The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament will wrap up on Friday with two teams securing their spots in the NBA playoffs and two teams seeing their seasons come to an end. The first game of the night will feature the Heat taking on the Hawks at 7 p.m. ET, with Atlanta being favored by 1 point at home according to the NBA odds at Caesars Sportsbook. Following that, the Mavericks will face off against the Grizzlies at 9:30 p.m. ET, with Memphis favored by 5.5 points on their home court. Recent head-to-head matchups could play a key role in making NBA best bets, as the Heat have dominated the Hawks in their last two meetings, while the Grizzlies have a three-game winning streak against the Mavs.
As we approach the eve of the NBA playoffs, it’s a prime time to capitalize on NBA picks before the postseason action kicks off. SportsLine’s advanced model has run simulations for every Friday NBA game 10,000 times, providing precise NBA score predictions. With a track record of generating over $10,000 in profit for $100 bettors on its top-rated NBA picks over the last six seasons, the model heads into the 2025 NBA playoffs on a hot streak of 156-115 on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to the previous season, yielding nearly $4,000 in returns.
Heat (+1) to cover vs. Hawks (-110 at Bet365)
Predicted score: Heat 112, Hawks 107
Following a rocky start after the Jimmy Butler trade, the Miami Heat found their stride towards the end of the season, going 9-3 in their last 12 games with the starters on the court. Miami has also been impressive on the road, winning five of their last six away games. In contrast, the Hawks are coming off a disappointing 25-point loss in the play-in tournament, and playing at home might not provide them with the expected advantage. Trae Young, Atlanta’s star player, has struggled at home this season, averaging fewer points, assists, and shooting below 40% from the field at State Farm Arena.
SportsLine’s model predicts Miami to not only win outright as underdogs but also cover the spread in almost 60% of simulations. With odds of -110 for Miami (+1) at various betting sites, including Bet365, the Heat are a solid pick to cover the spread.
SportsLine also offers expert insights on player props, with analysts like Mike Barner boasting a record of 138-90 (+3232) on his last 228 player prop picks. For more NBA player prop picks for Friday, including a focus on one of Memphis’ key players, visit SportsLine now.
Mavericks (+6) to cover vs. Grizzlies (-110 at FanDuel)
Predicted score: Grizzlies 116, Mavericks 112
The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a strong road win against the Kings, making it a 7-3 record with Anthony Davis in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ star player, Ja Morant, suffered an ankle injury in their recent game and is listed as questionable for the pivotal matchup. Morant’s potential limitations could hinder Memphis’ offense, especially considering the team’s defensive struggles. The Grizzlies have been one of the worst teams against the spread in recent months, covering in just 24.1% of games since the All-Star break.
With the model predicting Dallas to stay competitive and cover the spread over 50% of the time, the Mavericks are a solid choice with -110 odds for Dallas (+6) at FanDuel. Additionally, expert betting advice from Bruce Marshall, who boasts a 91-66-1 (+1830) record on his last 158 NBA picks, is available on SportsLine for further insights.
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Explore the model’s NBA picks for Friday and get predictions for every NBA playoff game from the model, which has a 156-115 record on top-rated NBA picks.
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