The Timberwolves lead the Suns 1-0 in their first round series, following a 25-point blowout in game 1.

Phoenix will need to address their rim protection heading into game 2, after allowing the T-wolves 13 second chance scoring opportunities last time out.

The Suns have the experienced heads in KD, Booker and Beal, all of which will be able to make the appropriate adjustments to compete in game 2.

I’m backing Phoenix to rally and equal the series heading into game 3.

The Mavs enter game 2 as the bookies favourite, despite losing out by 12-points against a Kawhi-less Clippers outfit.

The Clippers have now won their last three matchups against the Mavs, covering the line on each occasion.

In fact, the Clippers have covered the spread in seven of the last nine games against the Mavs.

I’m backing the Clippers to cover as home underdogs.

New York look to go 2-0 up in this series when they host the 76ers in game 2.

The Knicks we’re 7-point victors in game 1, with 20+ point contributions from Brunson (22), Hart (22), and McBride (21) off the bench.

Alternatively, the Sixers were heavily reliant on two stars, with Ebbed dropping 29 points despite an injury scare, while Maxey chipped in with 33.

New York had no answers for Embiid when he was on the court, if the big man can play through the pain, I have the 76ers covering the +5 line on offer.

Defending Champs Denver endêver to claim their 10th straight victory over the Lakers and take a 2-0 lead into game 3 of this series.

The Nuggets have covered the line in their last 6 straight games against LA.

The Lakers shot poorly from deep in game 1 (27.6%), an area they’ll hope to improve on here.

Game 1 was much closer than the 114-103 scoreline suggests, if the Lakers role players find their grove I give LeBron and co a huge chance of breaking their duck.

Lakers to cover.

Philly head to MSG to take on the Knicks in the opening game of the first round of play-offs.

New York finished the regal season with five straight wins to knick the 2nd seed in the West away from Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, the 76ers are looking to secure their 10th win on the trot and their first win at MSG this season (2L).

The best players step up when we hit the post season, with extended minutes, I’m expecting the likes of Brunson, Embiid and Maxey to all fill up the stat sheet.

I’m going to steer clear of the H2H market, instead backing those three to find the bucket at a regular clip.

All eyes will be on the first round matchup between reigning champs Denver and the Lakers.

The Nuggets swept LA in the 2023 Western Conference Final, though every game went down to the wire.

Denver also swept the Lakers across their three games during the regular season, with Jokic averaging 29-12-9 in those fixtures.

I’m backing the Nuggs to secure game 1, combined with 50+ PRA from the Joker!

Miami play host to Chicago in the Eastern Conference 8th Seed Game, with the winner earning the right to face Boston in the opening round of NBA Play-offs.

This pair meet four times during the regular season, with the series split at two wins a piece, Bulls winning one of two games at Casey Center.

Unfortunately from the home side, they look to be without leader and play-off specialist Jimmy Buttler, who went down with a knee injury during the Heats defeat to the Sixers.

The Bulls were very convincing in their victory over the Hawks last time out, and I am backing them to keep this game within a bucket.

Disaster for the Pels, as they prepare to take on the Kings without the unstoppable force that is Zion Williamson.

Well almost unstoppable. Zion suffered a hamstring injury, during his side’s close defeat to the Lakers, an injury which undoubtably swings the advantage in the Kings favour.

Meanwhile, Sacramento made easy work of 2022 Champions, Golden State, with all of the Kings starters finishing with 15+ points.

NOLA don’t have the firepower to cover the absence of Zion, as such I’m taking the Kings outright here.

The 76ers and the Heat take the floor in Philly, with the winner set earning the right to play the Knicks in the opening round of the play-offs.

This pair split their regular season series ate 2-2, though both of Miami’s victories came in the absence of Joel Embiid.

The Sixers with and without Joel Embiid is like chalk and cheese. Philly were the 3rd best side in the league before the reigning MVP suffered a knee injury, and almost snuck buck into the top six with 8-straight wins following the big man’s return.

Embiid has averaged 36 points at Wells Fargo this season and should put up 30+ in this high stakes contest.

I’m backing the home side to get over the line, combined with a stat stuffing performance from Joel.

