NBA BetSports Fantasy: 3 Play-In Picks

By Shawn Stewart

Firefly basketball player scoring a shot

We are officially 4-2 with our NBA picks after a wild week of Play-In action.

Tonight, the tournament concludes with two final “win-or-go-home” matchups: Hornets vs. Magic and Warriors vs. Suns. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the data is pointing to three clear opportunities to close out the week on a high note.

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Here are my top three player picks for Friday, April 17.

🏀 The Slate: Final Battle for the 8th Seed

Charlotte Hornets @ Orlando Magic | 7:30 PM ET
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns | 10:00 PM ET

1. Paolo Banchero: 5 Assists

Pick: OVER
The Logic: While the prop is often set at 5.5, it’s currently sitting at 4.5 at most books. Banchero has been a playmaking machine lately, hitting the Over in 12 of his last 15 games when the line is at 4.5. He’s averaging 5.1 assists on the season and recorded 11 against Boston just last week.

2. Draymond Green: 6 Rebounds

Pick: UNDER
The Logic: This is a tight line, but the data leans toward the Under. Draymond is averaging 5.5 rebounds per game this season. While he’s a “big game” player, Phoenix has been dominant on the boards lately, and Green has averaged only 4.8 rebounds in his matchups against the Suns this year.

3. Devin Booker: 2 Three-Pointers Made

Pick: OVER
The Logic: This is the strongest play of the trio. Booker is averaging 1.9 made threes per game this season. In a “win-or-go-home” scenario where he’s expected to play nearly 40 minutes, the volume will be there. He is currently -136 to go Over, reflecting the high probability of him hitting at least two triples.

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: Betting lines and player props are subject to change after the time of publication. Always check the current boards on BetSports Fantasy before locked in your picks.

📋 The Slate & Injuries

Hornets @ Magic (7:30 PM ET) | Warriors @ Suns (10:00 PM ET)
Watch: Kristaps Porzingis (GSW) and Jonathan Isaac (ORL) are both Questionable. Jimmy Butler III (GSW) remains OUT.

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