April 12, 2023 - Matchplug Blog

new orleans pelicans vs oklahoma city thunder match preview

NBA Expert Picks: New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions Tonight

New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City Thunder meet in a matchup that will decide the season for both sides. This Play-In tournament matchup has all the makings of a memorable clash that’ll kick off the postseason in the right direction.

Keeping reading for more details about the Pelicans and Thunder game in the 2022-23 NBA Play-In Tournament, including the NBA Prediction Tonight, analysis, picks, and odds for this matchup presented by MatchPlug.

Predictions and Betting Preview for New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City NBA Play-In Tournament

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA.
When: Friday, April 12th 2023
Time: 18:30 GMT
Teams to play: New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.5

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting On New Orleans Pelicans

Regular Season Record: 42-40

1XBet Spread: -5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.5
1XBet Over/Under: Over 227.5
BetMGM Spread: -5.5
BetMGM Moneyline: Under 226.5
BetMGM Over/Under: 1.45

New Orleans Pelicans will play without Zion Williamson for this matchup VS Oklahoma City Thunder, but CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will still lead the team. Both players have the capacity to take over the Pelicans’ offense, which concluded the regular season with an average of 117.5 points per game. McCollum put up 20.9 PPG in the regular season, while Ingram made 24.7 PPG.

The duo expect to get assistance from Trey Murphy, Jonas Valanciunas, and Herbert Jones. Valanciunas will play an important role because of his rebounding powers. He ended the regular season with 10.2 RPG while playing efficiently too on offense with 14.1 PPG on 54.7 FG%.

While the Pelicans are dealing with a 113-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game that happened last Sunday, they covered the spread in five of their last 6 games after dealing with a loss.

Betting On The Oklahoma City Thunder

Regular Season Record: 40-42

1XBet Spread: +5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.75
1XBet Over/Under: Under 227.5
BetMGM Spread: +5.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.80
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 226.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder finished their regular season with a 40-42 record to secure an unbelievable spot in the Play-in Tournament. They weren’t regarded for a greater part of the season as a contender for playoffs, but the Thunder are now only two wins away from securing a sure spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

After 82 games, Oklahoma City mustered a +1.1-point differential, averaging 117.5 points per game and allowing 116.4 points per contest. They are led by an explosive offensive talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31.4 PPG on an impressive 51.0 FG% despite high usage.

Jalen Williams has also become a breakout talent for the Bolts, particularly in the last part of the NBA regular season. Williams put up 13.5 points on 47.8 FG% in his last four outings. As a team, the Thunder is 10-4 ATS in their past 14 games versus the Pelicans.

MatchPlug Prediction

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Josh Giddy lead the Thunder with good outside shooting and their powers for breaking down defenses with their respective talents.

Final Prediction: Pelicans win.

toronto raptors vs chicago bulls preview

NBA Expert Picks: Toronto Raptors VS Chicago Bulls Predictions Tonight

Toronto Raptors VS Chicago Bulls faceoff today, with both teams expecting to extend their season for one more game.

MatchPlug has all the details for Raptors VS Bulls in the 2022-23 NBA Play-in Tournament, including the NBA Predictions Tonight, picks, and odds for which side will win this matchup.

Check back on our Prediction Site for more NBA betting previews that cover the wrap-up of the regular season and playoffs.

Predictions and Betting Preview for Toronto Raptors VS Chicago Bulls Play-in Tournament

Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
When: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Time: 16:00 GMT
Teams to play: Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls.
NBA Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.485

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting On The Toronto Raptors

Regular Season Record: 41-41

1XBet Spread: -5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.485
1XBet Over/Under: Over 212.5
BetMGM Spread: -6.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.45
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 212.5

The Toronto Raptors ended their regular season experience on a positive note, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Sunday to a total score of 121-105. Toronto won 3 of its last 5 games and 6 of its last 9 outings. Plus they’ve gone unbeaten in all four of their most recent games at home.