Two sides who should be nowhere near the 2023/24 play-offs are set to meet in Chicago, as the Bulls play host to the Hawks.

Atlanta capped off a disappointing season with a six games losing streak, finishing 10th in the East with a 36-46 record, 15-26 on the road.

Meanwhile, Chicago went 5-5 across their last 10 games, finishing the year with a losing record both home (20-21) and away (19-22).

I’m taking the Bulls to get up at home here, combined with 25+ points from DeRozan, who has averaged 30 points across his last 10 starts.

The Pelicans play host to the Lakers in the first 2023/24 NBA Play-in fixture.

These two sides met on four occasions in the regular season, with the Lakers winning that series 3-1, including a win in New Orleans on the 15th April.

NOLA finished the season with a 49-33 record, though they were only 21-19 at home.

Meanwhile, LA finished with a 47-35 record, 19-21 on the road.

We can crunch the numbers all we want, but at the end of the day the Lakers have something the Pels never will, LeBron James.

King LeBron has more finals experience than the entire New Orleans franchise dating back to day dot.

I have the Lakers standing up under pressure and securing a Play-offs spot against the reigning champs.

Age & Experience vs Youth & Enthusiasm

The decaying Dubs head up the road to Sacramento to take on the Kings in a do-or-die play-in match-up.

The winner of this fixture will take on the loser of Pels vs Lakers for the right to play top seed OKC in the opening round of the Play-offs.

This pair met four times in the regular season, winning two games a piece, with both fixtures in Sacramento decided by under 1.5 points!

I’m expecting a similar arm wrestle to occur here, with the game decided by the last shot.

The Warriors have been in play-off mode for about 5 weeks now, scrapping their way up to 10th spot in the West.

I think old might make way for new here, with the Kings coving the generous +3 handicap at home.

It’s the last day of the regular season, which means some side have everything to play for, while other have already checked out.

Cleveland def. Charlotte
Cleveland are jostling for a home court advantage in the opening round of playoff and should stroll past the easy beat Hornets at home.

Philadelphia def. Brooklyn
Philly eyes off a spot inside the top six in the East, with a win over the already eliminated Nets looking more than likely.

Golden State def. Utah
Utah has lost 13 games on the trot (at publish) and will likely step aside for the Dubs who a chasing a 2nd chance spot in the Western conference play-ins.

Sacramenton def. Portland
Similar can be said for the King, who will look to finish the regular season on a positive note against league whipping boys, Portland.

New York def. Brooklyn
The Nets have nothing to play for when they head to MSG to take on a Knicks outfit who have a slim chance to secure 2nd seed in the East. The Knicks are 3-0 against the Nets this season and should complete the sweep with ease.

Lakers def. Memphis
The Lakers (9th) can finish as high as 7th and as low as 10th, with home court advantage on the line for the pay-in tournament. LA are 2-1 against Memphis this season and have already won on the road against the Grizz.

Denver def. San Antonio
Top of the West plays bottom, as the Nuggets look to tie up the 1st seed on the road to back-to-back titles. Can’t see Denver losing.

Dallas def. Detroit
Dallas still have a swinger chance at securing the 4th seed in the West should they win their remaining two fixtures. The first of which is against the leagues worst side, Detroit. Easy win.

The Warriors look to clean sweep the Trail Blazers 4-0 when the pair meet in Portland on Friday arvo (AEST).

The Dubs are 8-2 across their last ten games and are looking to improve on their position in the play-in bracket.

Alternatively, the Blazers are 2-8 across the same trip and have absolutely nothing left to play for.

GSW has won nine of the leat ten games between this pair, including a 20-point victory last time out.

I’m backing Curry and Co to dish up a similar beating this time around.

The Clippers will be looking to sweep the Suns 4-0 in the regular season, when the pair meet for the 2nd game of their back-to-back.

LA have been without Harden (foot) and Kawhi (knee) across the last stretch, and will likely not risk the pair here, with 4th seed in the West all but secured.

Whereas, the Suns will be desperate to climb out of the play-in zone with a win on the road.

A win isn’t a priority here for the Clips, I wouldn’t be surprised if they rest PG13 on top of Harden and Kawhi.

Taking the Suns to cover.