NBA Predictions and Betting Picks – April 12, 2021

I have not been sad about the return of baseball, for two reasons. First, because betting on baseball is a great way to make money, but secondly, because the NBA has been insane.

The volatility of the NBA is so wild, that I totally understand if you need a break. Whether you bet on NBA games tonight or not, consider pivoting to baseball with Monday’s MLB predictions and picks.

If you’re game for betting on the NBA, let’s first take a look at who is playing on April 12th.

The game of the night is likely one of the early games that gets Monday’s action going, where Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid will face off.

That’s assuming neither end up sitting this one out for rest. Dallas did play on Sunday, so you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on that.

Elsewhere, the Kings vs. Pelicans game promises to be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. If that isn’t a spot to hammer the Over, I’m not sure what is.

There aren’t any other high-profile matchups, but that actually could give bettors some wiggle room to take some shots and make money betting on the NBA.

For my favorite NBA picks and predictions, read on.

This pick depends on health. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris have missed some time at some point in recent weeks, so you’ll want to be confident they’re all playing.

The most likely guy to sit out here would be Kristaps Porzingis, who crushed last night, but logged 36 minutes.

If Porzingis is out and the Philly guys are in, the Sixers are a slam dunk. I’d still like Philly if both teams are 100%, just because they have more defensive upside, and Dallas doesn’t have anyone that can stop Embiid down low.

Ultimately, I really like Philly and the Over.

This one could be a bit of a snoozer, just because the Knicks defend pretty well and tend to slow games down (30th in pace.

However, the Knicks did play last night, so they could be a bit tired here.

On the other side are the Lakers, who are trying to hold things together and prevent a free fall. They already know LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be back in a few weeks, too.

Anthony Davis could return to the floor in 10-14 days, while LeBron James could be back soon after that, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/ETVQfqrBHM

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 11, 2021

The Lake Show could get Kyle Kuzma back for this one, and Andre Drummond is healthy. I think they have enough to get a nice road win against a potentially tired opponent.

The Lakers and the Under stand out in this one.

Smash the Nets and the Over here. Minnesota is 3rd in pace, and when the Nets are even close to full strength, they also look to score a ton.

Brooklyn will have Kyrie Irving back after seeing him get ejected in his last game, and Kevin Durant should be gearing up for his third game since returning from a long layoff.

Brooklyn is also the better team, and Minnesota should be tired after playing on Sunday. That, and the Timberwolves don’t have major incentive to win games right now.

The Spurs scored a clutch win over the Mavs last night, and they’ll hope to string some wins together as they move forward.

Obviously they’re going to be a bit worn down after playing last night, but it’s a wash with Orlando also having played on Sunday.

With fatigue a non-factor, bettors can note the Magic aren’t remotely healthy, and are also flat out talent-starved. The Spurs are still trying to will their way into the Western Conference playoffs, too, and are just one game out of the final spot.

I love the Spurs here, but don’t have a direct lean on the game total.

Brace for all of the points. The Kings and Pels push the pace, put up points, and don’t defend. They both are bottom-three in defensive efficiency, and top-11 in terms of pace.

There is going to be endless scoring in this game, and a good amount of it will be powered by Zion Williamson. He is a man possessed right now, and is just on an epic tear over his last 10 games.

Zion Williamson last 10 games:

31.3 PPG
8.1 RPG
4.3 APG
62.0 FG%

Already a top 5 offensive player in the league? pic.twitter.com/rMrqoLjlFq

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 12, 2021

Sacramento is going to have zero answer for Zion inside, but the Pels allow 115 points per game on the other end, too.

Williamson is clearly playing focused ball right now, and the Pels are trending in the right direction with two straight wins. I won’t hop off of the Zion Train here.

Give me the Pels and the Over.

The real question here is if the Wizards can hang with the Jazz on the road. I tend to doubt it, but if news breaks that Bradley Beal is a full go, you just never know.

My gut instinct is the Wizards will probably do the opposite of whatever I think they’ll do. It’s kind of been their M.O. for my for as long as time has been a thing, so just keep that in mind.

That said, the Wizards obviously aren’t very good. They play faster than literally anyone in the league and they can score, but they don’t defend worth a lick.

Washington is on life support at 19-33, and they’re 9-17 on the road. It gets worse when you look at the Jazz, who own the league’s best point differential (9.7), are still trying to hold onto the NBA’s best record, and are an amazing 24-2 at home.

Utah should house the Wizards, but the Over is still probably going to be within reach.

Just when you think you know who the Bulls and Grizzlies are, they both drop two in a row. Both Chicago and Memphis have a shot at making the playoffs, but they continue to tempt fate.

The Grizzlies play host here and feel like the easier team to trust. They have an answer for Nikola Vucevic down low with Jonas Valanciunas, they have a steadier hand at point guard in Ja Morant, and they have better overall depth.

Memphis is weirdly just 12-15 at home, but I still give them the slight edge here, while also having some interest in the Over.

Truth be told, though, this is probably a game I’d look to avoid if I’m betting on the NBA on Monday.

Golden State has no real answer for Nikola Jokic down low, so the only hope here is Jamal Murray sitting out, and also probably an epic flamethrower night out of Stephen Curry.

Murray has been nicked up, so that’s still possible, and it’s certainly worth noting how hot Curry has been lately.

Seriously, check out his last six games.

Even with Curry raining fire from above, the Dubs are just 3-3 during his recent tear. It’s something to think about, but Denver withstood Curry’s hot shooting in a 114-104 win earlier this year.

I expect more of the same. Give me Denver and the Over.

The last meeting between these teams probably makes this game a trap, depending on the final odds.

Kevin Porter Jr. and co. gave the Suns a hard fight in a wild 133-130 loss, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in that.

Phoenix didn’t play as well as they normally do defensively, and that game was also in Houston.

Things shape up differently on Monday, where the 37-15 Suns will look to add to a 20-8 home record.

Phoenix is also on fire these days, as they’re 8-2 over their last 10 games and are in hot pursuit of the league’s best record. If they’re going to get there, they can’t lose easy home games like this.

I love the Suns, but Houston’s fast pace and poor defense also keep the Over in play.

I am a big fan of all of the NBA bets above. The Lakers are down their two best players, but they’re still capable of being competitive.

My predictions have L.A. beating the Knicks, so you better believe I’m interested in them as an ATS play. You can obviously double down with them as a straight-up underdog winner, too.

San Antonio could be tired after taking out the Mavs, but they don’t have time to rest. Orlando is depleted and inferior. I think the Spurs leave no doubt there.

The game total for the Kings vs. Pels game is too low. That seems crazy (it’s 232!), but it isn’t. Both teams usually have over/unders that are even higher, yet the Over is 30-23 for Kings games, and the Pels lead the league with the Over going 35-18 in their games.

I think bettors can cap off the night by just backing the Suns to coast against the Rockets. Houston routinely gets blown out, so I’ll gladly completely ignore the recent meeting being really close.

What I care about is the Rockets owning a -6.5 point differential, Phoenix wielding the NBA’s 6th best defense, and the Rockets being 17-36 against the spread (worst in the league).

I love all of these NBA picks for Monday. Whether you agree or not, make sure you use the best mobile NBA betting apps before placing any bets.