Can the Knicks or Magic inch closer to the East's 2-seed?
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We're in the final week of the NBA regular season. After a one-day hiatus for college basketball's national title game, the NBA has a loaded Tuesday slate featuring 28 teams.
There are seeding implications to figure out this week, so most games are still meaningful. Here are our four best bets.
Knicks @ Bulls (+4.5, O/U 212.5)
It may be hard to understand how the Knicks are in contention for the 2-seed in the East. But New York's connectivity and grit - led by superstar Jalen Brunson - has led the team to this point.
The Knicks were in a mini-skid but won two of their last three. Although they did lose to the Bulls in Chicago last week, that creates a revenge spot for a team that rarely loses to inferior opponents.
OG Anunoby returned last week. He appeared healthy and played major minutes, a massive boost for New York.
The Bulls are locked into the play-in tournament, while the Knicks are just one game back of the No. 2 spot in the East. New York has more at stake, is the better team, and wants to make up for its Friday night loss.
Pick: Knicks -4.5
Magic @ Rockets (+3, O/U 215.5)
Motivation is a key component to handicapping the final week of the season. The Magic have a lot to play for, while the Rockets were eliminated from play-in contention with their latest loss to the Mavericks over the weekend.
Orlando is tied with New York in third place in the East and one game back of the Bucks for the 2-seed. Beyond the stakes, the Magic are playing good basketball, winning four of their last five. Their defense - the NBA's third-best - should stymie Houston's young group with nothing left to play for.
The Rockets turn the ball over at a high rate, and the Magic have the league's second-best opponent turnover rate. Turnovers may be the difference in a Magic win.
Pick: Magic -3
Trail Blazers team total: Under 99.5 points
The Trail Blazers have the NBA's second-worst offense. Although they usually break 100 points, Portland has averaged 96 points in its last four matchups against top-10 defenses.
The Pelicans - Portland's Tuesday night opponent - have the league's fifth-best defense. New Orleans' perimeter defenders swarm opposing guards and make it difficult for them to find clean looks. Zion Williamson has turned into an excellent versatile defender after showing lackluster effort earlier this season.
The Pelicans should hold Portland's lifeless offense under 100 points as New Orleans claws to avoid the play-in.
Odds: -120
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.