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Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks Game 6 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks Game 6 odds and lines, with NBA picks, tips and predictions.

The Philadelphia 76ers are back in Atlanta to take on the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series Friday. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off at State Farm Arena. Below, we analyze the 76ers-Hawks odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

For Philadelphia, Game 5 was an absolute catastrophe. C Joel Embiid came out red hot, helping the Sixers take a 22-point lead to halftime. Philly was minus-4 in the fourth quarter, scoring 25 points and allowing 29 points.

Then the fourth quarter hit and the buckets started to drop for Atlanta with little resistance and no response. Atlanta outscored Philly by 21 points in the final session and won the game 109-106 despite a combined 73 points from 76ers G Seth Curry and Embiid.

G Trae Young had 39 points of his own and was instrumental in leading the comeback. Now, both teams are back in the “A”, where they split Games 3 and 4.

The No. 1 seed is on the brink of elimination for the first time this postseason.

76ers at Hawks: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: 76ers -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Hawks +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
Against the spread/ATS: 76ers -3 (-110) | Hawks +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

76ers at Hawks: Key injuries

76ers

C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
SG Danny Green (calf) out

Hawks

SF De’Andre Hunter (knee) out
PG Trae Young (shoulder) probable

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76ers at Hawks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

76ers 110, Hawks 104

Money line (ML)

BET on the 76ERS (-155) as the pressure is going to be on and Embiid should be unstoppable. There’s no denying he didn’t take over down the stretch last game, and that should change.

The No. 2 MVP candidate has to be dominant and PG Ben Simmons must improve. I’d imagine head coach Doc Rivers has something up his sleeve as well, whether that’s giving SG Tyrese Maxey or SG Shake Milton more time.

The Sixers haven’t been great on the road, but they should come out on top in Game 6. After getting up 22 points in Game 5, the Sixers let up, and I wouldn’t expect them to be that relaxed when facing elimination.

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Against the spread (ATS)

“LEAN” to the 76ERS -3 (-110) because, as noted, the Sixers should come out hot. With Hawks SG Bogdan Bogdanović struggling to find his rhythm, the Hawks will need to come out on fire to keep the more aggressive Sixers team down.

I’d bet against the young team figuring out how to close out the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

The refs will also be a huge factor as Young attempted 19 free throws last outing. If that happens again, the Hawks will have a shot, but given he hadn’t hit double-figure attempts in the series until that game, it’s doubtful.

Over/Under (O/U)

“LEAN” to the UNDER 221.5 (-110) because each team has shown weaknesses. SG Kevin Huerter, Young and Bogdanovic have all struggled this series. PF John Collins has been non-existent at times as well.

On the series, the Hawks and Sixers have combined for 220 or more points three times and fell short twice. Last game hit the Under, despite a 40-point fourth quarter from Atlanta, as the Sixers tallied 19 points in the final 12 minutes.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz Game 5 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Wednesday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz Game 5 odds and lines, with NBA picks, tips and predictions.

The Los Angeles Clippers take to the road for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 10 p.m. ET at Vivint Arena with the series tied 2-2. Below, we look at the Clippers-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

The last time these two matched up in Utah in Game 2, there was a raucous crowd of 18,007. The Jazz are 2-0 at home in the series.

The Clippers are coming in hot with SF Marcus Morris finding his rhythm. SF Kawhi Leonard scored over 30 points in back-to-back games, as well.

After being completely dismantled for the bulk of Game 4, Utah has to figure out how to get back to its winning ways. As long as the Jazz keep riding their home wave, they’ll be just fine.

Clippers at Jazz: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Money line: Clippers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Jazz -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Clippers +3 (-110) | Jazz -3 (-110)
Over/Under: 223.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Clippers at Jazz: Key injuries

Clippers

PF Serge Ibaka (back) out

Jazz

PG Mike Conley (hamstring) questionable

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Clippers at Jazz: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Jazz 114, Clippers 110

Money line (ML)

PASS on the money line, although a bet on the Clippers does sound enticing after watching what happened in Game 4.

However, assuming Morris doesn’t go 5-for-6 from deep again, the Clippers could find themselves in trouble, much like they did in the two previous games in Utah.

