Betting Preview: 4/13/2022

Today we will be previewing three games, one on the MLB Slate and two on the NBA Playoff slate.

MLB:

Cubs @ Pirates

The Chicago Cubs (3-1) will travel to PNC Park today to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-3) in game two of a three game series. The Cubs edged out the Pirates yesterday in the first meeting between these in division rivals, 2-1. This win was greatly affected by recent right field signing Seiya Suzuki, who hit two solo homeruns for the Cubs, in the 5th and the 7th. Suzuki has been red hot to start the season, batting .417 with 8 RBI and 3 HR in only 12 At-Bats. Bryan Reynolds added a solo homer in the 8th but it proved not to be enough, as David Robertson came in to get the save for the Cubs. Kyle Hendricks will take the bump today while the Pirates will counter with Zach Thompson, whom they acquired this offseason from the Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM EST.

NBA Play-in Tournament

Hornets @ Hawks

Both of these teams come into this play-in game with a 43-39 record. Last year, Atlanta made an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Bucks in 6 games. The Hornets are coming off a year in which they missed the playoffs. The game is being played in Atlanta, due to the tie-breaker of better divisional records after the two teams split the season series 2-2. Charlotte won their two head-towhead matchups by margins of 3 and 10 points. The Hawks won both of theirs by margins of 10 and 22. The Hawks racked up a 27-14 home record per the course of the regular season and will look to continue their hot hand at home tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.

Spurs @ Pelicans

The San Antonio Spurs (34-48) will travel to Smoothie King Arena to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) in the first round of the play-in tournament. Despite the Pelicans winning two more games than the Spurs this season, San Antonio won 3 of the four matchups between the two teams this year. The winner of this game will battle the Los Angeles Clippers for the right to the 8th seed in the Western Conference. Brandon Ingram, after missing the last two games due to hamstring tightness, expects to play tonight for the Pels. The Spurs all-star point guard Dejounte Murray is averaging 21.1 ppg to go along with 9.2 assists per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 PM EST.