There are 3 games to take a look at today and they should all be close with a couple of sides having to deal with some injury issues.
Here are some NBA Picks for April 18th, 2019
Make sure you check back daily for Free NBA Picks and Expert NBA Picks for all NBA Games Today.
Player Props, Against the Spread and a Game Total Prediction analysis.
Philadelphia 76ers 1 @ Brooklyn Nets 1
Prediction – Game Total Over 228.5
Brooklyn + 3.5
The Series heads to Brooklyn all tied up after a dominating high scoring contest in Philly by the Sixers.
The Game went that far over the number that it can’t be ignored and looks likely again if Philly gets to play on their terms. Ben Simmons dictated the pace of game 2 and because of the lack of respect for his jump shot, he was able to penetrate, drive to the hoop and dish off at a frantic pace.
Expect much of the same but the Nets to put up a fight.
Brooklyn can win this game and expect a better performance from some of their better players in their first home final for an extended period.
The Nets cover the spread at 79% after 2-3 days off.
Philly only covers the spread 37% after a win and 37% as the away favourite.
Expect a better effort from the Nets and a probable high scoring contest.
Player Props
Jimmy Butler + 19.5 Points
Butler dropped 36 Points in Game One but the Nets won the game. He only scored 7 in game 2 and the Sixers won comfortably.
Expect the Nets to try and let Butler control a lot of the offense as he is less damaging as some of the others on the Sixers roster. Should rack up a lazy 20 points in this one.
Joel Embiid – 26.5 Points
Embiid is definitely injured and is only averaging 22.6 minutes per game in this series so far. If he plays limited minutes he will struggle to cover the points in this one.
Joe Harris + 12.5 Points
The Nets will look to their best shooter for some offense in game 2 and he is only averaging 8.5 in the series so far. Always gets the minutes but has not been used much on the offensive end as yet. He did average 14.0 against the Sixers in the regular season.
Spencer Dinwiddie + 4.5 Assists
Spencer has been scoring points and dropped 19 in game 2. He can penetrate and dish and the Nets will be expected to hit more open looks in game 3. He should go close to the number for assists and averaged 5.5 against the Sixers this season.
Denver Nuggets 1 @ San Antonio Spurs 1
Prediction Game Total Under 209.5
San Antonio (Win)
Denver only covers the spread at 41.5% as an away team and was the best side at home all season. The Spurs are hard to beat on their home court and should win this game.
The trends will also suggest that this game will go under the game total. The Total goes under 61% of the time when the Spurs are the Home Favz. The Nuggets go under the total at 63% when they are away underdogs.
Given that this is an important final and defense wins big games. Both sides should fight it out in a low scoring affair.
Player Props
Gary Harris – 15.5 Points
Harris only averages 12.9 for the season and is averaging 21.5 in this series. The Spurs will target him in game 3 and he won’t have the luxury of getting up to many open looks.
Will Barton + 10.5 Points
When the Nuggets need points Barton often comes to the party.
He went 1/10 from the field in Game Two and that probably won’t happen again. Should get chances to score and play around 25 minutes to score in double digits.
Patty Mills + 6.5 Points
Mills has not done a lot so far and is due for a double-digit game on the offensive end. He has the Green Light to shoot the three when open and should go close to double digits at home.
Rudy Gay + 10.5 Points
Rudy has a season average of 13.7 and will be looked to as a scorer off the bench in this game. He had a bad shooting night in game 2 and will be looking to make up for poor performance.
Golden State Warriors 1 @ Los Angeles Clippers 1
Prediction Game Total Under 237.5
Golden State + 8.5
The Warriors have lost their big center but many would argue that it doesn’t matter too much to their overall chances of taking out the title.
Andrew Bogut is one of the best defenders in the league and the Warriors are still stacked on the offensive end.
When the Clippers are the home underdog they only cover the spread at 27.3%. Given they are playing the best team in the NBA this trend is expected to continue.
For the Game Total, the Warriors go under the total at 68% following a loss.
Expect a lot more defense and more effort in this game which may result in a lower scoring contest.
The Game Total is very high for a final given that the Warriors averaged 215 combined in last seasons finals.
Player Props
Kevin Durant + 26.5 Points
Kevin Durant + 6.5 Rebounds
Kevin Durant has not played a good as yet and without Cousins will get more scoring and rebounding opportunities. He always steps up when it matters and should cover both numbers.
Draymond Green + 7.5 Assists
Green is the best passer on the side and is always looking to get his teammates involved. He should get close to 10 assists in this game as the big three will be looking to score plenty.
Klay Thompson + 20.5 Points
Only averaging 14.5 so far in the series and a breakout game is due. It is rare he plays 3 bad games in a row and should score an easy 20 points.
Danilo Gallinari – 20.5 Points
Gallinari had a big game 2 in a massive comeback win but only averaged 13.3 against the Warriors this season. He won’t have as much space this time and the Warriors can bring it on the defensive end when they have to.
They are some NBA Playoff Picks for April 18th, 2019.
Results Today
Game Total – 2/3
Against the Spread – 1/2
Player Props – 5/12
Head to Head – 1/1