With the NBA Play-In Tournament heating up, two exciting matchups are on tap for Friday, April 18. These matchups present no shortage of betting options on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Here’s the full NBA schedule for Friday, April 18 (all times Eastern):
- Heat at Hawks, 7:00 p.m.
- Mavericks at Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m.
Hawks -1 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks host the Miami Heat in a crucial matchup for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Atlanta earned the higher seed, finishing the regular season 40-42, while the Heat finished at 37-45. Despite Miami’s strong performances in recent elimination games, the Hawks have been the more consistent team and should be favored to cover the -1 spread.
The Hawks have home-court advantage and are led by star guard Trae Young, who is coming off a strong 36-point performance. Miami, however, will lean heavily on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo to lead them in this win-or-go-home game. Adebayo and Herro were both critical in the Heat’s win over Chicago, but the Hawks’ defense, which ranks near the top of the league, should be a challenge for Miami.
In the four meetings between these teams this season, the home team has won each time by double digits. Atlanta’s solid defense and the advantage of playing at home make them the more likely team to cover the spread and advance.
Mavericks +6 (-108)
The Dallas Mavericks head to Memphis for a do-or-die game against the Grizzlies. Dallas enters the game after a dominant 120-106 win over the Sacramento Kings, with Anthony Davis contributing 27 points and 9 rebounds. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are dealing with uncertainty around star guard Ja Morant’s ankle injury, and his status is a game-time decision.
Even if Morant plays, Memphis has struggled down the stretch, losing 10 of its last 16 games. Meanwhile, Dallas has shown resilience, with Davis and Klay Thompson leading the way. Despite the Mavericks’ injury-riddled season, they’ve been competitive in recent weeks, and with Morant potentially limited, Dallas could keep this game close.
Memphis has dominated the season series, but the Mavericks are capable of pulling off the upset, especially with their defensive presence and Davis’s impact. Given the uncertainty around Morant, taking the Mavericks +6 is a solid value bet.
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 Points (-130)
Desmond Bane has been a consistent scorer for Memphis, and with Morant’s status uncertain, he could be called upon to shoulder even more of the offensive load. Bane is averaging 24.5 points per game over his last 10 contests and has historically performed well against the Mavericks. He scored 30 points in Memphis’ recent loss to the Golden State Warriors and has been a real offensive weapon for the Grizzlies.
Bane’s ability to score from beyond the arc and attack the rim makes him a reliable option for this bet. In games where he has been the primary scorer, he has consistently exceeded 21.5 points, and with Morant potentially sidelined or limited, Bane will likely have more opportunities to increase his scoring load. This is a solid bet to hit, given his current form and the pressure on Memphis to perform.
Anthony Davis Over 42.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Anthony Davis has been on a tear, averaging 30.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his last two games against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the stakes high and Dallas looking to make a push into the playoffs, Davis will need to continue his dominant performance. He has been playing with tremendous intensity, contributing on both ends of the floor, and is expected to see a significant amount of playing time in this win-or-go-home situation.
Davis’s all-around game—particularly in the paint—makes this a strong bet. The Grizzlies have struggled to contain him in previous matchups, and with Dallas relying heavily on his contributions, expect him to exceed the combined 42.5 points, rebounds, and assists line. Given the importance of the game, Davis will be poised to take over and lead the Mavericks in their postseason battle.
