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The NBA gifted fans and bettors a seven-game slate for the penultimate day of the regular season. Let's do something with it.
These are the best bets and player props on the board for Thursday.
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics (-10.5, 230.5)
There's been an uptick in scoring within the bubble, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Wizards' offense struggled in this spot.
The Wizards have faced a collection of fairly average defenses - the Pelicans, Nets, and Suns (twice) - during the restart, yet they've averaged only 106.1 points per game. In a matinee game and with nothing left to play for, Washington now faces a Celtics team that's No. 4 in the NBA in defensive rating.
Simply put, this number doesn't make much sense. Go under on the Wizards' point total.
Pick: Wizards team total under 109.5
Brooklyn Nets vs Portland Trail Blazers (-9, 236)
There's a lot to unpack here.
On one hand, the Nets have been one of the biggest surprises of the restart. They're 5-1 both straight up and against the spread over their last six.
On the other, does anyone really want to bet against a red-hot Damian Lillard? The star point guard has led the Trail Blazers to four covers in their last five outings.
Instead, let's just play the total between two of the bubble's hottest offenses.
Portland has scored at least 122 points in each of the last four, while Brooklyn's flourished under interim coach Jacque Vaughn. The Blazers are also on a perfect 5-0 run to the over as favorites, and the Nets are 7-3 to the over in their last 10 as underdogs.
Pick: Over 236
Player props
Buy - Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Can you set Lillard's point total high enough for this one? He's coming off a 61-point outburst and Portland is fighting for a playoff bid. Expect another brilliant performance against a Nets defense that allows the fourth-most points to opposing point guards.
Buy - Jaylen Brown, Celtics
The Celtics can wrap up their regular season with a bang when they face the Wizards. Boston's offense has averaged north of 128 points per game over the team's current four-game win streak.
Feel free to play the over on Brown's points or made 3-pointers in this matchup. Washington allows more points and triples from opposing shooting guards than any other bubble team.
Sell - Kyle Kuzma, Lakers
Fade Kuzma in just about every format for a matinee between the Lakers and Kings. Sacramento has been great when it comes to defending opposing power forwards this season, surrendering the fewest points, third-fewest rebounds, and fifth-fewest assists to that position.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.