Playing in front of their home audience in such a high-pressure match is a big advantage for the Raptors in today’s game, especially when you consider the success they’ve had lately at Scotiabank Arena.

The Raptors are also 15-5-1 ATS in its last 21 home games. Expect their defense to make the game more interesting. They are in 4th position in the NBA with only 111.4 points allowed per game and No.1 too with teams making our only 82.3 field goals per game with Toronto.

Betting On The Chicago Bulls

Regular Season Record: 40-42

1XBet Spread: +5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.28
1XBet Over/Under: Under 212.5
BetMGM Spread: +6.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.80
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 212.5

The Chicago Bulls will still play basketball beyond the regular season. They became the No.10 seed in the Play-in Tournament after winning their last two games for a 40-42 record. Chicago has momentum because of their present winning streak, which includes the 102-81 defeat of the Detroit Pistons at home last Sunday.

As always the Bulls, will depend on Zach LaVine (24.8 PPG), DeMar DeRozan (24.4 PPG), and Nikola Vucevic (17.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG) in this end-all game against the Raptors on the road. Chicago covered the spread in 12 games of their last 17 trips to face Toronto. They are also 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 meetings with Toronto.

MatchPlug Prediction

The Raptors draw strength from the energy of the crowd at Toronto, and Pascal Siakam will be a wrench in the plans of the Chicago Bulls.

Final Prediction: Raptors Win.

toronto blue jays vs detroit tigers match preview

MLB BEST BETS TODAY; Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers Expert Picks

Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers already played game one of this series on Tuesday night, with Detroit (2-8) securing a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Toronto (7-4) was unmoved, beating the next 9 runs on their way to a 9-3 win during their home opener.

Five Blue Jays players hit a home run and the bullpen hurled 1.2 on-hit innings behind Alex Manoah. Detroit used just two pitchers, and both of them had a forgettable night. Fortunately, the Tigers can get a clean slate when they return to the Rogers Centre today.

Let’s see if the Tigers can maintain a lead this time.

MatchPlug has some MLB Predictions Today for Blue Jays VS Tigers, culled from the best oddsmakers.

Predictions and Betting Preview for Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers MLB Regular Season

Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
When: Friday, April 12th, 2023
Time: 16:07 GMT
Teams to play: Toronto and Detroit.
MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5

Odds by 1XBet.

Betting On The Toronto Blue Jays

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.34
1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5

The Toronto Blue Jays could not hit a home run in their first series, which is odd for a team with powerful bats. Since leaving St. Louis, they’ve hit one in every game, crushing 15 over the next 8 contests. They enter today’s matchup; game two of this series with one loss in their last seven and with their power emerging, it is not a coincidence.

Toronto seems to have regained their strength, so they must keep batting strong if they want to win. They have the talent to do that.

Taking their first home series of 2023 will assist them greatly, especially with an upcoming matchup against the unbeaten Tampa Bay over the weekend. Kevin Gausman is the starter for today’s game. Gausman has not allowed an earned run this season in 12.0 innings and has 14 strikeouts against three walks. Last season, he faced the Tigers once, holding them to two runs (one earned) in 6.0 innings. The bullpen behind him has been solid so far and easily wiped out the Tigers’ bats in game one.

Toronto’s offense is more than capable of leading the team to victory if their pitchers can’t do so. The team puts up 5.7 runs per game, led by the heart of the order. Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Matt Chapman share an OPS of over 1.000 presently. Newbie Kevin Kiermaier, recognised for his world-class defense, has an OPS of 9.70 through his first nine games as a Blue Jay.

Betting On The Detroit Tigers

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.7
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5

After losing to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Detroit Tigers secured two of three against the Houston Astros. Since then, they’ve not won any other match; they enter today’s game on a five-game slide. They haven’t had any competitive losses either, all of them have been by three runs.

The Tigers were not fated to be a postseason team this campaign, but they expected better than what they’ve gone through 10 games. To stop this, Eduardo Rodriguez needs to detect the tone of today’s game when he starts for the 3rd time this season. The ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher has enough experience with the Blue Jays, facing them 17 times in his career.

