NBA Best Bets Today: Expert NBA Betting Picks for 04/01/2025

The New York Knicks are absolutely rolling right now while the Philadelphia 76ers have fully embraced the tank. This matchup couldn't be more lopsided if you tried to script it. The Sixers have dropped eight straight games by a staggering average of nearly 15 points per contest. They've shut down their core players weeks ago and appear laser-focused on improving their draft position after finally falling below Brooklyn in the standings.

New York, meanwhile, has been trending in the exact opposite direction, winning four of their last five games including a dominant performance against Portland on Sunday. They're playing with purpose as they look to lock up the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. There's also encouraging news on the injury front with star Jalen Brunson getting cleared for basketball activities - though his absence may have been a blessing in disguise, giving him crucial rest before the postseason push.

The Knicks have dominated this season series, going 3-0 against Philadelphia. Even with some key injuries, they've maintained their winning ways thanks to stellar contributions from Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, who both dropped 28 points in their last victory. Their defense has been particularly impressive, limiting Portland to just 93 points in their most recent win.

What's particularly telling is how these teams have performed against the spread lately. The Knicks have covered in four straight games as home favorites, while the 76ers have failed to cover in seven consecutive games following a loss. Philly simply doesn't have the talent or motivation to keep games competitive at this stage of the season.

With the Sixers actively avoiding wins and the Knicks fighting for playoff positioning, this game has all the makings of a blowout. The large spread might give some bettors pause, but given Philadelphia's recent performance and their clear organizational priorities, New York should handle this number with relative ease. Expect the Knicks to establish control early and never look back.

While any double-digit spread requires careful consideration, the circumstances surrounding these teams make it a justified number. The Knicks' superior talent, motivation, and recent form all point toward a commanding victory at Madison Square Garden. Back New York to cover the spread.

The Chicago Bulls find themselves in a favorable position tonight as they host the Toronto Raptors, despite coming off a rough outing against the Thunder. While the Bulls just suffered a blowout loss last night, they've actually been playing solid basketball overall, winning nine of their last 13 games. This consistency has them positioned as clear favorites against a Raptors team that will be significantly undermanned.

Toronto has made some surprising noise lately with four consecutive victories, including an impressive road win against Philadelphia. However, tonight's game presents a completely different challenge as they'll be without their leading scorer RJ Barrett (rest) and Ochai Agbaji (rest). This drastically reduces their offensive firepower, which was already limited given their season-long struggles.

The Bulls have been particularly effective at home against weaker Eastern Conference opponents, winning their last six night games against Eastern Conference teams with losing records. They've also covered the spread in all six of those contests, demonstrating their ability to handle business against lesser competition. Even with the back-to-back situation, Chicago should have enough depth and talent to secure this victory.

Looking at the betting market, multiple expert sources have identified this as a strong moneyline opportunity. The Bulls have a significant edge in overall talent and bench production, especially with Toronto's key absences. Chicago also benefits from playing at the United Center, where they'll look to bounce back from their embarrassing performance against Oklahoma City.

While the Raptors have shown some fight recently, their current lineup simply doesn't have the scoring punch to keep pace with the Bulls. Chicago's experience and superior roster construction should prove decisive, particularly in the second half when fatigue becomes a factor. Toronto's depleted roster will likely struggle to generate consistent offense against a Bulls team that will be motivated to erase the memory of last night's defeat.

The combination of Toronto's significant absences, Chicago's strong recent form against similar competition, and the Bulls' need to respond after a poor showing makes the moneyline bet particularly attractive. While the back-to-back situation introduces some risk, the talent disparity should be too much for the shorthanded Raptors to overcome.

The Golden State Warriors are riding a serious wave of momentum as they head into Memphis to face a Grizzlies squad that appears to be running out of steam. Golden State has won 11 of their last 14 games, displaying the championship pedigree that's made them a force in the Western Conference for years. Led by Stephen Curry's consistent excellence and Jimmy Butler's all-around contributions, they've climbed to the sixth seed and are looking to avoid the play-in tournament at all costs.

Memphis, by contrast, has hit a concerning skid, dropping seven of their last nine contests. After a promising start to the season, the Grizzlies have fallen to the fifth seed and show signs of a team that's losing focus as the regular season winds down. What's particularly troubling is their home performance - they've lost their last six home games against teams with winning records, a trend that doesn't bode well against a surging Warriors team.

The scheduling situation heavily favors Golden State in this matchup. The Warriors come in with a crucial rest advantage, while Memphis will be playing the second night of a back-to-back after facing the Lakers. This fatigue factor cannot be overstated, especially at this stage of the season when players are dealing with the cumulative effects of a long campaign. Golden State is 6-0 when playing with a rest advantage against the Grizzlies, a perfect record they'll be looking to maintain.

From a betting perspective, the trends are screaming in Golden State's direction. The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in all nine of their recent home games against teams with winning records. Meanwhile, the Warriors have covered in all four of their recent games as road favorites when their opponents are on a back-to-back. These patterns reflect the fundamental reality that Memphis struggles against quality opposition, particularly when not at full strength.

While Memphis does have talented players in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, they haven't been able to translate that individual ability into consistent team success lately. The Warriors, meanwhile, are playing their best basketball of the season at precisely the right time. Their experience in meaningful late-season games gives them a significant edge over a Grizzlies team that appears to be fading when the games matter most.

Given the combination of Golden State's excellent recent form, their significant rest advantage, and Memphis' troubling home performance against quality opponents, the Warriors covering the 4.5-point spread looks like one of the strongest plays on Tuesday's slate. Expect Golden State to control the pace and pull away in the second half against a fatigued Grizzlies squad.

The Denver Nuggets welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to Ball Arena tonight in what promises to be a crucial Northwest Division showdown with playoff positioning on the line. While both teams have shown impressive stretches this season, the Nuggets hold a distinct advantage playing at home where they've established themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in the NBA.

Denver is currently positioned as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, though they've been inconsistent lately, splitting their last 12 games. However, they're coming off convincing wins against the Bucks and Jazz, suggesting they might be finding their rhythm at the perfect time. Nikola Jokic continues his MVP-caliber season, averaging 29.3 points and 12.8 rebounds, while forming a lethal duo with Jamal Murray who's contributing over 21 points per game.

The Timberwolves have been on a tear recently, winning 11 of their last 14 games behind the explosive play of Anthony Edwards, who's averaging 27.2 points. They're currently sitting in the 7th seed but are within striking distance of moving up in the standings. Their recent surge makes them dangerous, but their road record against top Western Conference teams remains a concern.

Denver holds several key advantages in this matchup. The Nuggets have won five straight home games when playing with a rest advantage, which they have tonight. The altitude at Ball Arena notoriously gives Denver an edge against visiting teams, especially those playing on short rest. Additionally, Minnesota has historically struggled at Denver, losing 15 of their last 16 games as road underdogs against opponents on the first leg of a back-to-back.

While the Timberwolves did defeat Denver a couple of weeks ago, replicating that success in the Mile High City presents a much greater challenge. The combination of Denver's home-court advantage, their superior overall record, and the rest advantage they enjoy coming into this game all point toward the Nuggets securing this important divisional victory.

With Denver looking to solidify their playoff positioning and the trio of Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr. hitting their stride, the Nuggets moneyline offers good value despite potential injury concerns for Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray. In what should be a competitive and entertaining contest, Denver's experience and home-court edge should ultimately prove decisive.