The Toronto Raptors come into this game as the likely 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. As the team prepares for the playoffs, they will enter as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 8 of their last 10 games. On the other side, the Rockets will be wrapping up a season in which they had the worst record in the West and likely the entire NBA. Even though the team has a below .500 record vs the spread, I see them covering vs a Raptors team playing on back-to-back nights. Look for Houston to keep this within the 11 point spread.

Depending on how things shake out in the first round of the play-in tournament, the Minnesota Timberwolves could eventually meet up for a chance to take on the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. Even though San Antonio comes into the game on a 3 game winning streak, they are still 8 point underdogs in Minnesota. Even if the Spurs had Dejounte Murray available, they would still be at a disadvantage on offense. Given that he is unlikely to play, look for the Wolves to pick up the win and cover the spread.

The Atlanta Hawks come into this matchup as the 9 point favorites, in a game they need to win if they hope to host their first matchup of the play-in tournament. Both are below .500 vs the spread for the season. However, over their last 10 games, both the Hawks and Wizards have covered over half of the time. I see Washington keeping this game within 9 points, as they should have no problem scoring vs Atlanta.

With 5 games remaining on the schedule, the Utah Jazz are jockeying for position in the West. Heading into the game, they sit just a .5 game behind Denver for the 5th seed. However, if they fail to finish the season strong, they are in danger of being caught by a Minnesota squad who has rattled off 2 straight wins. With the spread sitting 5 points in favor of the Jazz, look for Utah to knock off the Grizzlies and cover the spread

The Miami Heat come into this game having picked up three straight wins, improving their odds to lock down the top seed in the East. However, with just 5 games left on the season, Miami will need to continue to win, as Milwaukee is just 1.5 games behind the Heat. On the other side, Toronto has moved up to the 5th seed in the Conference. With a limited number of games remaining, they still have an outside chance to catch Philadelphia and grab home-court advantage for the playoffs' first round. Having won 5 straight games, look for Toronto to continue their hot play, covering the spread against Miami.

Heading into this matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in need of a win over New York, as it would help ensure that they maintain the 7th seed and home-court advantage in the NBA play-in tournament. This will be important, as the Cavs are not playing their best basketball, dropping two-straight games, including dropping 6 of their last 10. Look for Cleveland's defense to cause problems for a Knicks team that struggles with their scoring efficiency. I recommend taking the Cavs to cover the spread.

Tonight's matchup between the Nuggets and Timberwolves features the Western Conferences 6th and 7th seeded teams, respectively. Heading into the game, Denver holds a comfortable 3 game lead over Minnesota. However, a Timberwolves win would make things interesting down the stretch, as each team will have 4 remaining regular-season games. The Nuggets enter the matchup as 4 point favorites and are riding a 2 game win streak. Look for Denver's superior offensive efficiency to come through in a win that covers the spread vs the Wolves.

The Los Angeles Clippers travel to take on the Chicago Bulls as the 3.5 point road underdogs. Look for this game to come down to the Clipper's advantage at the three-point arc. For the year, LA has been one of the most efficient shooting teams from outside, hitting 36% of their three-point attempts. In addition, the Clippers are the 9th rated unit at defending the arc, allowing opponents to connect at a rate of just 34%. On the other side, Chicago is a much worse defensive unit. In particular, the Bulls struggle to defend the arc, ranking 24th in the opponent's three-point percentage. Look for the Clippers to cover on the road.

Tonight's matchup of Minnesota and Toronto features the 6th and 7th seeded teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. Between the two units, Toronto has the better chance of moving up the standings, as they are just a .5 game behind Chicago for the 5th seed. As the home team, the Raptors enter as 3 point favorites. So far, both units have performed well vs the spread. However, look for Toronto to take care of business and cover at home.

The Brooklyn Nets come into this game in need of a win, as they are coming off a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Not only did this loss spoil the home-debut of Kyrie Irving, but it was also a loss to one of Brooklyn's direct competitors in the standings. Heading into this matchup, the Nets have just a .5 game lead over Charlotte and a 1 game advantage over Atlanta at the 10th seed. With a spread sitting at 13.5 points, I see the Nets pulling out the win but Detroit covering late.