Although Rodriguez has an unimpressive result, he owns a 5.20 ERA and has mustered 17 homers, tied for the most among all the teams he faced. His starts in 2023 haven’t been good too, as he allowed 4 walks, 9 hits, and 7 runs in 10.0 innings. He earned the loss in both starts too.

If Rodriguez gets through the Blue Jays’ bat untouched, he’ll deliver the ball to a reliever group that entered Tuesday 30th in WAR at -0.8. Especially since the only reliever who pitched on Tuesday allowed five earned runs in 2.0 innings, plus two home runs, these numbers are not increasing. Their bullpen was 26th in ERA before the match on Tuesday, and that ERA will increase from the 6.18 mark.

Detroit’s offense won’t save them too, as their 30 runs are the lowest in MLB. The Tigers are 29th in batting average, 29th in OBP and 30th in slugging percentage. Except for a few players, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Matt Vierling, nothing is working on the plate too. Out of 30 runs, 18 were in 3 games.

MatchPlug Prediction

The Blue Jays have an expert starting pitcher, a stronger bullpen, a better offense, and home field advantage in this game. Rodriguez has had some challenges with Toronto throughout his career and conceded 6 runs in 3.1 innings the last time he played them.

That doesn’t take in his struggles early this season. The Tigers’ offense may randomly blow up in this game, but since they’ve been the worst offense in MLB these first few weeks, the possibility of this happening is low. Detroit is battling a five-game losing streak and already owns a -41 run differential. There are not enough good reasons to expect the Tigers to compete in this match, except for the random nature of baseball. Toronto may dominate again.

Final Prediction: Blue Jays Spread.

atlanta braves vs cincinnati braves match preview

MLB BEST BETS TODAY; Atlanta Braves VS Cincinnati Reds Expert Picks

In Atlanta Braves VS Cincinnati Reds, the Braves (8-4) will host the Reds (4-6) today in the last match-up of a three-game series. Atlanta won 5-4 on Monday in 10 innings and 7-6 on Tuesday.

MatchPlug is ready with MLB Predictions Today for the Braves VS Reds game.

Predictions and Betting Preview For Atlanta Braves VS Cincinnati Reds Regular Season

Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
When: Friday, April 12th, 2023
Time: 16:20 GMT
Teams to play: Braves and Reds.
MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5

Betting On The Atlanta Braves

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.34
1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5

The over/under win total for the Atlanta Braves was set at 96.5, tied with the Dodgers for the best in the National League, and was two games higher than the Mets. Atlanta is already tied with Milwaukee Brewers for the NL best at 8th wins. Three of their four losses this campaign has been to the San Diego Padres.

Today, the Braves will deploy Spencer Strider (1-0, 2.45 ERA) to the mound first. The team have won two of Strider’s starts this season, defeating the Washington Nationals 7-1 and Padres 7-6. Last season he was 11-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 31 games, including 20 starts. Against Cincinnati, last season, Strider was 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two appearances.

Atlanta is averaging 4.8 runs per game this season, hitting 15 home runs. Mat Olson is on roll, batting .319 and leading the team with four home runs and 12 RBI. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the team with a .340 batting average, 17 hits and five stolen bases.

Betting On The Texas Rangers

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.7
1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5

Since the beginning of the season 3-1, the Cincinnati Reds have dropped five of their last 6 games. The last three losses for them and four of their 6 losses this season have been by just one run. According to Vegas Insider, Cincinnati began the season with a projected over/under win total of 65.5 which would make them last place in the NL Central.

Cincinnati averages 4.5 runs per game, headed by Jason Vosler with three home runs and nine RBI despite holding just a .188 batting average. Jake Fraley is in the lead with a .370 batting average and also had nine RBI. Hunter Green (0-0, 5.63 ERA) will start on the mound today.

The Reds lost Greene’s first two starts this season to the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 and Philadelphia Phillies 5-2. Last season as a rookie, Greene hit 24 starts and went 5-13 with a 4.44 ERA. Last season Greene made his MLB debut, picking up the win against Atlanta, allowing three runs in 5 innings.

