Media by Associated Press – Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young looks to pass between Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks and guard Tyus Jones during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
The NBA schedule is full of games, with teams jostling for playoff positions. What teams are trying to do is get in the best position to succeed while also not burning themselves out. How teams handle the final few weeks of the season will dictate how the spring goes for them. Here’s a look at a few games worth betting Tuesday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks (-105)
The Hawks are stuck in a battle for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. While Atlanta still has star guard Trae Young in the lineup, the Hawks have had issues with being consistent. Atlanta has still been good at home, however, piling up a 21-16 record a State Farm Arena.
The Hawks are 5-5 against the spread over their past ten games. In the two previous meetings between the teams, Cleveland and Atlanta each won on their respective home floors. The Hawks won the last meeting 136-119 in Atlanta. Cleveland enters the game having won its last four games on the road.
The Cavaliers are currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and are a game and a half behind Philadelphia for third. Cleveland has won four straight games but will see that magic run out on the road vs. the Hawks.
New Orleans Pelicans (+9.5) at Golden State Warriors
The Warriors will be motivated to get back in the win column after losing a disastrous game Sunday to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State committed several turnovers late in the game that led to a 99-96 loss. The Warriors are now tied with Minnesota for sixth place in the Western Conference but no longer have the tiebreaker.
The Pelicans are a half-game behind Golden State for seventh place. New Orleans has won two of three meetings with Golden State, but those victories came back in November when Zion Williamson was still in the lineup. The Pelicans have been hot lately, covering their last five games against the spread.
New Orleans has covered seven of its past ten games against the spread. The Warriors look disjointed and have been bogged down by mistakes. Golden State is 4-6 against the spread over the past ten games. New Orleans will keep this close in what will be like a playoff game.
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors (-155)
The Raptors are starting a five-game road trip following its meeting with the Heat Tuesday night. That will give Toronto extra motivation to try and break its tie with Atlanta for an eighth place by picking up a win against the Heat. Miami, though, is also battling for playoff positioning.
The Heat are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and are tied with Brooklyn for sixth. Miami is 6-4 over its past ten games and is scoring 115.8 points per game. The Heat are shooting 50 percent from the field during that stretch.
Toronto is 5-1-1 against the spread over its past seven games. This game should be an ugly rock fight between two playoff hopefuls. The Raptors will win, but it won’t be pretty. Just take their moneyline and don’t worry about sweating out the 3.5 points.
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