slipping without Anthony Edwards in the lineup.

With last night’s loss to the Pistons (113-108), they’ve lost two of their last three. Edwards is currently listed as a game-time decision. But even if he does, the T-wolves are facing a 76ers team that is peaking at the right time.

My Pick: 76ers ML at -135

Joel Embiid is listed as GTD, but even if he doesn’t play, Philly has a rest and home-court advantage over a team playing without its superstar.

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets

Utah has been eliminated for some time, while the Rockets have secured a playoff spot. The Jazz have lost seven in a row, five by double digits, while Houston has won its last four in a row and at home. Figuring out who should win is easy—Houston.

Forget about execution; the talent gap alone is enough to do the job. However, while they’ve been winning more often of late, the Rockets seldom play up to expectations. They closed as 19.5-point favorites over Milwaukee on Wednesday but won by only 6.

My Pick: Utah +16.5 at -105

Houston is 32-44 ATS this season and only 14-23 ATS at home. When favored by double digits, they are just 3-10 ATS. They’ll beat Utah tonight, but will they cover a 16.5-point spread? Don’t bank on it.

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Boston comes into the game as winners of four of their last five and fresh off a monster victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday, 147-129. Jaylen Brown led the way with 43 points while Jayson Tatum turned in a triple-double with 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists.

They’ll face a Milwaukee team that has struggled for much of the season and is playing without its superstar. The Bucks are coming off a 199-113 loss to the Houston Rockets.

My Pick: Boston -17.5 at -112

Milwaukee is not a good team when healthy, but with the injuries they’ve been forced to deal with, they can be hard to watch. Boston, on the other hand, is relatively healthy and starting to click at just the tight time. Boston has gone 25-14 ATS on the road this season. It’s a massive spread, but the Celtics have gone 12-6 ATS when favored by double digits.