The NBA regular season is in the books and the playoff bracket is nearly set. First, we have the NBA Play-In games for both conferences to determine which teams will fill the final spots in the 2022 playoff field.
With two of these games on tap on TNT tonight, here are the NBA odds, 2022 schedule and predictions for Tuesday, April 12.
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament 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
Cleveland Cavaliers (8) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)
Spread: CLE: +8.5 (-110) | BKN: -8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: CLE: +300 | BKN: -400
Over/Under: 228.5 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Nets Game Time: 7 p.m. EST
Cavaliers vs Nets Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Los Angeles Clippers (8) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (7)
Spread: LAC: +3.5 (-110) | MIN: -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: LAC: +130 | MIN: -150
Over/Under: 230.5 (-110)
Clippers vs Timberwolves Game Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
Clippers vs Timberwolves Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
NBA Play-In Game Predictions Today and Best Bets
NBA Best Bet April 12: Brooklyn Nets -8.5 (-110) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, available at BetMGM
The teams the Brooklyn Nets played down the stretch were not good, but they took care of business, winning their final four games by an average of 11 points. One of those contests was against the Cleveland Cavaliers just last Friday, a game the Nets won by 11.
Similar to that game, I expect Brooklyn to rely heavily on its stars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Nets won’t want to be wasting their time playing multiple games before the playoffs, so look for them to take care of business against a Cleveland team that will be without All-Star big man Jarrett Allen.
I simply don’t think the Cavaliers have enough offense to keep up with the Nets, who are both more talented and experienced. Look for Brooklyn to advance and take home a double-digit win.
NBA Best Prop Bet April 12: Kyrie Irving Over 2.5 Turnovers (-115), available at BetMGM
Irving hasn’t been the super star we know him to be since the NBA Covid protocols changed, allowing him to play in both Nets home and road games. He looks to be getting his sea legs under him, but turnovers have been an issue for Kyrie all season — he averaged 2.5 turnovers per game.
However, this average has risen to 3.3 per game over his past seven contests, and he at least three turnovers in five of those seven games. With a run like that, we will bet the over until he finds his way out of this slump.
NBA Best Bet April 12: Clippers vs. Timberwolves Under 230.5 (-110), available at BetMGM
These two teams are capable of playing solid defense, and the defensive intensity should rise in tonight’s Western Conference Play-In Game. The Clippers ranked eighth in defensive efficiency this season, despite missing players like Paul George and Norman Powell for extended stretches. Those two are both back for this game, so we could see an even more cohesive defense from the Clips. The Timberwolves weren’t far behind, ranking 13th in defensive efficiency this season, and Patrick Beverley’s infectious attitude and energy should spread to the rest of the lineup.
We also know of the well-documented shooting struggles of George in big games. There is a good chance he is off the mark again in this game, which would really help the under to hit. Plus, the two teams combine to average 224.3 points per game. This all points to the under for me, making it one of my best bets for the NBA Play-In games on Tuesday night.
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