We’re nearing the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Wednesday, April 9th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on April 9th
NBA Best Bets Today – April 9th
Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks – 7:30 pm ET
The Lakers had everybody on the injury report last night, but they all ended up playing and Los Angeles lost by 16 in Oklahoma City. We also saw LeBron James play 35 minutes, and Austin Reaves played 38. Now, the Lakers have to go to Dallas for the second leg of a back-to-back. And while JJ Redick’s team will have to deal with a little fatigue, we haven’t seen the Mavericks play since Saturday. That three full days of rest should serve Dallas well.
I know this is a game Luka Doncic will want to win. The narratives are going to be out of control heading into tonight, and that’s why everybody on the planet will be on Los Angeles — along with Doncic player props. But I can’t ignore the rest advantage here. Jason Kidd should also have a good game plan in place after having a few days to focus specifically on the Lakers.
It’s also hard not to like the fact that Dallas has Anthony Davis going against a team that is now very weak inside. He should be able to dominate this game offensively. He’ll also look to wreck the game defensively.
Of course, Dallas also has to deal with Reaves, Doncic and LeBron. That’s not easy. But the Mavericks do have some good size on the wing, so they should be better equipped to slow down Los Angeles’ stars than the Lakers will be when looking to stop Davis.
Bet: Mavericks +4 (-113 – 1.5 units) & Mavericks ML (+142 – 0.5 units)
Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings – 10:00 pm ET
I’m taking a shot on the Kings to cover tonight. The Nuggets are a very popular bet this evening, as they have gone from +1 to -4. It seems a lot of people are expecting an energized Denver team after the stunning dismissal of head coach Mike Malone. And while it’s entirely possible this team won’t experience a drop-off — and could even improve — with David Adelman on the sidelines, I now see Sacramento as a decent value play.
The Kings have quietly played some good basketball since Domantas Sabonis returned to action. Sacramento has won three consecutive games, with the most recent win being a 127-117 road victory over a solid Detroit team. Sabonis had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in that game, so he has gotten right back to dominating and filling up the stat sheet. Zach LaVine is also scorching hot for the Kings, as he is averaging 40.0 points per game over the last two contests.
The Kings are just superb offensively, ranking seventh in adjusted offensive rating (115.9) on the year. So, they should be able to torch a Nuggets team that is amongst the league’s worst defensively. That said, Denver will need to be flawless offensively in order to win by five or more here. That’s not impossible to rule out, but Jamal Murray is doubtful. That means Nikola Jokic will need consistent help from unlikely places.
Bet: Kings +4 (-112) & Kings ML (+170 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – April 9th
Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
Quentin Grimes is questionable for tonight’s meeting with the Wizards, but I’m taking the Over on his PRA total and hoping he plays. Since the start of April, Grimes is averaging 26.8 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, so he’s still lighting it up as Philadelphia’s top option. Well, Grimes gets the second-worst defense in the league in adjusted defensive rating (118.0) tonight, and it’s also an opponent that plays at the league’s fourth-fastest pace (101.7). So, this is going to be an up-and-down game in which Grimes should be able to show off that jumper, as well as his improved ability to attack the basket and set up his teammates. Let’s just hope he plays. If he doesn’t, this will be voided. So, it’s not a huge risk backing him as a questionable player.
Bet: Grimes Over 35.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
PARLAY: Magic ML vs. Celtics & Bulls Alt +10.5 vs. Heat (-135 – 1.5 units)
Bradley Beal Over 3.5 Assists (-102) vs. Thunder
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2024-25 NBA Record: 354-359-2 (-7.85 units)
