The end of the regular season is always tough for betting on the NBA, as teams are sitting players to rest for the playoffs or to tank for a better draft pick.
Therefore, we have to look at the motivation behind each squad before betting on or against them. I have two teams that fit the bill on Friday night:
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- Atlanta Hawks -10.5 (-110) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Chicago Bulls +8 (-115) vs. Dallas Mavericks
Atlanta Hawks -10.5 (-110) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The motivation factor is in the Atlanta Hawks’ favor in a big way tonight.
Atlanta needs a win to hold on to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, which would give it two shots to win one game in the play-in tournament to make the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers are sitting James Harden, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in this game since they cannot move up or down in the standings.
Philly lost to Miami by 28 last night, and the Hawks have blown out the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards this week. Another blowout is coming for Atlanta tonight.
Chicago Bulls +8 (-115) vs. Dallas Mavericks
Originally, this looked like the ultimate motivation spot for Dallas, who needs to win out to make the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.
Instead, it looks like the Dallas Mavericks are trying to keep their top-10 protected pick, as they are sitting Kyrie Irving, Christian Wood and others tonight.
The Chicago Bulls are sitting Patrick Beverley, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, but I don’t think they should be this big of underdogs even with Luka Doncic (probable) on track to play tonight.
If the Mavs truly want to lose this game, they will find a way, even if it means taking Doncic out of action. Getting the eight points is just a cherry on top.
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