NBA Betting Tips: Luka to haunt Mavericks in Dallas return

As the regular season winds down, the NBA returns tonight with a 10-game slate, with play-off implications looming large over several teams. 

Read on for my NBA betting tips for Wednesday, April 9.

Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers - Lakers on moneyline @ 4/7

An absolute cracker to start things off as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in the early hours of Thursday morning (00:30), live on TNT Sports 1.

This match-up, of course, sees Luka Doncic return to his old stomping ground for the first time since his blockbuster trade to LA, which also sent Anthony Davis in the opposite direction.

This game marks the second of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who lost last night to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but LA will know that if they avoid any slip-ups then they'll clinch an automatic play-off spot.

The Mavs currently occupy the final play-in position in 10th in the Western Conference standings, three wins above 11th-placed Phoenix Suns, despite losing three of their last four outings.

I think the momentum firmly lies with the Lakers in this one, so I'm taking them on the moneyline here.

Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat - Bulls on moneyline @ 11/10

Next, I'm taking a look at the all-Eastern Conference match-up between Chicago and Miami.

The Bulls come into this contest looking to assert themselves at home, where in recent weeks, they've shown resilience and improved intensity on the defensive end.

Miami struggle to maintain consistency, going 3-2 in their last five encounters although they did go on a decent win streak last month. However, the Bulls offence will be tough to slow down, as it currently ranks the sixth-best in the entire league in terms of scoring.

Chicago's energy at home, combined with the improvement they've shown defensively, should be enough to edge this for me against a streaky Miami outfit.

Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets - Kings on moneyline @ 11/8

My final pick comes from a crucial Western Conference tie as the Sacramento Kings host the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings, currently on a three-game winning streak, are eager to capitalise on their momentum and secure a vital victory to bolster their post-season aspirations.

In contrast, the Nuggets are navigating a tumultuous period marked by a four-game losing streak and significant changes within the franchise, including the recent dismissal of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.

Nuggets talisman Nikola Jokic continues to break records and is the current favourite for the MVP award, but Denver have been decimated by injuries recently, disrupting their rhythm.

The Kings look a well-organised and cohesive outfit, as demonstrated by recent victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, and look primed to exploit Denver's current vulnerabilities.

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