NBA Predictions and Best Bets – April 13, 2021

The NBA cools down a bit on Tuesday, with just six games on the docket. It still looks like a fun schedule at first glance, with big names like Kawhi Leonard, Trae Young, and Damian Lillard ready to hit the floor.

I’m back to hand out some more NBA picks and predictions, but before I do, let’s take a look at the full schedule for April 13th, 2021.

This is a very competitive slate. Most of these games are evenly matched, which should equate to mostly tight spreads.

That could complicate matters for sports bettors, but I’m here to help you sort through the madness. Join me as I quickly break down each game and gauge the best NBA bets for Tuesday night.

The Clippers feel like the easy call here. They should have Kawhi Leonard back after he rested on Sunday, and they have a major incentive to keep the wins coming.

Indiana needs to win to stay in the playoff hunt, but they have been banged up, and they typically don’t rebound very well.

Whenever I see Toronto on the schedule, I am looking for reasons to bet against them. Kyle Lowry is back, and the Raptors are slowly getting healthy again, but they remain a mess.

Toronto has not been good even when at full strength this year and things haven’t changed during their current 3-7 run.

The Raptors should be better than the Hawks, but they simply aren’t.

Trae Young and Clint Capela should be back after taking a breather, too, and a surging Atlanta squad (7-3 over their last 10) is the safer team to back here.

Los Angeles will be getting some serious reinforcements in due time, as expected return timelines were finally announced for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Sources: Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis could return in 10-14 days, with LeBron James close be… – via @ESPN App https://t.co/RMkGzHBmPp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2021

That should perk the Lakers up a bit, and it’ll be hard not to like their chances against a banged-up Charlotte team.

The Hornets have fought the good fight ever since LaMelo Ball succumbed to a wrist injury, but they’re not 100%, and the Lakers have to win to ensure they don’t have a nasty free fall.

I see L.A. motivated to get the job done here, but Charlotte’s solid pace should keep the Over in play.

The odds are bound to be gross here, but I can’t imagine a better spot to hammer the Jazz moneyline and keep on walking along.

Utah continues to rock on with the best record in the league, and they’re an insane 24-2 on their home floor. They’re extremely unlikely to make the mistake of overlooking the depleted and young Thunder.

OKC had some fight in them earlier this year, but they’ve wilted lately. Losers of six in a row and nine of their last 10, I no longer have interest in backing the Thunder in any capacity.

Utah is a solid bet across the board in this spot.

The Suns are a very tough team to bet against right now. They’re red hot (8-2 over their last 10 games), they’re very good at home, and they play smothering defense.

Phoenix still has their eye on the top record in the league, and the incoming Heat plays a similar brand of slow, defensive-minded basketball.

Boston heads to the Moda Center to try to take out Damian Lillard and the Blazers. I don’t see it happening, but the Celtics proved they shouldn’t be doubted after closing on a wild 40-8 run to beat Denver in their last game.

That was one heck of a win in Denver, and it all started during the final two minutes of the third quarter. https://t.co/oMJgc55qVw

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 11, 2021

That’s impressive, but it’s not predictive of what’s to come. The reality is the Celtics have run hot and cold all year, and they’re just 11-16 on the road.

Portland is at full strength, they’re 16-11 at home, and they happen to match up well with Boston. I expect a close one, but I think Dame Dolla comes up big here.

There aren’t many appealing NBA underdogs on this slate. With Kawhi out you can entertain Indiana at +135, while a massive dog like OKC (+1250 at BetOnline) is always at least worth mentioning.

As far as actually viable NBA bets go, though, I’d stick with the list above.

The Nets game was added to this slate after being PPD last night. I think the pace and lack of defense makes the Over a fine bet, while Minnesota at +6.5 looks pretty good based on the way they’ve been playing.

Kyle Lowry is out, so I like the Hawks even more than before. Just make sure Trae Young also isn’t sidelined again before biting down on that one.

L.A. is down a key star, but I still like them at -155, and the Suns and Blazers are both very appealing at home at their current prices.

There is really nice value with the favorites on this slate. Betting on OKC at +17 or even as a fun YOLO upset play could be worth a try, but for the most part, Tuesday is about the favored teams for me.