Tuesday’s eight-game NBA slate finally gets the basketball world to itself once again as the college basketball season is now over. TNT will broadcast tonight’s doubleheader, featuring the Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics & Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors.
Last night, I went 1-3 to bring my season-long record to 81-49-2 ATS (62.3%). Here are four more free NBA picks to get things going in the right direction on 4/6/2021.
Table of contents
- Chicago Bulls (-1) at Indiana Pacers – Total: 226
- New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks (-3.5) – Total: 227.5
- Philadelphia 76ers (-2) at Boston Celtics – Total: 221
- Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets (-13) – Total: 215.5
Chicago Bulls (-1) at Indiana Pacers – Total: 226
CHI: normal rest
IND: 2 days rest, front-end b2b (vs MIN tomorrow)
Before the last meeting between these teams, the Pacers had won 10 straight matchups. However, that Indy success may be a thing of the past. The Bulls took the last meeting and also improved their roster at the trade deadline, adding Nikola Vucevic and Daniel Theis.
The Pacers are a bit banged up, with Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb all listed as questionable. I already like the Bulls in this matchup as it is, but those guys going from questionable to out would actually have me increasing my bet.
Betting Pick: Bulls (-1)
New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks (-3.5) – Total: 227.5
NOR: 4 games in 6 days, front-end b2b (@BKN tomorrow)
ATL: 4 games in 6 days, front-end b2b (vs MEM tomorrow)
The Hawks are 6-0 SU/ATS in their last 6 home games. It’s impressive, I agree. It’s even more impressive that they played an unbalanced schedule, with 15 road games, in the midst of that streak. Tonight will only be the seventh game in ATL since Feb. 21 (44 days). Look for the Hawks to continue their winning ways at home and get it done for ATL faithful.
Betting Pick: Hawks (-3.5)
Philadelphia 76ers (-2) at Boston Celtics – Total: 221
PHI: 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6
BOS: normal rest, front-end b2b (vs NYK tomorrow)
I’m feeling good about the 76ers in this matchup, who have won two of the last three meetings (3-0 ATS) against the Celtics. It’s interesting to note the stark contrast in records against similar opponents in the Atlantic Division, as Philly has an 6-3-1 ATS record while Boston is a dreadful 2-6 ATS. The 76ers get Joel Embiid back in the lineup for a good matchup against a Celtics team that will have a lack of size without Tristan Thompson.
Betting Pick: 76ers (-2)
Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets (-13) – Total: 215.5
DET: back-end b2b (@OKC yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6, 5 in 7
DEN: normal rest, front-end b2b (vs SA tomorrow)
Simply put, the Pistons should be gassed beyond belief for this matchup. Tonight will Detroit’s second game in as many nights, in addition to being on strings of three games in four days and five games in seven days. Denver is the NBA’s toughest playing environment, with the highest altitude. That alone should make it impossible for a lowly team like the Pistons to stay competitive tonight.
Betting Pick: Nuggets (-13.5)
