NBA Best bets today: Top Sports Betting Picks, Predictions April 2

There are many ways to get over Hump Day. My favorite is to win some money on today’s NBA game, and there are nine opportunities at Pro Hoops Slate today.

Several top teams are on the schedule. Let’s focus on them and leave the idea to someone else.

The odds are done via Fanduel, but you should always shop before placing a bet to make sure you get the best odds you can.

New York Knicks (+420) against Cleveland Cavaliers (-11), O/U 231.5

New York Knicks has won five of its last six, including a victory of 105-91 versus 76ers last night. But they have had some problems on the road recently. Before their latest road victory over Bucks, they had dropped three in a row on the road.

With a four-game leadership at Celtics and seven games to play, Cavs is not really in a place where they can start resting people. They will have a resting advantage, which has not played since Sunday and a home victory over Clippers, 127-122.

Cleveland has been practically motionless at home this season (32-5). Cavs has won four of its last five but went 5-5 in its previous ten.

Best bet: Knicks +11

I don’t expect Knicks will win this game directly, but I don’t see Cavs dominating this game and wins with 10+ points either. Not having Jalen Brunson hurts a solid Cleveland team, but Cavs has not been good against good teams too late.

Even without Brunson, Knicks is a good team.

Utah Jazz (+1040) against Houston Rockets (-17.5), O/U 226.5

• Over 226.5 at -110
• Rockets -17.5 at -108
• Same gameparlay odds: +235

Houston forms to be the No. 2 seed in the Western conference. Utah already has 60 losses and has lost its last six, including a 121-110 home loss to the rockets. After 15 turnover and poor shooting from the three -point interval, the rockets will be eager to get back on track.

But can they cover a spread of 17.5 points? It is a big question, although jazz is a mess. Houston was a 13.5-point road favorite in the latest victory over jazz and failed to cover.

This time Rockets will try to put on a show in front of a home crowd and will want to replace the memory of the loss to the Lakers with a dominant victory over a team they should, and will probably ruin.

Don’t be shocked if the end result is something like Houston 132 Utah 105.

Detroit Pistons (+700) against Oklahoma City Thunder (-14.5), O/U 231.5

Detroit has a good squad this season, but will be brief because a few players will make suspensions for their role in a new change in court. With full strength, they would be hard pressed to keep up with a juggerna like Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thunder has recently crushed opponents and received 141, 145, 132 and 125 points in recent matches. When the pistons are maintained in this, I expect the thunderstorm to crush another opponent.

Best effort: Thunder -14.5

I’m not a big fan of investing in teams to cover such large spreads. But the pistons are not in the same class as Thunder and they will be down some players. OKC will cover the spread with ease.