Friday NBA Picks & Predictions: Best Bets for April 24 Playoff Slate

A critical Game 3 in Philadelphia arrives Friday on the heels of the 76ers stunning the Celtics as heavy road underdogs to even up their series at 1-1 headed home.

We’ll break down three plays for the Friday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.

Here are the free NBA picks for Friday, April 24. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.

Best NBA plays today

• Celtics (-7.5) at 76ers
• Lakers/Rockets Over (206.5)
• Blazers (+2.5) vs. Spurs

Celtics (-7.5) at 76ers - 7:00 p.m. ET

Boston rolled past Philadelphia in the series opener, 123-91, but the 76ers bounced back in Game 2. Philadelphia stunned Boston, 111-97 as 13.5-point underdogs, highlighted by 59 points from the starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

The Celtics look to rebound after hitting 13-of-50 shots from 3-point range and only two players scoring in double-figures. Eight of Boston’s last 10 victories overall are by double-digits, so this is definitely a manageable number for the Celtics to cover.

Philadelphia is 2-9 straight-up and 2-8-1 against the spread in the last 11 games as a single-digit underdog. Look for Boston to shoot better in Game 3 and grab the road cover to take a 2-1 series lead.

Lakers/Rockets Over (206.5) - 8:00 p.m. ET

The Lakers captured each of the first two games against the Rockets as a home underdog, seeking a commanding 3-0 series lead tonight in Houston.

Each of the first two games finished under the total, as this total dropped from 208.5 in Game 2 with the Lakers beating the Rockets, 101-94. Kevin Durant returned from missing the series opener to score a team-high 23 points, but Houston was held to 24% shooting from 3-point range.

The Rockets shot nearly 38% from 3-point range at home this season, tied for third with the Knicks. Let’s see if Houston’s offense can respond tonight back at Toyota Center and hit the over for the first time in the series.

Blazers (+2.5) vs. Spurs - 10:30 p.m. ET

The big storyline heading into Game 3 is the status of San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama, who left the Game 2 loss with a concussion after hitting his head on the floor going for a loose ball.

Portland grabbed a split in San Antonio with a 106-103 victory as 10.5-point underdogs, now making this an interesting series. Wemby’s status is up in the air tonight, although he did travel with the team to Portland.

The Blazers have won seven of their last eight home games since mid-March, while losing to the Spurs at Moda Center back in late November. Wemby will be a game-time decision for San Antonio, but this is the spot for Portland to capitalize off the Game 2 win and pick up its first home playoff win since 2021.