Cole K’s Best NBA Bets Today: NBA Playoff Picks & Predictions 4/26/22

The first round of the NBA playoffs has been entertaining thus far, and there have been some highly contested series. The Tuesday night slate features three games that all have very similar point spreads. Tonight’s matchups all see the home team favored by 6 or 6.5 points, and for these games we will dive into two sides that hold strong value. OddsShopper has up-to-the-minute odds for tonight’s games that range from game lines to NBA player props, so be sure to stay tuned throughout the day to lock in the best odds for the best NBA bets today.

Best NBA Bets Today: Playoff Picks & Predictions

Heat vs. Hawks

In tonight’s first game, the Miami Heat are looking to close out the Atlanta Hawks at home. This game features a Heat team that is fresh off of a commanding 110-86 win over Atlanta on Sunday without Kyle Lowry. Although expected to be without Lowry again tonight, the Heat are in prime position to close out the series and cover the 6.5-point spread against the Hawks this evening. Miami has completely locked in defensively and is not letting Trae Young get any looks. They suffocated Young all four quarters, which led to just 9 points on 3-for-11 shooting. Offensively the Heat have presented a more balanced attack as of late, seeing all five starters score in double figures.

The Heat have covered five straight games as a home favorite, and what really makes this spread a great play tonight is the Hawks being a whopping 0-42 against the spread in losses this season. Although nothing is a guarantee in the world of betting, if the Heat are going to win tonight, there is a good chance they are also going to cover the spread. The Heat are a well-rounded playoff team that has had its way with the Hawks at home this season, going 4-0 against the spread and winning by an average margin of 11. Expect Jimmy Butler to control the pace of play, and if the Heat come out with the same intensity they had in Game 4, the Heat will be off to Round 2.

Best NBA Bet Today: Miami Heat -6.5 (-110)


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Suns vs. Pelicans

In what has turned into a fascinating series, the Phoenix Suns play host to the New Orleans Pelicans in a series that is now tied 2-2. The Suns looked poised to roll over the Pelicans early in the series before losing All-Star Devin Booker to injury. Heading into a pivotal Game 5, the Suns are 6.5-point home favorites, and the game has an over/under of 215. The Suns come into tonight’s matchup off of a 118-103 Game 4 loss in New Orleans on Sunday night. Game 4 saw Chris Paul score only 4 points, which is well below his season and playoff career average.

A 6.5-point spread for the Suns in a bounce-back spot is a discounted price, and in tonight’s game the play is on the Suns -6.5 at -105 odds. Although the Pelicans have shown they have built a strong foundation of good young talent, tonight’s Game 5 on the road may present them with a challenge they are not ready for just yet. The Suns are battle tested after their NBA Finals run just a season ago, and in a game where Paul is destined to bounce back, they should control the game from the tip and ultimately get a double-digit win at home. OddsShopper projects the Suns to win by 10.7 points and gives them a 59% chance to cover the 6.5-point spread with a 15% ROI. Yes, the Pelicans are a young and exciting team, but in tonight’s matchup trust the veteran to lead the way and get this series back on track.

Best NBA Bet Today: Phoenix Suns -6.5 (-105)

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