There are plenty of things to work out in the Eastern Conference playoff race as the regular season winds down, from seeding to which teams make the postseason and which teams go home for the summer. One of the most important games of Monday’s action will feature the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers have been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference for most of the year but have hit a huge skid of late. The team lost star Victor Oladipo halfway through the season and that loss finally seems to be catching up to it. Indiana hopes to defend its home court in this game, and it is one of several that should entertain bets on Monday’s NBA regular season schedule in basketball gambling.
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Odds Analysis
The Pacers have been really good at home this season and have a better record than Detroit, so they will be the favorite. A bettor has to decide how much stock to put into Indiana’s recent struggles. The Pistons have a lot to play for as they have yet to nail down a playoff spot. Detroit is a better team than the oddsmakers will give them credit for. Look for the Pacers to break their losing streak by picking up this win, but the game will be close. Therefore, the Pistons are the pick to cover the spread.
Another game with plenty of Eastern Conference ramifications features the Boston Celtics against the Miami Heat. Boston is battling Indiana for the No. 4 seed in the East, and as the home team in this one will aim to pick up a win to stay ahead of the Pacers. Miami has all the motivation in the world as it is only a half-game ahead of the Magic for the final playoff spot in the East. While motivation is nice, talent trumps it. The Celtics have struggled of late but should break out in this one and claim the victory.
The Magic will be on the road against the Toronto Raptors. Orlando has plenty to play for and would love to pull the upset. The Raptors may begin to rest players as they are locked in to the No. 2 seed in the East, but still have much more talent than Miami. Toronto is the pick to both win this game and also cover the spread against the Heat.
While the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are two of the worst teams in the NBA, they have an intriguing game on Monday for bettors because it should be a pretty evenly-matched showdown. Phoenix does get this game at home, and with the new lottery rules, these teams won’t be actively trying to tank. Devin Booker will be the best player on the court, and he should help lead the Suns to the win. Avoid the spread and choose the Suns on the moneyline in this matchup.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The game that is the best option among Monday’s game is the showdown between the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Blazers are trying to overtake the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, while the T-Wolves are out of it.
While that would seem to suggest Portland has the upper hand, the Blazers are dealing with some key injuries. Additionally, Minnesota plays pretty good ball at home. The Timberwolves have been listed as underdogs in this game and that’s an overreaction by the oddsmakers.
Minnesota is the choice to upset Portland in NBA betting lines.
NBA ATS Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves to upset Portland Trail Blazers on the moneyline
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