Our Thursday Daily NBA tips and best bets focus on both play-in games. See below for our thoughts on the Bulls matchup with the Heat, and the Kings’ battle against the Mavs.
Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat
9:30am, United Center
Real sense of familiarity about this game after the Bulls and Heat met last year to decide the No. 8 seed in the East. Things have changed a lot since then though, particularly in Miami with Jimmy Butler now gone and the Bulls actually playing winning basketball since the All-Star break. It sounds as though Josh Giddey is set to start for Chicago, and on recent form, it’s much easier to trust the Bulls in this spot after wrapping up the regular season with three consecutive wins. Stats-wise, Billy Donovan’s side has been a much better shooting team from all areas of the floor, not to mention the fact the Bulls won 119-111 when these two sides met just over a week ago.
Tip: Bulls to Win @ $1.85
Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks
12:00pm, Golden 1 Center
The bookies are firmly in the corner of the Kings here at home, and I think I am too with the likes of Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson still battling niggling injuries. Sacramento blew Dallas off the court when these two sides met on March 4 with a 34-point third quarter and a big shooting night from Zach LaVine. Down low, I think the Kings have a serious advantage on the glass, while they’ve also been a sneaky good shooting team this year, ranking ninth in field goals made. It’s wild to think last year’s Finals runner-ups might be exiting this early, but given what’s taken place in Dallas this season, I think the Kings will put this tortured fan base out of its misery.
Tip: Kings 1-10 @ $2.95