The 2023 NBA Playoffs kick off this Saturday night with a great four game slate! As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for all four games below.
NBA Saturday Betting Picks
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
Wells Fargo Center, 1pm (ET)
The Nets lost their two best players throughout the season but still managed to scrape into the playoffs in the 6th seed to face the 76ers. The 76ers battled injuries to key players throughout the season but enter this postseason in full health, with their star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden having both finished the season strongly.
The76ers start as 8.5 point favourites at home for Game 1, which I think is s touch high for an opening playoff game. The Nets come into the postseason in full health as well, and have a strong record against the spread on the road at 22-18-1. Back them to cover here.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, 3.30pm (ET)
The Celtics claimed the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference after a strong regular season. They battled injuries to key players late in the season but enter the postseason in full health, with Robert Williams, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart all back in the line-up following injuries.
The Celtics start as 9 point favourites at home, and I like them at that line. They have been fantastic at home this season, going 32-9 straight up and 24-17 against the spread at the TD Garden. On the contrary, the Hawks are 18-23 against the spread on the road.
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, 6.00pm (ET)
The Cavs ended their regular season in strong fashion, winning 7 of thier last 10 games on the back of some brilliant play from Donovan Mitchell. The star point guard scored over 40 points in his last four straight games and will enter the playoffs as a player with a ton of expectations.
The Knicks have been one of the best teams against the spread on the road this season, maintaining a 26-14 record in that category. Star power forward Julius Randle is currently listed as questionable for the clash, but we are expecting him to play. I think the +5 is good value here for the Knicks.
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings
Golden1 Center, 8.30pm (ET)
The Kings were the surprise packet of the 2022-23 season, winning the Pacific Division at massive odds to claim the No.3 seed overall in the West. They will have a tough matchup in the first round as they face the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors have fought through injuries all season but all of their key players are right to go leading into the playoffs, particularly Andrew Wiggins, who has missed the majority of the regular season but will play an important role in the title defence. The Warriors have been terrible on the road this season at 11-30 straight up and 12-28-1 against the spread away from San Francisco. Back the Kings to get the job done at home.
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