NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | April 3

Wednesday marks the midway part of an important week for the NBA. Time is running out in the regular season, so games between playoff contenders have big ramifications. The timing is also good to start looking at the latest sportsbook promos to help you get ready for the end of the regular season and the playoffs to come. For now, the USA Legal Betting will focus on Wednesday’s games. Here are our three favorite NBA picks on Wednesday. 

Pacers -7.5 | -110 at FanDuel

This is an interesting spot because these teams met on Monday in Indianapolis with the Pacers blowing out the Nets 133-111 as 12.5-point favorites. The optimistic fans in Brooklyn using New York sports betting might think the Nets will surely perform better in the rematch, especially at home. But that doesn’t take into account how bad the Nets have been lately, losing eight of their last 11 games. Even at home, the 7.5-point spread isn’t enough to give Brooklyn the benefit of the doubt.

Keep in mind the Pacers have won five of their last seven games, going 5-2 against the spread during that stretch. When things are clicking, the Indiana offense operates at a high level and can put up a ton of points. In their last 11 games, the Pacers have scored at least 120 points eight times. The Nets don’t have the firepower to match that type of production, which is why we’re willing to eat 7.5 points.

Pistons +12.5 | -110 at BetMGM

The Pistons might be bad, but not bad enough to be double-digit underdogs against a team with a losing record. That should be enough to excite fans in Detroit using Michigan sportsbooks. The Pistons have actually won against the spread in two of their last three games as a double-digit underdogs, doing so against much better teams. That makes us think this spread is way too big.

Let’s not forget the Hawks have the worst record against the spread in the NBA this season. Even if the Hawks come up with a few surprising wins lately, covering a double-digit spread seems out of Atlanta’s wheelhouse. Plus, the Hawks could easily have a letdown against another bad team since they have nothing to prove. That should make this an ugly but competitive game, which is why we’re taking the underdog.

Pelicans -4.5 | -110 at BetRivers

It’s tempting to look at the BetRivers odds and take the Magic in this game because they’ve had a great second half. However, Orlando has stumbled over the last five games, going 2-3 straight-up and 1-4 against the spread. The Magic barely beat the Trail Blazers on Monday, winning by one point as 17-point favorites. Coming off a poor homestand, it’s tough to get behind the Magic as they open up a stretch of games on the road toward the end of the season.

In fairness, the Pelicans are also 1-4 against the spread in their last five games. Brandon Ingram being out of the lineup has thrown New Orleans for a loop. However, they’ve also played a tough schedule lately, which helps explain their recent struggles. Desperation is starting to set in for the Pelicans, who are locked in a tight race with Dallas for the Southwest Division title. That should give the Pelicans the motivation they need to get a much-needed win on Wednesday.