NBA Best Bets April 25th: Expert Picks & Predictions for Celtics vs Hawks, Clippers vs Suns, and Nuggets vs Timberwolves

With three elimination games taking center stage on Tuesday, prospective bettors will have their pick of the litter when it comes to NBA wagers. Ahead of the packed slate, Lineups’ team of NBA experts came together to organize their favorite picks and predictions for the evening.

NBA Best Bets: April 25th

Follow the best bets for the April 25th slate from the experts at Lineups below.

Patrick Best Bet:

Dating back to mid-March, the Nuggets have a 6-1 record against the spread (ATS) following a loss. Their ability to bounce back coming off defeat coupled with the fact that they currently own the league’s best home record at 36-7 spells trouble for a Timberwolves team that has already become increasingly dependent on a 21 year old Anthony Edwards to provide half court offense for them throughout the series.

While 9.5 isn’t an insignificant amount of points to lay — especially in a game that effectively decides Minnesota’s season — the reality of elimination could ultimately help Nuggets’ backers if Minnesota gets desperate late and tries to foul to extend the game.

While it’s hard to assume Edwards will play as poorly as he did in Game 1, it’s also fair to assume that replicating his Game 3 performance — something he will likely need to do for the Nuggets to stay viable — will be a tall order. I like the Nuggets to close out the series tonight and cover the 9.5 point spread.
Author: Patrick Monnin

Kody Best Bet:

The Boston Celtics took their foot off the gas and paid dearly for it as the Atlanta Hawks offense took advantage and squeaked out a game four victory to avoid the series sweep. That win does not come without cost as Dejounte Murray grew frustrated with the officiating to the point he shoulder bumped into one after the game, warranting a one game suspension.

This loss of Murray potentially affects the Hawks scoring potential throughout the game as he carved out a role as the leading playmaker when Young went to the bench. The scoring versatility for the second unit is vital against a deep Celtics unit who seemingly has productive defenders in at every stage of the game.

This now forces more usage out of Trae Young at the guard position, giving more wear on his legs in an already grueling series. Without the worry of a secondary slashing guard, the Celtics can now throw help-side defense at Young and dare someone else to beat them over the top.
Author: Kody Malstrom

Jake Best Bet:

Devin Booker has been almost unstoppable for the Suns in this series. He’s been needed every step of the way for the Suns too because of how much the Clippers have tested Phoenix’s depth. The Clippers have played 11 total players in this series because of injuries, but none of them have been able to guard Booker at all. He’s averaging 35 points, 5.5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game this series. He’s carried Phoenix at times this series when they’e started slow and looked lethargic at times. Booker is the leading scorer in the playoffs so far but has really stayed consistent passing the ball and rebounding too. These don’t even mention how good he’s been on the defensive side too. He’s been a man on a mission from keeping Phoenix from losing in this series and it’s why this is a great bet for this game tonight in Phoenix. Booker should have another amazing game for the Suns at home, before they rest up and get ready for the next round, against most likely the Nuggets.
Author: Jake Faigus

Noah Best Bet:

Considering the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks were two of the best defensive teams in the league in the regular season, it’s a bit surprising that the Over has hit in each of the first four games of the series. In fact, the Over has hit the last six times these teams have played going back to the regular season.

The totals in those last six games have been 233, 220, 260, 247, 238 and 227. Now they face off in a win or go home matchup for Milwaukee with a total set at 219.5.

Fade those trends if you want – the under has to hit eventually. But that won’t be tonight.
Author: Noah Rosenstein

Drew Best Bet:

While I usually hate laying double-digits in any scenario in the NBA Playoffs, this is a rare exception. The Clippers will again be without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two superstars that have carried this otherwise mediocre basketball team. After a double-digit (12 points) road win, the Suns return home, eager to finish this series up before Kawhi Leonard returns. Further, if this series were to somehow extend to seven games, Paul George could make a surprise appearance, despite all signs and claims pointing to him being out until at least the second round.

Phoenix should wrap this up fairly easily, with Russell Westbrook being the biggest offensive threat for the Clippers. Despite Westbrook posting an impressive 37/6/4 line on an uber-efficient 17-29 shooting from the floor, the Clips still fell by double-digits. Don’t expect that to happen again, as he has been one of the most inefficient players this season. Lastly, the rebounding margin from last game is particularly problematic; Phoenix crushed the Clippers on the glass, securing 16 more rebounds and five more on the offensive glass. This game could be close through the first two-to-three quarter, but the Suns will break it open by the end.
Author: Andrew Norton