NBA Best Bets (April 1): Spurs vs. Warriors, Celtics vs. Heat Odds & Picks

It's April, folks. The month that starts for fools and ends with NBA Playoffs action. That means we have a dwindling number of games in the NBA regular season. Every betting slip is so important this month.

Tonight, the best and most interesting matchup is in Miami where the Celtics face the Heat. These teams could meet in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.

(Photo by Pepper Robinson/NBAE via Getty Images)

In this betting pick article for tonight's NBA basketball games, I pick one game prop, one marquee player prop, and revisit the NBA Playoff ddds for the teams on the bubble.

Use any of the 5 Best NBA Betting Apps to place your bets on tonight's hoops action and the rest of the season.

NBA Best Bets — Tonight's Top Game Pick: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

One of sports best rivalries is renewed tonight in South Beach as the Boston Celtics go into Kaseya Center to face the Miami Heat.

The Heat are scrambling for position in the NBA Playoffs, in a scrum with three other teams for the final four slots in the Eastern Conference. But records are unimportant tonight, as the Heat and Celtics battle again.

These teams have clashed in the conference finals four times, with Miami emerging victorious three times. Overall, the Celtics are 2-4 against Miami in the playoffs.

Odds favor Boston over Miami

According to FanDuel, Boston is -5 on the road against Miami tonight. Totals or Over/Under is 228.5. The Celtics were 11-5 in March, solidifying their grip on the No. 2 seed. Monday, Boston was defeated by Atlanta in the second game of its four-game road trip.

Boston is the best defensive team in the NBA, allowing just 106.9 points. A strength of that effort is its ability to switch quickly, and also a tenacious rebounding presence on the defensive end.

But this matchup poses a fantastic contrast: the Heat are the NBA's No. 2 overall scoring unit. They accomplish that through conventional methods: the Heat are not a heave it to the rafters 3-point team, they shoot about the average number of attempts beyond the arc. Their 120.2 points per game trails only Denver.

What about physicality? The Celtics and Heat are third and fourth in the league in rebounding. These rosters are packed with nose-to-the-ball guys who love to clean the glass. Tonight, both teams will want to send a message for a possible playoff matchup.

If the Heat can get the 7th seed, they would face the Celtics in the playoffs for the fourth time in the last seven years. That's a series we need, hoops fans.

I like Boston to be on its game tonight on the road. The schedule is growing short and the C's won't want to lose a second game in a row as they prepare for the postseason.

Due to the physical play we usually see in this rivalry, and the reliance on rebounding, I expect the score will be closer to 111-108 than it will be 120-118. Ignore the spread and the ML, and go for Totals.

This bet is from the Alternate Line odds market, which you can find inside the game details in your favorite sports betting app for basketball.

• GAME PICK: Celtics vs Heat Under 220.5, +174 from FanDuel

NBA Best Bets: First Basket Odds for April 1

Pay attention to load management and starting lineups before submitting a bet.

NBA Best Bets First Basket: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

• Victor Wembanyama To Score First Basket: +310

For some silly reason, many voters don't want to give Wemby the MVP Award. Something about "his time hasn't come yet." Well, OK. But that doesn't change the fact that the Spurs superstar is the most impactful player in the league.

In March, Wembanyama averaged 26.8 points per game and shot .512 from the field. He's in the "push" phase of the season, prepping for what he and his team and the Spurs fans hope can be a deep run. Let's go with the obvious for first bucket in SAS vs. GSW.

Thrillzz

4.8/5

FREE $100K Pick’em Entry 🏀

• Excellent choice of sports.
• Pre-match and live picks.
• Strong community vibe.

400% Extra: Deposit $10 Get $50

Claim Now

NBA Playoff Odds

The top few seeds in each conference are fairly set. The No. 1 seeds will likely be the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West and the Detroit Pistons in the East.

But spots for the NBA Play-In tournament are up for grabs. Here are odds for Making the NBA Playoffs, from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Eastern Conference

• Atlanta Hawks: -1400
• Toronto Raptors: -900
• Philadelphia 76ers: -750
• Miami Heat: -115
• Orlando Magic: +150

Western Conference

• Phoenix Suns: -425
• Los Angeles Clippers: -210
• Portland Trailblazers: +200
• Golden State Warriors: +300

Teams who finish 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th in each conference play to secure the 7th and 8th seeds.

• BEST BET: Orlando Magic +150 to make NBA Playoffs. A winning $100 bet would earn $150.