Last Updated on April 8, 2024 7:25 pm by Erwin Noguera
Week 24 of the 2023/24 NBA season has arrived, and the race for playoff berths and supremacy in both conferences has intensified. On the Eastern side, the Celtics have become the team to beat, assuming the top spot with a commanding 15.0-game lead over the second-place Bucks. Led by their star players and efficient team play, Boston has been a dominant force and looks poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Western Conference remains highly competitive and fiercely contested as several teams battle for the coveted top spot. The Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Thunder are in the mix, each fighting with tooth and nail for the first seed.
These teams showcase impressive talent, strategic play, and a desire to reach the top. Since every game is crucial in determining playoff positioning, we expect intense matchups between these contenders as they give their all to secure a favorable postseason position. Also, all 3 secured their qualification for the postseason.
NBA Weekly Preview 24: Bucks vs. Celtics
When and Where?
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 pm ET at the Fiserv Forum
Moneyline odds:
Bucks 1.89
Celtics 1.93
Where can I watch it?
Although the Milwaukee Bucks have already guaranteed their place in the Playoffs, they are far from being the powerful team they have been throughout the season, losing many games recently. The most worrisome aspect is that some of those losses were against already eliminated opponents.
The Bucks are in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 47-31 record, but the team is coming from a 3-7 streak in the last ten games, a terrible figure for a team that aspires to win it all this season. In addition, it is also worth mentioning that they are coming into this week with four consecutive losses, the most recent being against the Knicks by 109-122.
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are not slowing down, and are coming off a beautiful win, even though they have already clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They have been by far the best team in the NBA this season, as they have an impressive 62-16 record and are coming off five straight wins and an 8-2 record in their last ten games.
The Celtics aim to reach the postseason at their best, and will not back down to a franchise they may meet in the other round. Remember, they have won five straight games, most of their roster is playing well, both offensively and defensively, and most importantly, they are playing against a team that continues to generate doubts by dropping games to franchises at the bottom of the table.
When these two squads met last March 20, 2024, the Boston Celtics prevailed with a score of 122-119.
Our prediction is a win for the Boston Celtics.
Bucks vs. Celtics Betting Pick: Celtics
NBA Weekly Preview 24: Timberwolves vs. Wizards
When and Where?
Tuesday, April 9, 8:00 pm ET at the Target Center
Moneyline odds:
Timberwolves 1.05
Wizards 8.30
Where can I watch it?
The Timberwolves have played an exemplary season, as they have managed to stay at the top of the standings in the Western Conference so far. However, not everything is rosy for them, considering that it has been impossible to escape the onslaught of the Nuggets and Thunder in the fight for first place.
Right now, the Wolves have a 54-24 record, tied at the top with the Nuggets, and only 1.0 game ahead of the Thunder. Also, it is worth mentioning that the team is coming from beating the Lakers 127-117, with an outstanding contribution from Anthony Edwards (6 points and 8 assists) and Naz Reid (31 points and 11 rebounds).
On the other hand, the Wizards have nothing to play for at this point in the season, as they are eliminated after a terrible 15-64 record, one of the worst in the entire NBA. Washington must be getting ready to wipe the slate clean and solidify their team for next season.
And is that, playing both at home and on the road, Washington has had a disappointing record. While they showed some signs of improvement in previous weeks, they come into this game after three consecutive losses, the most recent being to the Raptors 122-130.
Our winner’s chip is on the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves vs. Wizards Betting Pick: Timberwolves
NBA Weekly Preview 24: Jazz vs. Nuggets
When and Where?
Tuesday, April 9, 9:00 pm ET at the Delta Center
Moneyline odds:
Jazz 6.36
Nuggets 1.09
Where can I watch it?
The Utah Jazz are one of the worst-performing teams in the 2023/24 NBA season. Not only are they in 12th place in the Western Conference and eliminated, but they come into this game after losing 12 consecutive games, a number that not even the San Antonio Spurs have.
Utah no longer has any chance to fight for a playoff spot or the Wild Card, so everything they do from now on will be an absolute preparation for what will be the next NBA season. As we mentioned, the Jazz keep losing games, and the most recent one was against the Warriors by 110-118.
On the other hand, we have the Denver Nuggets, one of the best teams of this 2023/24 NBA season that, without a doubt, have everything in their hands to go as far as possible in the playoffs. As said before, the Nuggets are tied at the top of the standings with the Timberwolves with a 54-24 record. In addition, they also have a 7-3 record in the last 10 games, so we are sure that they will fight until the end of the regular season for that first place in the conference.
The Nuggets are coming off a crushing victory against the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 142-110. However, before that, the team lost to the Clippers with a tight score of 100-102.
Our prediction is a win for the Nuggets.
Jazz vs. Nuggets Betting Pick: Nuggets
NBA Weekly Preview 24: Suns vs. Clippers
When and Where?
Tuesday, April 9, 10:00 pm ET at the Footprint Center
Moneyline odds:
Suns 1.63
Clippers 2.30
Where can I watch it?
The two teams that will face each other this Monday must keep winning because, just a few days before the Playoffs start, the Western Conference is still really even. With their most recent loss to the Pelicans, the Phoenix Suns are in danger of falling out of the direct qualifying spots in the Western Conference. Conversely, the Los Angeles Clippers are coming off their nail-biting win against the Cavaliers. As a result, the Angelinos have won four of their previous five games.
There is a strong expectation of parity in this game, but the Suns must win, and the game’s location could make the difference. Players like Durant and Booker will stand out because of the importance of the game, especially against the Clippers, who appear to be without Kawhi Leonard.
When the teams last met on Jan 8, 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers prevailed with a 138-111 victory. The Phoenix Suns have won three of the previous five times these two teams have met.
Likewise, the Clippers are in great form, as they have three consecutive victories and have a slight chance of climbing into the NBA Western Conference. That is why, for this game, our prediction is a win for LA.
Suns vs. Clippers Betting Pick: Clippers
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