The Boston Celtics head to Toronto on a 6 game winning streak, that has moved them to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Even though there is still a chance that holding the top seed in the East would lead to a first-round matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, don't anticipate the Celtics to ease off the gas. On the other side, Toronto has won 2 straight games, including a dominant performance vs Indiana. With injuries to Al Horford and Robert Williams, look for Toronto to have their way inside. I recommend taking the Raptors to cover the spread at home.

Even though the Brooklyn Nets come into this matchup playing on back-to-back nights, they will have a boost in energy as Kyrie Irving is set to make his home debut with the team. In addition, Brooklyn just took down the Miami Heat in an important road win. On the other side, Charlotte has an opportunity to move into an 8th place tie with the Nets. With Brooklyn entering as 7 point favorites, I see this game ending closer than that spread. I like Charlotte to cover on the road.

The Denver Nuggets are hoping that a matchup with Oklahoma City is the ingredient needed to help them get hot down the stretch. Over their last 10 contests, the Nuggets are just 5-5. Due to this mediocre play, the team is just .5 game ahead of the Timberwolves for the 7th seed and a birth in the play-in tournament. Heading into the game, keep an eye on the injury report, as Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is questionable with an ankle injury. However, even if he is able to play, I am still leaning to take Denver ATS.

Both the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves enter this game as two of the league's top-performing teams' against the spread. So far, the Mavs are 41-31 ATS, while the Wolves are 40-32. This includes each time finding success vs other Western Conference opponents. Even though Minnesota has failed to cover in their last two outings, look for them to pick up both a straight-up and ATS win over the Mavericks

Heading into this matchup, the Brooklyn Nets are 2.5 point road favorites, as Ja Morant will not be playing with a knee injury. In addition, because this game is being played in Memphis, the Nets will have the benefit of Kyrie Irving being available to play. Look for the Nets to pick up the win and cover the spread, as I see both Irving and Kevin Durant having big scoring nights.

The Boston Celtics continue their Western Conference road trip with a matchup vs the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both units are playing tonight's game have just played last night. Boston will look to keep things rolling as they just took down the Denver Nuggets, while the Thunder are looking to bounce back after falling to Orlando. With the Celtics sitting just a .5 game behind Milwaukee for the 2nd seed in the East, look for the team to continue their hot play with a win over the Thunder. However, with the spread at 13.5 points, look for Oklahoma City to cover the spread.

Heading into this matchup, keep an eye on the injury report, as OG Anunoby is already listed as out for the Raptors, and Joel Embiid is questionable with a back injury for Philly. Going into the game, the Sixers are tied for 2nd in the Eastern Conference, sitting 3 games behind the Heat. With Toronto coming into the game as the 7th seed, there is a chance that these two groups could see each other in the first round. This matchup features two team's looking to play at opposing seeds, with Toronto hoping to speed things up. On the other side, the Sixers average the fewest field goal attempts per game. Even if Embiid is able to play, I expect the team to be careful with his minutes, I like Toronto to cover at 5.5 points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers come into this game as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. However, if they are able to get hot down the stretch, they have a realistic chance to move back to the 4th seed, where they spent a majority of the season. However, if this is going to happen, they need to pick up their play. Over their past 10 games, Cleveland has just 4 wins. But, the Cavs should be able to take advantage of playing a Detroit unit that has just 8 road wins on the year. Even though, I see Cleveland picking up the win, look for the Pistons to keep this game within the 7.5 point spread.

The Boston Celtics continue their road trip with a matchup vs the Sacramento Kings. Boston will look to build off the momentum of taking down the Warriors against a Kings unit that has won just 3 times over their last 10 games. With the spread sitting at 8.5 points in favor of the Celtics, I like the road team to cover the spread. Heading into the game, Sacramento's top player De'Aaron Fox is questionable with a hand injury. Even if he is able to play, he figures to be less than 100%. Given that Sacramento relies on his ability to push the pace and generate offense look for Boston to pick up the easy win and cover.

Tonight's matchup between the Hornets and Wizards is a key game for each team, as they are both battling for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and a birth in the play-in tournament. Between the two team's Charlotte is more reliant on the three-point shot, ranking 6th in attempts. They have also paired their high volume with efficient shooting, connecting at a rate of 36%. Look for the Hornets to benefit from playing a Hawks team that struggles defensively. I like Charlotte to cover the spread.