Betting that the road team wins its first game of the series in Game 5 doesn’t make much sense. After several blowouts, this one should be close nonetheless as both teams are starting to figure out the other.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Bet JAZZ -3 (-110) because the home team has been dominant.

The Jazz’s dominance at home is no joke. It’s not a one-series fling either. They lost five games all regular season at home and 15 on the road.

With a 35-6 record at home and a 23-17 record on the road (including the playoffs), the Jazz are more confident and their elite 3-point shooting is much more lethal on their home court.

Knowing that, there’s no way I’d bet the Clippers to continue to dominate Utah.

Sixth Man of the Year SG Jordan Clarkson was MIA in Game 4, notching 8 points with a minus-16 rating. C Rudy Gobert also got a few quick fouls, something unlikely to repeat itself.

For those reasons, betting Utah to cover and win by 4 or more points in Game 5 is the best value. Also, the home team has covered in all four games.

Over/Under (O/U)

“LEAN” to the OVER 223.5 (-105).

The Over hit in two of four games, and the two teams totaled at least 221 points in all four. Sure, it’s possible two 3-point-heavy teams collapse, but the Jazz shot over 40% from deep in two home games in the series.

If that repeats itself, the Over should hit. The Jazz are 40-40-1 on the Over while the Clippers are 40-41-2, including the playoffs.

Oddsmakers have been spot on with these two teams so far this season, and Game 5 appears no different. The Over is the better play, but neither side is a great bet for the value.

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Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets Game 3 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets Game 3 odds and lines, with NBA picks, tips and predictions.

The Phoenix Suns are in the Mile High City to play the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals playoff series Friday. Tip-off at Ball Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Suns-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

This series has been as one-sided as it gets with Denver being outscored in six straight quarters since leading by a point at halftime of Game 1.

Phoenix won each game by double-digits and is putting up 122.5 points per game. The Over cashed in Game 1 while the Under hit in Game 2 as Denver scored only 98 points.

Suns “Point God” Chris Paul is putting on a clinic this series. He’s averaging 19.0 points per game on 71.3% true shooting (.583/.800/1.000), 5.5 rebounds and 13.0 assists per game with just one turnover in the series.

Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic has been a smidge less productive in this series, averaging 23.0 PPG on just 47.5% field-goal shooting with 4.5 assists per game.

Suns at Nuggets: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Money line: Suns +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Nuggets -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Suns +1.5 (-110) | Nuggets -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Suns at Nuggets: Key injuries

Suns

Nothing affecting the betting odds.

Nuggets

SF Michael Porter Jr. (back) probable
SG PJ Dozier (groin) out

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Suns at Nuggets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Nuggets 114, Suns 105

Money line (ML)

Nearly 70% of the action is on the Suns (+100), according to Pregame.com, but the line movement is heading in the opposite direction and it’s a red flag whenever the House makes the more popular side cheaper.

The Nuggets’ role players cannot play worse on their home floor and Denver almost has to be more aggressive since it has only a .093 FT/FGA rate in this series (the playoff median is .206 FT/FGA).

Also, the Suns have been red-hot since Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers but three of those four games were in Phoenix and typically role players regress on the road.

Likewise, role players play better at home, and Nuggets guards Will Barton, Monte Morris and Austin Rivers have an opportunity to step up and make this a series.

“LEAN” to the NUGGETS (-120) for a half unit.

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Against the spread (ATS)

PASS unless Denver’s money line drops below -135 then I’d lay the points with the Nuggets.

Since Denver’s money line is only 10 cents on the dollar more expensive than the Nuggets -1.5 (-110), just stick with Denver winning straight up.

Over/Under (O/U)

TAKE the UNDER 222.5 (-105) for 1 unit as the best bet in Nuggets-Suns Game 3. Denver is known as the Mile High City and one of the Nuggets’ major homecourt advantages is that they play at altitude.

Since both teams played at a bottom-5 pace in the regular season—Phoenix was ranked 26th and Denver 27th—and the Nuggets don’t have the guard play to get into an up-and-down game with the Suns, you could argue it’s in both teams’ best interest to slow the tempo.

