With the NBA regular season almost done and dusted, Friday's fixtures present a mix of games where teams have either plenty or nothing to play for.
The undoubted highlight comes first up, when Ben Simmons' Sixers host the ladder-leading Bucks.
Rounding out the day's action is a Cavs vs Kings contest, and the always entertaining Warriors vs Lakers rivalry.
Read on to discover our free NBA betting picks for all of Friday's games.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Odds: Bucks $1.71 (-2.5) / 76ers $2.18 (+2.5)
Friday's highlight game comes first off the bat, when the 1st-placed Bucks travel to Philly to take on the 3rd-placed 76ers.
This game has big implications for the playoffs seedings, with the winner set to wrap up their respective ladder position.
The loser meanwhile will be left with work to do in their final games to ensure they maintain their good seeding.
Looking first at the home side, they come into this game off the back of two straight defeats.
This was against the Mavericks and Hawks, who are both well outside playoffs contention.
The reason for these two disappointing victories boils down to one main reason.
The absence of superstar centre Joel Embiid.
Embiid is averaging the fourth most points (28) and the second most rebounds (14) league wide.
It's no wonder that when you take these kinds of numbers out of your starting line-up, that your team struggles.
Philly are a vastly better team with Embiid on the court. Therefore in a good piece of news for Sixers fans, he is expected to start in this top-of-the-table clash.
He'll need to be out there to help his side overcome the best NBA team of 2018/19.
Milwaukee responded well from a recent 1-point loss to the Hawks in overtime, by going to Brooklyn and beating the Nets by 10.
This was an impressive victory, that also provided some positive signs for Bucks fans.
Eric Bledsoe top scored with 29 points, demonstrating that it doesn't have to be Giannis to lead the way.
The "Greek Freak" is the heavy favourite in the NBA odds to win this season's MVP award.
He chipped in with a steady 28 points against the Nets, in a reminder of just how good he is.
Giannis didn't even play that well, and still managed 28 points and 11 boards.
This will send shivers down the spine of rival clubs, at how good the Greek Freak could be in coming years.
Look for a huge game here.
Key NBA Stat
The 76ers have won 6 straight at the Wells Fargo Center: Sixers to win @ $2.18
Free NBA Pick: No bet
Reasoning: So much depends on whether Embiid starts. If he does, Philly is the way to go.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Sacramento Kings
NBA Odds: Cavs $4.55 (+9.5) / Kings $1.22 (-9.5)
Even though both the Cavaliers and Kings are out of playoffs contention, this fixture still holds some interest for fans and NBA punters.
The Kings and Cavs are two teams that are heading in completely different directions.
Sacramento have really impressed in their 2018/19 campaign.
They currently sit in 9th spot on the Western Conference table, falling agonizingly short of a playoffs berth.
De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield have been the driving force.
But it's the Kings' style of play that has really captured attention.
They play fast, rarely slacking off the tempo and always giving the home fans at the Golden 1 Center something to cheer about.
In fact Sacramento is leading the league in points from fast breaks, with 21 per game. This is where Fox can use his speed and dribbling skills to not only score himself, but set up baskets for his teammates.
And while they haven't been in the best form of late, the bookies are right in installing the Kings as such heavy favourites in the NBA odds.
That's because of the quality of the opposition they come up against.
While Sacramento are a team on their way up, Cleveland are on the way down.
In their first season without LeBron, the Cavs have only managed 19 wins.
While this will be enough to keep them from bottom spot, it isn't by much.
But with only four games left in their season, and nothing to lose, an upset isn't beyond the Cavaliers.
This was the case in their recent win over Milwaukee, albeit in a game where Giannis was rested.
However, there have already been some strange results in recent weeks as the season dies down.
Don't be surprised if young Colin Sexton produces something special here to get the Cavs over the line.
Key NBA Stat
Cleveland have lost 6 straight games: Kings to win@ $1.22
Free NBA Pick: Sacramento to cover the -9.5 point line @ $1.92
Reasoning: You have to go with the classier team, who will want to put on a show in their penultimate home game of the season.
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Odds: Warriors $1.10 (-13.0) / Lakers $7.50 (+13.0)
Los Angeles is the venue for the fifth and final installment of this match-up that has produced some absolute belters in 2018/19.
While Golden State have got the better of their fellow Western Conference heavyweights, the Lakers would have nothing but fond memories of the Christmas day match where they thrashed the Warriors by 26.
And don't be fooled into thinking that there's nothing to play for here.
The Warriors are far from sewing up top spot on the Western Table.
The Lakers meanwhile would love nothing more to deal Golden State a body blow just when they are gearing up for the playoffs.
Especially as the LA franchise won't be contesting the playoffs, something they didn't expect after recruiting LeBron James in the offseason.
James has had another great season, but has lacked support from those around him.
Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma have both been good in patches, but it hasn't been good enough.
And if you're wondering why the Lakers are so long in the NBA odds, it's because both James and Ingram have been ruled out for the season.
Kuzma has also missed his last few and isn't expected to start here.
But that doesn't completely rule out LA's chances of pulling off the upset.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is in some good form, and needs to play a huge game for the home side's chances.
Golden State meanwhile are unlikely to play a full-strength team.
Whether it's Curry, Durant or Thompson who sits, it would be strange if all three started here.
Nevertheless, it's hard to see any other result than a dominant Warriors win.
Key NBA Stat
The Warriors have won their previous 4 games at the Staples Center: Golden State to win @ $1.10
Free NBA Pick: Golden State to cover the -13.0 point line @ $1.92
Reasoning: Against a team missing its three best players, the Warriors will win by 30 if they take this seriously.
Apr 05, 2019 07:01 PM
AAP
Key NBA Stat
Free NBA Pick: No bet
