The NBA has only four more regular season days. After tonight there will only be the weekend left. And with five games on tonight’s slate, we can have the definition of play-in and playoff in the East. In the West, we have an essential matchup in the play-in contention. It is time for your NBA Thursday preview, brought to you by ThePicks.
Miami Heat (42-37) @ Philadelphia 76ers (52-27) – 7:30 PM
Opening our NBA Thursday preview we have the Miami Heat trying to make it directly to the playoffs. For that, they have to win at least two of their last three games and the Brooklyn Nets can’t win anymore (they have two games left). If Miami loses tonight versus the 76ers, they will have to go through the play-in tournament. Playing at home and with Joel Embiid fighting for the MVP trophy, Philly is the favourite by 3 points.
- Spread: MIA Heat +3/PHI 76ers -3
- Over/under: 220 points
- Pick: PHI 76ers -3.0 and over 220.0
Oklahoma City Thunder (38-42) @ Utah Jazz (36-43) – 9:00 PM
The second game on the list is the matchup between West’s #10 and #12 seeds. The Oklahoma City Thunder need to win in order to secure their play-in spot. But the Utah Jazz can’t lose a game anymore or they are out. The must-win is basically with both but having a better team the Thunder are the favourites tonight by 7 points.
- Spread: OKC Thunder -7/UTA Jazz +7
- Over/under: 239.5 points
- Pick: UTA Jazz +7.0 and under 239.5
Denver Nuggets (52-27) @ Phoenix Suns (44-35) – 10:00 PM
Closing our preview we have a matchup at the top of the table in the West. Both teams already clinched their playoff spots but the Nuggets want to secure the #1 seed tonight. Also, Nikola Jokić still has his hopes on the MVP prize. However, the home team is favoured by 10.5 points.
- Spread: DEN Nuggets +10.5/PHX Suns -10.5
- Over/under: 224 points
- Pick: DEN Nuggets +10.5 and over 224.0
Other Games
Check out the odds and predictions for the other two games of the night.
Cleveland Cavaliers (50-30) @ Orlando Magic (34-45) – 7:00 PM
- Spread: CLE Cavaliers +10/ORL Magic -10
- Over/under: 217.5 points
- Pick: CLE Cavaliers +10 and over 217.5
Portland Trail Blazers (33-46) @ San Antonio Spurs (20-59) – 9:00 PM
- Spread: POR Trail Blazers +4/SA Spurs -4
- Over/under: 227.5 points
- Pick: SA Spurs -4.0 and over 227.5