MatchPlug Prediction

Cincinnati held close in the first two games of this series, but can’t be trusted in the finale. They are just 1-10 in their last 11 road games against a right-handed starter, while Atlanta is 23-4 in their last 27 home games against a team with a record of losing.

The Reds are 1-5 too in Hunter Greene’s last 6 starts and Atlanta has won 8 of the last nine regular season games Strider started.

Now, the Braves may be 0-6 against the run line as a home favourite this season, and the Reds are 4-1 as an away dog to the run line, but these trends may not stay the same way for the whole season. So experts back Atlanta on the run line.

Final Prediction: Atlanta Braves Spread.

Arsenal and Man United target Julián Brandt sign new Dortmund deal

Borussia Dortmund have announced that Julian Brandt has signed a new contract that will keep him at Signal-Iduna Park until 2026.

The midfielder’s previous deal was set to expire next summer, but the Bundesliga giants have successfully negotiated an extension after several weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiation over new terms.

The new deal comes as a blow for clubs interested in Brandt, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United all interested in the player, while Italian clubs Inter and Napoli were also keeping a watchful eye on negotiations.

BVB confirmed on Tuesday that Brandt has committed his future to the club.

Brandt said in a club statement: “Even after four years, I still have a lot of fun every single day being part of this very team, standing on the pitch with these guys and playing football for this highly emotional club with its extraordinary fans.

“To be honest, the feeling of being in the right place at the right time has always been the most important point in my sporting life.

“And that won’t change either. I’m looking forward to the next few years in black and yellow. And I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate something big together.”

Having sealed a deal for Brandt, Dortmund might attempt to tie down the highly sought-after Jude Bellingham to a new contract. The English midfielder is wanted by Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid but could stay back at Signal Iduna Park beyond this summer after Liverpool pulled out of the race due to his price tag.

Meanwhile, Dortmund are still in the Bundesliga title fight and could still pip Bayern Munich to the title this season, given the Bavarians’ struggles.

Should they win the title, it will help them in future negotiations and could persuade Bellingham to stay.

Liverpool pull out of Jude Bellingham’s race

Liverpool have reportedly given up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The Reds were keen on signing Bellingham this summer after identifying the Englishman as the face of their new project.

But new reports on Tuesday claim that Jurgen Klopp’s men have dramatically decided to pull out of the race to sign the youngster as they prioritise a significant squad rebuild instead.

According to a report by GOAL, the financial outlay needed to sign Bellingham this summer convinced Liverpool to abandon the deal and seek cheaper alternatives that would benefit the entire team.

Borussia Dortmund had placed a £120 million ($149m) price tag on the 19-year-old, who has two years left on his contract but who is expected to look to move clubs at the end of the season.

Liverpool believe they could get two or three other quality players with that amount and have taken the early and pragmatic decision to focus on a group of signings this summer rather than one stellar addition who would blow their entire kitty.

Klopp and the Liverpool transfer team have identified Chelsea’s Mason Mount as a possible alternative to Bellingham. The England midfielder will cost way less than Dortmund want for Bellingham, given that he has a year left on his contract at Chelsea and wants to leave Stamford Bridge. As a result, the Blues will be forced to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free next year.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Wolves’ Matheus Nunes is understood to have cooled. Still, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, Bayern’s Ryan Gravenberch, Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners and Luka Sucic of Salzburg are all admired.

Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Chelsea will travel to Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday to face Champions League holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their 2022/23 UCL quarter-finals.

Both sides have been meeting regularly recently, with this being their third straight meeting in this competition, having faced themselves on their way to the title win in 2021 (Chelsea) and 2022 (Real Madrid).

But for this edition, Carlo Ancelottin’s men are the favourites as they come into this tie in better shape than their rivals. This is despite a shocking 3-2 loss to Villarreal last weekend.

