The road to the NBA Championship rolls on. With four matchups on the NBA Sunday playoff slate, there's plenty of value on the board.
Let's take a look at spread, moneyline and total plays to help you beat the books tonight:
Jump To Picks:
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Matchup Page: New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers, 1pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +5.5 (-110) | +181 | O 209 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -5.5 (-110) | -204 | U 209 (-110) |
Pick: OVER 209
Joel Embiid exploded for 50 to get his team back into this series in Game 3. Nick Nurse's squad will need more of the same as they look to avoid the dreaded 3-1 hole.
A grand total of six Knicks are scoring in double figures so far this series. Josh Hart has gone ballistic, scoring 21 points-per-game thus far. The Villanova product has knocked down 45% of shots, and 52% from beyond the arc.
New playoff career high for Joel Embiid, who has 41 points!
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 26, 2024
13-18 FG
5-7 3FG
10-11 FT
7 rebounds
4 assists
Sixers lead 111-99 with 5:50 to go in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/zC3F7Z3R1s
Philadelphia's role players have also been on fire at home. The Sixers shot 15-of-31 from deep in Game 3 and I expect that to continue this afternoon. Embiid is shooting 47% and Tyrese Maxey is knocking down 50% of his shots. Philadelphia's star duo is scoring 68 points per contest. Clearly, the Knicks have few answers for the Embiid enigma.
While these are two of the most creative defensive coaches in the game, the shooting splits are tough to ignore. Plus, both the Knicks and Sixers have been sizzling from deep. I love the OVER 209 in this one.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks, 3:30pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +6 (-110) | +156 | O 209.5 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks | -6 (-110) | -186 | U 209.5 (-110) |
Pick: Mavericks -6
Dallas' defense is beginning to take control of this first round series'. The Mavs forced 19 turnovers and allowed just 18 second-quarter points to take Game 3 on Friday. On top of that, they racked up six steals and five blocks in the first half, and finished with 19 combined steals and blocks. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively have exerted their will on the Clippers, going off for 21 points, six rebounds and five blocks from the center position in Game 3.
On top of that, Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard appeared to labor through much of his 35 minutes the other night. He's questionable for Game 4. If Kawhi is hobbled in anyway, I'm betting two units on the Mavericks at -6.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns
Matchup Page: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns, 9:30pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -1.5 (-110) | -118 | O 211.5 (-110) |
| Phoenix Suns | +1.5 (-110) | +100 | U 211.5 (-110) |
Pick: Timberwolves -1.5
Three games, three wins, three covers. That pretty much sums up Minnesota’s somewhat surprising dominance of the Suns in this first-round series, which continued with a 17-point victory in Phoenix in Game 3. The Timberwolves have been more physical and more assertive defensively, and it’s taken the Suns completely out of their rhythm. With Phoenix playing like a team ready to hit the golf course, we’d expect nothing different in Game 4 on Sunday.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks, 3:30pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +6 (-110) | +156 | O 209.5 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks | -6 (-110) | -186 | U 209.5 (-110) |
Pick: Mavericks -6
After a victory in Game 1 in Los Angeles, it’s been all downhill in this series for the Clippers, who have dropped two straight to the Mavericks both overall and against the spread--most recently by 11 points in Dallas on Friday. Kawhi Leonard, who missed 22 days with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, is questionable again after struggling through 35 minutes in Game 2. Mavs star Luka Doncic is questionable as well (right knee soreness), but all indications from the Dallas camp are that he will play in Sunday’s Game 4
