Free NBA Picks, Best Bets, and Parlays for the Play-In Games 4/12/22

There are two Play-In games scheduled for tonight. Both pit the 7th and 8th seeds going against each other, with the winners moving on to the first round of the NBA playoffs. The losers will have more chance to get into the first round as they will play the winner of the 9-10 games which will be played tomorrow night. Let’s look at the two games.

*PAPA DUDES BEST BET* #8 Cleveland 44-38 at #7 Brooklyn 44-38 (-8.5): This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions. Brooklyn finished the season on a 12-5 run, and have played well, since superstar Kevin Durant returned to the lineup after a knee injury. The Nets are an offensive machine and can score a lot of points. They will be dangerous for anyone to beat, if they survive and make it through the Play-In round. However, the problem with Brooklyn is on the defensive side. They give up a ton of points as well, and that could become a liability they won’t be able to overcome. Meanwhile, Cleveland is trending downward and were 9-16 for the last 25 games in the regular season. It is hard to back a team on the road, against a talented Brooklyn squad that will be motivated and focused. Look for the Nets to move on to the next round against Boston. PAPA DUDES BEST BET: Brooklyn -8.5

*PAPA DUDES UPSET SPECIAL: #8 LA Clippers 42-40 at #7 Minnesota 46-36: Don’t be surprised by the two team’s records. Since Paul George returned to the lineup, the Clippers went 6-1 to finish the regular season. Included in those 6 wins were wins at Milwaukee and at home against Phoenix and Utah. So, the Clippers are playing well and will be full of confidence for this game. Meanwhile the T-Wolves are up and down. They finished the season on a 4-6 streak and they are tough for bettors to figure out. On some nights, they put up a ton of points and look extremely good and on other nights, they look bad. I just can’t back an inconsistent team like that. Give me the Clippers to advance to a first round series against Memphis. PAPA DUDES UPSET PICK: Clippers +3