But they could be forgiven for taking their eyes off that game, given that they were already 12 points behind Barcelona in the title race before the weekend. So this competition has become a must-win for them this season, and they will undoubtedly be throwing everything at winning Europe’s premier club competition to salvage their faltering season.

Considering that they have won their last four meetings with English clubs, including last year’s final against Liverpool, Madrid certainly shouldn’t fear Chelsea’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Premier League woes continued at the weekend, despite the arrival of former boss and player Frank Lampard. The Chelsea legend could not get them back to winning ways against Wolves, who took home maximum points (1-0 win).

The Blues’ 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund to get this far was the high point of Graham Potter’s brief reign, so they can be expected to raise their game again as they search for a third UCL title.

Having triumphed 3-2 after extra time here last season despite ultimately losing 5-4 on aggregate, the Blues haven’t lost an away game on Spanish soil since March 2018 (W2, D2), which includes two visits to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid (W1, D1).

However, they were beaten 1-0 by Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 match in Germany, so they can take nothing for granted, especially as they’ve won just one of their last 13 competitive away games (D3, L9).

Click here to get accurate bet tips today.

AC Milan vs Napoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AC Milan will square up with Serie A rivals Napoli this Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final round.

Both sides are part of the six Italian teams still in European club competitions this season, with Inter Milan (UCL), Juventus and AS Roma (both Europa League) and Fiorentina (Conference League) the other four teams. Yet this fixture is the biggest of the clashes involving Italian teams.

Milan is at this stage of the UCL for the first time in eleven years and will be eager to grab an all-important first-leg lead. However, with just one win in nine competitive home games (D3, L5) against Serie A’s runaway leaders Napoli, they look set for a stern test.

Despite that, Milan’s confidence will have been boosted by their remarkable 4-0 win away to Napoli earlier this month, even though they followed that up with a disappointing goalless home draw with Empoli on Saturday.

But having recorded another clean sheet over the weekend, they will fancy their chances of recording another shutout here. Clean sheets have been a theme of Milan’s UCL journey as they chase a fifth-straight clean sheet in the competition for the first time since the 2004/05 edition.

Meanwhile, Napoli bounced back from their heavy loss to Milan by defeating Lecce 2-1 at the weekend. That result kept their dream of finally winning the Scudetto alive ahead of this defining week.

They have never reached this stage of the competition but made light work of Eintracht Frankfurt in the last round to qualify for this stage. So with the league title all but in the bag, given their 18-point lead in Serie A, the Blues can focus entirely on this tie which will be their first-ever UCL quarter-final.

The away form of Luciano Spalletti’s side has been imposing of late, something highlighted by the fact they’ve won eight straight games on the road, scoring at least twice in each. Their double here earlier in the season was notably the first time they’d scored 2+ times in seven away H2Hs against the Rossoneri. Still, as the UCL’s top-scoring team in this edition with 25 goals scored, a European tie could bring about another glut of goals on Milan turf.

Click here to get over 2.5 goals tips.

Day: April 12, 2023

NBA Expert Picks: New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions Tonight

Predictions and Betting Preview for New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City NBA Play-In Tournament

Betting On New Orleans Pelicans

Betting On The Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Expert Picks: Toronto Raptors VS Chicago Bulls Predictions Tonight

Predictions and Betting Preview for Toronto Raptors VS Chicago Bulls Play-in Tournament

Betting On The Toronto Raptors

Betting On The Chicago Bulls

MLB BEST BETS TODAY; Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers Expert Picks

Predictions and Betting Preview for Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers MLB Regular Season

Betting On The Toronto Blue Jays

Betting On The Detroit Tigers

MLB BEST BETS TODAY; Atlanta Braves VS Cincinnati Reds Expert Picks

Predictions and Betting Preview For Atlanta Braves VS Cincinnati Reds Regular Season

Betting On The Atlanta Braves

Betting On The Texas Rangers

Arsenal and Man United target Julián Brandt sign new Dortmund deal

Liverpool pull out of Jude Bellingham’s race

Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AC Milan vs Napoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

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