The 2023-24 NBA regular season is coming to an end and we’re continuing to tackle it hard at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel continues to provide you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Monday, April 1st. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on April 1
2023 Record: 292-310-2 (-15.83 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – April 1
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
This total opened at 229.5 and has gone down, but it has swung too far in the other direction. That said, I’ll be hoping for some points in this one. The Nets had gone Over the total in back-to-back games before combining to score 220 with the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday. But Brooklyn shot uncharacteristically poorly in that game, and Los Angeles was locked in defensively from the jump. The Nets should have a little more success against the Pacers, who have given up at least 115 points in three of their last four games. Brooklyn also happened to score just 100 points on 42.9% shooting against Indiana on March 16th, so some sound adjustments should be coming from head coach Kevin Ollie.
The reality is that it’s hard for games to be low scoring when the Pacers are playing at the second-fastest pace in the league. So, even though Indiana has been going Under more often than not lately, some Overs are definitely coming. And it feels pretty likely that it happens here. The Nets have nobody that can keep Tyrese Haliburton from getting where he wants on the floor, and Myles Turner’s ability to shoot the ball will draw Nic Claxton away from the rim. That will create all sorts of opportunities for guys like Pascal Siakam to score at the rim. And the Nets should get quite a bit out of Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges here.
Bet: Over 227 (-110 – 1.5 units)
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
I’m going against a situational spot I’ve been riding all season here. Chicago is on the second night of a back-to-back, and the team is playing for the third time in four nights. However, the Bulls are hosting a very weak Hawks team here, and winning this game can pretty much lock up home-court advantage for Chicago in a 9 vs. 10 Play-In Tournament game against this Atlanta squad. That would be absolutely massive for the Bulls, so I’m expecting them to come out with a playoff intensity here. Considering Chicago is the more talented team, I just don’t have any reason to believe the Bulls will lose.
It does seem like Atlanta will be getting Jalen Johnson back tonight, and that should give the Hawks a nice boost. But Dejounte Murray is everything for this team right now, and the Bulls will be able to throw Alex Caruso on him. Caruso is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, so he can cut off the head of the snake. That would then mean that Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter and Johnson would need to step up in big ways. But I’m not counting on all three, or even two of the three, doing so. And the Hawks are a miserable defensive team, so Coby White and DeMar DeRozan should go off here.
The Bulls are also 2-0 both straight-up and against the spread versus the Hawks this season. On top of that, Atlanta is just 14-22 on the road this season.
Bet: Bulls ML (-126 – 2 units)
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans – 8:00 pm ET
I haven’t had a great read on the Suns this season, so I completely understand anybody that shrugs this off. But Phoenix has had two days to sit on an embarrassing 25-point loss to an Oklahoma City Thunder team that was missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That’s a lot of time to reflect on things and prepare for a single opponent. The last time the Suns had two days of rest after an embarrassing loss was after a 140-129 beating at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks on March 17th. Phoenix then went out and earned a straightforward 13-point win-and-cover over the Philadelphia 76ers on March 20th.
The Suns are also facing a Pelicans team that will be without Brandon Ingram tonight. That’s a key offensive piece for New Orleans. Of course, Phoenix will still have to figure out a way to slow down Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum. But one thing that helps the Suns is that the Pelicans don’t shoot a lot of 3s. So, New Orleans might let Phoenix and its miserable 3-point defense off the hook.
There’s also the fact that Pelicans head coach Willie Green used to work for the Suns. Phoenix should be very familiar with what New Orleans wants to do. Also, the Suns can clinch a tiebreaker over the Pelicans with a win tonight, which would be huge if the two end up with the same record as they look to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Bet: Suns ML (+105 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – April 1
Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic – 7:00 pm ET
Scoot Henderson’s -58 plus/minus in Portland’s 142-82 loss to the Miami Heat was the worst in NBA history. But that meaningless number overshadowed the fact that Henderson has now scored at least 20 points in three of his last five games. The rookie has had a tumultuous first season in the NBA, but he has looked a lot better over the last two weeks. And Portland’s lengthy injury report means that Henderson will continue to be the primary on-ball option for the Blazers. With that in mind, I’m playing Henderson to have at least 19 points against the Magic tonight. I know Orlando is one of the best defensive teams in the league, and a blowout in this game is certainly possible. But Chauncey Billups isn’t going to pull Henderson, and the rookie will be in attack mode all game.
Perhaps Henderson will be inefficient as a scorer in this game. But as long as he gets the job done, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks. NBA player props don’t discriminate.
Bet: Henderson Over 18.5 Points (-110 – 1.5 units)
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