CP3 and the Suns are executing brilliant half-court offense and I’m sure they’re fine with slowing it down on the road.

Furthermore, nearly 80% of the action is on the Over and a majority of the situational trends suggest a high-scoring affair. So, a contrarian play is another angle for the UNDER 222.5 (-105).

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Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA and NHL Playoffs Picks + MLB MVP Odds

Bet Slippin’ Podcast rounds up the NBA and NHL playoffs with a look at the latest game and series odds, plus picks for the MLB MVP awards.

This week’s episode of Bet Slippin’ Podcast looks at the latest game and series odds in the NBA and NHL playoffs, along with picks and predictions for the MLB MVP awards. Hosts Geoff Clark and Esten McLaren offer up sports betting advice with their picks, predictions and best bets based on BetMGM Sportsbook‘s odds.

The Brooklyn Nets seem to be running away on a clear path toward the NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference but the second-round series in the Western Conference are a little more exciting. Are the Los Angeles Clippers worth backing again as series underdogs after dropping Game 1 to the Utah Jazz?

Round 3 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs is nearly set with the Tampa Bay Lightning seemingly poised to go back-to-back. Esten offers up a quality futures hedge by way of the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Geoff then makes the case for New York Mets SP Jacob deGrom to win the NL MVP and forces Esten to abandon hope for a couple of long shots. Value remains in the American League with an undervalued Chicago White Sox star.

(If the podcast player does not display, please click here.)

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Bet Slippin’ Podcast Timeline

NBA Conference Semifinals | Time – 4:49
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs | Time – 27:30
MLB MVP Awards | Time – 37:53
GOIN’ TO THE WINDOW | Time – 51:21

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Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns Game 2 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns Game 2 NBA odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The 2-seed Phoenix Suns host the 7-seed Los Angeles Lakers for Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs Tuesday. They lead the series 1-0. Tip-off for Game 2 is at 10 p.m. ET at Phoenix Suns Arena. Below, we analyze the Lakers-Suns Game 2 odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

The Lakers shot just 26.9% from 3-point range in Game 1, and PF Anthony Davis scored only 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting. Los Angeles trailed for most of the game.

The Suns were good in their first playoff games since 2010. SG Devin Booker‘s playoffs debut was great, as he scored 34 points to go along with 7 rebounds 8 eight assists. C Deandre Ayton outplayed Davis with 21 points on 10-for-11 shooting; he added 16 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. PG Chris Paul exited the game with a stinger and finished with only 7 points.

Lakers at Suns: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Lakers -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Suns +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Lakers -1.5 (-110) | Suns +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 209.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lakers at Suns: Key injuries

Lakers

PF Anthony Davis (shoulder) probable
SF LeBron James (ankle) probable

Suns

None affecting betting lines

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Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV.

Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Lakers at Suns: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Suns 105, Lakers 101

Money line (ML)

The Suns are 28-9 this season at home. The Lakers have not won in Phoenix yet this year, losing their only game there in the regular season and then Game 1.

LeBron James‘ teams are 12-8 after losing Game 1 of a playoffs series. The Lakers bounced back twice for wins in last year’s playoffs after losing the series opener.

While Davis should fair better after a subpar performance in which Ayton outplayed him, the Suns got little offensively outside of Booker and Ayton in Game 1. The rest of the starting lineup combined for 25 points on 10-for-30 shooting.

The Suns played the same opponent in consecutive games five times in the regular season. Both times they won the first matchup they also won the second.

Take the SUNS (+100) in Game 2.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Suns are now 3-1 ATS against the Lakers this season and they have the league’s second-best cover percentage at 60.6%. As underdogs, the Suns were 8-4 ATS in the regular season.

The Lakers were 16-13-1 ATS after a loss this season. They failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games dating back to the regular season.

Take the SUNS +1.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The pace was set in the series opener, as neither team cracked 100 points. Phoenix is 42-31 O/U this season but the Lakers have the league’s lowest Over percentage at 38.4%.

If Game 2 is anything like Game 1, expect a low-scoring, close game.

Take UNDER 209.5 (-110).

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