Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The Final Four – and a great one, at that – is upon us, but the NBA also has plenty to offer when it comes to basketball’s best month of the year. The professional circuit’s regular season is coming down the home stretch, with plenty of intriguing battles for playoff positioning in progress. On Saturday we have a 5-game schedule, headlined by a showdown on NBA TV between the Nets and Hawks.
Let’s take a look at today’s three-team mega parlay.
Hawks ML (+110)
Heat -8 alternate spread (+210)
Jazz -2 (-110)
Parlay odds: +1143
For this parlay we are going with two favorites against the spread – one on an alternate number – and one underdog on the money line. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Hawks ML over Nets (+110)
When the season started, not many would have predicted that the Nets and Hawks would have the exact same record in April. If and if people were told that those teams would have the same record, it would probably be assumed that they were battling it out near the top of the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Nets and Hawks are both 40-37 and scrambling for play-in tournament positioning. Each club has clinched a top-10 spot, but being in the 7-8 game instead of the 9-10 game is a huge difference and therefore there is a lot on the line in this showdown. The Hawks have won and covered in 4 consecutive contests, so they are carrying a lot of momentum and also have home-court advantage. Even though Kyrie Irving can play in every game now, the Nets have not really found a consistent stride. An overtime loss to Milwaukee earlier this week was costly and there could be a bit of a hangover effect. Atlanta has got hot at the right time and should be able to keep its winning streak going.
Check out our Nets vs Hawks preview
Heat -8 alternate spread over Bulls (+210)
The Bulls made a miraculous double-digit comeback at home against the Clippers two nights ago, securing the win behind DeMar DeRozan’s 50-point performance. However, Chicago has still had notable struggles against quality teams this season and that might be a problem in Saturday’s matchup as the Heat come to town eyeing the #1 seed in the playoffs. Miami is dangerous on both ends of the floor. It boasts the 4th-best defensive rating in the league and the 12th-best offensive rating, which has been done even with major injuries throughout the year. The Heat should be at full strength for this game and with a healthy lineup they are the far more well-rounded team in this game and should be able to handle Chicago on both offense and defense. With only a 1-game lead in the East, look for Miami to play inspired basketball and win big.
Check out all our NBA previews and picks for Saturday
Jazz -2 over Warriors (-110)
The Warriors enter tonight’s game on a 4-game losing streak, which is only the second time they have lost 4 consecutive games this season. They have lost 7 of their last 10. The visiting Jazz are coming off a 122-109 home win over the Lakers on Thursday. With 5 games remaining on their schedule and 3 of those against the top 3 teams in the Western Conference, the Jazz will be motivated to take care of business and perhaps climb up the standings toward the #3 seed, which the Warriors currently occupy. Utah’s Donovan Mitchell is in fine form, whereas Golden State is without Stephen Curry. Don’t be surprised if the undermanned Warriors fail to keep this one close.
Check out our Jazz vs Warriors preview
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