Free NBA picks and odds: Monday, April 12
Get primed for the NBA playoffs with a few potential first-round match ups. First, the Bucks will soldier on without Andrew Bogut against the Atlanta Hawks. Then, the Thunder will take on the Brandon Roy-less Portland Trailblazers. Here are today's free picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trailblazers (-4) – 10:00 p.m. ET
The Trailblazers (49-31, 44-34-2 ATS) won for the third time in four games after beating the Los Angeles Lakers 91-88 over the weekend. The win gives Portland 12 wins in its past 15 outings, though victory has been a little harder to come by on NBA odds—the team is just 2-3 against the spread in its past five games. Still, the Blazers have managed a 6-3-1 run ATS in their last 10 games despite the mini-skid. Playing at home won't be much of an advantage; Portland has covered just five of its past 10 home games.
The Thunder (49-31, 47-32 ATS) aren't exactly heating up with the playoffs around the corner. Oklahoma City has just one win in its last four games; it was embarrassed on Sunday when it lost 120-117 to lowly Golden State. Sports betting fans have been burned, too, as the Thunder have covered just twice in their last five outings against the spread (although Oklahoma has managed to cover six of its past 10). Losing to the Warriors snapped a four-game winning streak against the spread when playing on the road; Oklahoma City is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games away from home.
Oklahoma City is playing well on the road right now, and it will be eager to notch a win and build some momentum for the postseason. Portland will be playing without Brandon Roy, who is resting a sore knee.
Pick: Oklahoma City
Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks (-1.5) – 8:00 p.m. ET
Milwaukee (45-35, 52-27-1 ATS) has looked pretty solid despite losing Andrew Bogut to a brutal elbow injury. Although the Bucks lost 105-90 to Boston over the weekend, they managed to win four straight before that without Bogut. Milwaukee has been dominant on NBA betting lines; the team ripped off eight straight wins against the spread before the Boston loss and is 8-2 in its last 10 games ATS. Returning home should help, too, as the Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Atlanta (51-29, 46-34 ATS) has won back-to-back games but is just 3-3 in its last six games. The Hawks picked up a 105-95 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. That victory snapped a four-game losing streak against the spread; Atlanta is just 5-5 in its last 10 games at the sportsbook. The Hawks have also covered just five of their past 10 games away from home.
These teams have played each other close all season, but the Bucks are playing inspired basketball without Bogut. They'll get it done at home.
Pick: Milwaukee
