NBA Best Bets: Tuesday, April 19th

The first round of the NBA Playoffs is a feast for basketball fans. Tuesday night is no different with three more games taking place. Our focus here is on the one-eight and two-seven matchups in the Western Conference – here are our best bets.

NBA Best Bets Tuesday, April 19th 

• Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Memphis Grizzlies -5.5 at 1.78
• Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans: Phoenix Suns -9.5 at 1.93

Odds as at 3 pm April 19th 2022. Odds may now differ.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves Best Bet

Wed, Apr 20,  01:30 (UK)

Perhaps the most even matchup in the first round, the Memphis Grizzlies are under a fair bit of pressure heading into Game Two after losing the opener. There’s not a strong consensus with the spread for this one, with bookies ranging from anywhere between five and eight points in Memphis’ favour.

Minnesota is a talented seven seed and came into the postseason on a hot run, having ranked fourth in net rating since All-Star. Memphis was second by the same metric over that period, however, and will feel they can blame some cold outside shooting for the Game One loss (they went seven-for-27 from deep).

Taylor Jenkins has a big decision to make with Steven Adams. The former Thunder big man was lost throughout the first game of this series. Jaren Jackson Jr is going to have to play the five a lot in this matchup, which forces Jenkins to mix up his rotations and relinquish some of their rebounding advantage that Adams provides.

While there are tweaks to be made by the Grizz, there’s a case to be made that they just had an off night in Game One. ShotQuality.com had the hosts winning by a clear margin on the quality of their shot attempts, projecting them to win the game 90% of the time. Minnesota cannot rely on the same productivity from Malik Beasley in Jaden McDaniels in the same way Memphis can reasonably expect much more from up and down its roster.

This should be another entertaining game. Memphis are deservedly favourites, but we’d look for an alternative spread here. Even at relatively short odds, there’s value on the Grizz at -5.5.

• Selection: Memphis Grizzlies -5.5
• Best Odds: 1.78 (Marathonbet)
• Stakes: 9/10

More tips for Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves

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Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet

Wed, Apr 20. 03:00 (UK)

Coming off an 11-point win in Game One, the Phoenix Suns are generally favoured by 9.5 for Game Two. New Orleans impressed in the Play-In Tournament to make it into the playoffs, but they are overmatched in this series and will be lucky to avoid a sweep.

It was a Chris Paul masterclass in the series opener with the Point God dropping 30 on just 16 shots. Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges combined for just 12 points, though their defence played a significant role in the Suns holding the Pelicans to under 38% from the field. Even a dominant effort from Jonas Valanciunas on the glass wasn’t enough to swing the game in New Orleans’ favour (they finished with 20 more boards than Phoenix).

Two-big line ups with Jaxson Hayes and Valanciunas were torched, limiting Hayes to just 11 minutes and a -11. Larry Nance Jr has a big role to play on Tuesday night as a result. Ultimately, though, the Suns were a difficult matchup for anyone in the first round, and that’s exaggerated against this Pelicans team.

Phoenix’s defence can make it tough for Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. The microwave scoring of Devonte’ Graham off the bench is pretty much a non-factor given how he will be targeted on defence. A lot falls on Valanciunas to be more than a dominant rebounder – he scored just 18 on 21 shots in Game One.

For all the Pelicans’ strong play since the McCollum trade, they are much the weaker team in this series. The Suns have won four of five against New Orleans in 2021-22, covering this spread in all of those wins. We’re backing Phoenix to record another routine win.

• Selection: Phoenix Suns -9.5
• Best Odds: 1.93 (Marathonbet)
• Stakes: 7/10

More tips for Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans

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