NBA Play-In Tournament betting tips: Magic, Kings show identity in playoff race
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 15, and Sports News Blitz’s George Dempsey is here to provide you with the best betting tips and picks that money can’t buy.
That’s right, it’s play-in time - the time of the year when all the teams who weren’t quite good enough to make the cut crash the postseason party like a bunch of extended family at a wedding.
After snatching hope from the jaws of mediocrity and throwing it against the wall to see if it sticks, the tournament tips off with a doubleheader, where the Orlando Magic host the Atlanta Hawks, followed by the Golden State Warriors welcoming the Memphis Grizzlies.
The fun continues on Wednesday night as the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat clash in a pick-em’ contest, with the Sacramento Kings hosting the Dallas Mavericks to cap off the first round.
NBA news: Regular season concludes with compelling stories in this year’s playoffs
The NBA Regular Season concluded this past Sunday, with plenty of compelling team dynamics to reflect on and stories to look forward to in the Playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as they have done all season long, with the Cleveland Cavaliers fending off season-long foes, the Boston Celtics, to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer Aidan Leo offers his thoughts on the final round of the NBA Regular Season and what we can all expect in this year’s postseason.
NBA news: Lakers secure Western Conference third seeding ahead of play-offs
The Los Angeles Lakers secured third seeding in the Western Conference ahead of the NBA play-offs thanks to a dominant performance over second-seeded Houston Rockets on Friday.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer Aidan Leo reviews another Doncic masterclass and looks ahead to the post-season.
NBA news: Lakers star Luka Doncic buries Mavericks in Dallas after emotional tribute
The Los Angeles Lakers and star man Luka Doncic picked up a statement 112-97 win over the Slovenian’s former side, the Dallas Mavericks, on Wednesday to secure a play-off berth.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer Aidan Leo reflects on the clash at American Airlines Center and what it means for the Lakers and Doncic ahead of a tough postseason.
NBA playoffs: Everything you need to know - Western Conference edition
With six games to go for most teams in the Western Conference, the race for the final NBA playoff and play-in spots have really heated up.
The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies all have 44 wins up to this point, and with the last two guaranteed playoff places available, there is a lot left to play for.
With the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth seeds to be made up by those four teams, the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns are left to fight for the remaining two places in the play-in.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson analyses each team’s recent form and offers a prediction of who will make it.
NBA Playoffs 2025: Schedule, format, play-in, where to watch, betting odds, tips and predictions
The NBA season may feel like it’s winding down as we approach the end of the regular season in mid-April, but the fun’s just beginning as the play-in and playoff games now come into focus.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the bookies' favourites to lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, but there’s a lot of basketball to play between now and the NBA Finals in June.
It all begins with the NBA play-in tournament, where the number seven to 10 seeds in each conference battle it out for a spot in the playoffs.
In this article, Sports News Blitz NBA expert George Dempsey breaks down everything you need to know about the playoffs and shares his predictions.
NBA news: Can Oklahoma City Thunder make it 70 wins for the season?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the outstanding teams to watch in the NBA this season and are currently in first place in the Western Conference.
Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce analyses the Thunder's record-breaking campaign.
NBA news: Analysis of the Eastern Conference play-off race
With most teams having just 10 games left in the NBA regular season, the race for the play-offs is heating up considerably.
Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson analyses the Eastern Conference play-off race and predicts which sides will qualify.
NBA news: LeBron James' buzzer-beater lifts LA Lakers over Indiana Pacers
LeBron James continues to make waves in the basketball world, with his latest triumph coming against the Indiana Pacers.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo breaks down the action after James delivered an iconic moment on Wednesday, March 27.
Why you should bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Playoffs
Sports News Blitz writer George Dempsey breaks down why the Oklahoma City Thunder are worth a wager this season.
With rising confidence, OKC is primed to make a serious run for the NBA Championship.
NBA news: LA Lakers eye Ivica Zubac Reunion with LeBron James to strengthen frontcourt for title push
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring ways to bolster their frontcourt depth following their blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.
With championship aspirations at the forefront, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has set his sights on a familiar face - Ivica Zubac.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo notes that Zubac’s potential return to the Lakers could provide the defensive stability and interior presence the team needs to make a serious championship push.
NBA betting tips: Oklahoma City Thunder pump the Detroit Pistons as West meets East
Sports News Blitz NBA expert George Dempsey breaks down Saturday night's clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons.
With OKC eyeing another statement win and the Pistons fighting for a playoff spot, this showdown promises plenty of intrigue.
NBA news: Stephen A. Smith calls LeBron James’ confrontation ‘weak’ amid Bronny James controversy
The ongoing tension between ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James reached a boiling point last week, with Smith openly calling James’ response to his commentary on Bronny James “weak” and “some bullsh*t”.
NBA news: Five draft prospects the Dallas Mavericks could target in the off-season
The Dallas Mavericks have had a disastrous beginning to March, winning just one of their last eight games, beating fellow strugglers Charlotte Hornets in that time.
After controversially trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, the Mavericks have had to deal with massive injury problems.
Sports for Dummies – Guide to the NBA
Welcome new NBA fans! In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about the basketball league, including its rules, stars, legends, and classic rivalries.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Nnaemeka Obinna presents a Sports for Dummies guide to the NBA.
NBA news: LeBron James makes history with 50,000 career points
LeBron James has made NBA history as the first player to reach 50,000 career points.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo covers the milestone, emphasising its significance in cementing James' legendary status.
NBA betting tips: Underdogs on top as Cavaliers meet Celtics and Timberwolves face Jazz
It is set to be another exciting weekend in the NBA, with there a number of high-profile showdowns to look forward to.
Sports News Blitz tipster George Dempsey offers his best betting tips ahead of the action.
NBA news: Luka Doncic faces former team in emotional clash
Luka Doncic faced his former team for the first time since being traded, delivering a strong performance for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite an emotional buildup, the Slovenian star led his new team to a statement victory, though his postgame reaction reflected the complexity of the moment.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo breaks down the intense matchup.
NBA betting tips: Houston Rockets to gain revenge, San Antonio Spurs to struggle without Wembanyama
It is set to be another blockbuster weekend in the NBA, with the second half of the season now well under way and play-off contenders starting to pull clear of the chasing pack.
Sports News Blitz tipster George Dempsey offers his best betting tips ahead of the action.
NBA news: LeBron James’ late misses prove costly in the LA Lakers’ shocking loss to Charlotte Hornets
In a dramatic turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers fell 100-97 to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, February 19.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo provides a detailed account of the game's pivotal moments, including LeBron James’ misses.