NBA Playoffs games were dominating the betting markets as of Saturday morning April 19.

Bucks vs. Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks (48-34, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT

LINE: Pacers -5.5; over/under is 224.5.  The line has moved from Pacers -4.5 to -6.  Action came in as 60 percent to 70 percent on Milwaukee.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Pacers host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The Indiana Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks to begin the Eastern Conference first round. Indiana and Milwaukee tied the regular season series 0-0.

The Pacers are 10-6 against opponents in the Central Division. Indiana ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 29.2 assists per game led by Tyrese Haliburton averaging 9.2.

The Bucks have gone 31-21 against Eastern Conference opponents. Milwaukee is eighth in the NBA averaging 14.2 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.7% from downtown. Damian Lillard leads the team averaging 3.4 makes while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range.
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The Pacers average 117.4 points per game, 4.4 more points than the 113.0 the Bucks give up. The Bucks are shooting 48.6% from the field, 1.2% higher than the 47.4% the Pacers’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is shooting 51.9% and averaging 20.2 points for the Pacers. Haliburton is averaging 15.8 points over the last 10 games.

Understand the Role of a Basketball Bookie

Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand what being a basketball bookie entails. Success in sports betting is about balancing risks, making profits, and keeping your clients happy.

Your primary responsibilities include:

• Offering competitive odds for basketball games
• Tracking bets and maintaining accurate records
• Managing payouts and ensuring timely transactions

Take the time to learn the betting types and how odds work. Mastering the basics will boost your confidence and give you an edge in your sports betting career.

Timberwolves vs. Lakers

Timberwolves vs. Lakers Betting Preview

Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32, third in the Western Conference).

The Lakers are 36-16 in Western Conference games. Los Angeles has a 4-6 record in one-possession games.  The Timberwolves are 33-19 against conference opponents. Minnesota averages 114.3 points and has outscored opponents by 5.0 points per game.

Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The AcePerHead proprietary odds feed showed as much as 80% of the overall money on the Lakers early on.  BetOnline at one point overnight had the number as high as -5.5. while Circa had been alternating between the 4 and 4.5.

The Action Network's Brandon Anderson pointed out a glaring concern with the Lakers.

"The depth is not there. The size is not there. The speed is not there. The switchability is not there.  The lack of lineup versatility or defensive flexibility makes them vulnerable against the Wolves' length and structure."

Meanwhile, he notes that:

“The Timberwolves offense is clearly better than the Lakers offense. And by the metrics, the Timberwolves defense is way better than the Lakers defense.  Minnesota finished the season with a top-2 defense and a more efficient halfcourt offense than Los Angeles. The Lakers were a bottom-third defensive team over the final stretch."

He adds: "The Wolves' defense tightened even further after the All-Star break. Against a slower Lakers team, that defensive pressure could smother possessions."

The Lakers’ 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.6 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Timberwolves allow. The Timberwolves average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Lakers allow.