The NBA Play-In Tournament kicked off last night with each conference’s “Seven-Eight Game.” Tonight, the ninth and 10th seeds in each conference will compete for the chance to play the losers of Tuesday’s games — the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers — with a chance to make it into the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
With both games tonight on ESPN, here are the NBA odds, 2022 schedule and predictions for Wednesday, April 13.
How Does the NBA Play-In Work?
NBA Play-In Rules Explained: Teams with the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th-best records in each conference will be playing for the final two spots in the NBA Playoffs. Teams with the seventh and eighth-best records will play in the “Seven-Eight” game. The winner becomes the seven-seed, while the loser will host the winner of the “Nine-10” game for the final spot in the playoffs.
NBA Play-In Game Odds and Schedule
Charlotte Hornets (10) vs. Atlanta Hawks (9)
Spread: CHA: +5.5 (-110) | ATL: -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: CHA: +180 | ATL: -225
Over/Under: 236.5 (-110)
Hornets vs. Hawks Game Time: 7 p.m. EST
Hornets vs. Hawks Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
San Antonio Spurs (10) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (9)
Spread: SAS: +5.5 (-110) | NOP: -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: SAS: +180 | NOP: -225
Over/Under: 226.5 (-110)
Spurs vs. Pelicans Game Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
Spurs vs. Pelicans Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
NBA Play-In Game Predictions Today and Best Bets
NBA Best Bet April 13: Atlanta Hawks First Half -2.5 (-115), available at BetMGM
The Atlanta Hawks were the highest first-half scoring team in the NBA this season, averaging 59.4 points per contest. The Hornets, meanwhile, averaged 57.1 points per game in the first half. The Hawks also have an average first-half margin of +2.2 on the season, which rises to +2.7 in home games. The Hornets, on the other hand, are -1.0 in the first half of road games this season.
These season-long numbers point to taking the Hawks, and the last matchup between these two teams is what makes this my best bet. When they played on March 16, the Hornets won 10 points. However, the Hawks led by five at the half. The Hawks also had an 11-point halftime lead when these two teams played on January 23.
Look for Atlanta to get off to a hot start once again tonight and cover the 2.5 points in the first half.
NBA Best Bet April 13: Spurs vs Pelicans Under 226.5 Points (-110), available at BetMGM
Across four matchups between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans this season, the game totals averaged 218.0 points, coming in far under this projected over/under total. The point total has actually hit the under in seven of the past eight games between the Spurs and Pelicans.
However, the trend of hitting the under goes far beyond when these two play each other. The Spurs have seen their game totals hit the under in 12 of their last 18 games. The under has also hit for the Pelicans in nine of their last 13 games.
Look for another under with both teams likely to step up their defensive intensity in tonight’s win-or-go home game.
NBA Best Prop Bet April 13: Jakob Poeltl Over 8.5 Rebounds (-130), available at BetMGM
Jakob Poeltl has developed into a solid post player for San Antonio. Looking at his rebounding production in particular, Poeltl averaged 3.5 more rebounds per game this season than last, pulling down an average of 9.7 per game. He has improved upon this average of the final 20 games of the season, averaging 10.1 rebounds per contest.
While the Pelicans have a solid big man in Jonas Valanciunas, this hasn’t slowed Poeltl this season when taking on New Orleans. In the four matchups, he racked up 12, 11, 8 and 11 rebounds, respectively. With many missed shots expected tonight (see above about taking the under), Poeltl should rack up at least nine rebounds and cash this prop bet play.
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