NBA betting: Let's ride the Sixers in East play-in

Our NBA props fell flat yesterday, thanks for nothing guys. We'll move off the players and instead focus on a few game results. We've got a big play-in game tonight in the East to secure the conference's seventh seed, and we also have an emotional NHL game that is worth tracking.

Ride the hot hand: Sixers seem strong this evening

The return of Joel Embiid has reinvigorated the Philadelphia 76ers, who have won five straight with their big man back and eight straight overall.

Few are playing better basketball right now than Philly, as the Sixers have won four of their last five by at least 12 points. 

Now they host Miami, a very tough team in their own right, though one they did beat 109-105 in Joel Embiid's return game.

The Sixers have now won two straight against Miami and may want to exorcise some past demons after falling to the Heat two postseasons ago.

We're buying the spread down a touch but riding the streaking Sixers into a secure postseason spot.

Betting: Philadelphia 76ers -4 (-140 DraftKings)

Send 'em out in style: hop on the Coyotes tonight

In case you missed it, the Coyotes are relocating to Utah for the start of next season, making tonight their last game in Arizona.

Hosting an Edmonton Oilers team that has nothing to play for and should be resting guys, the value is most definitely on the Arizona end here.

Expect a rowdy Mullett Arena to send out the Coyotes in style, and this team just beat Edmonton five days ago. 

Betting: Arizona Coyotes moneyline (+154 DraftKings)

In the news...

Lakers advance to playoffs, Warriors are out — Perhaps impacted by a late injury to Zion Williamson on his 40th point of the night, the Los Angeles Lakers survived the Pelicans and have secured a first-round matchup with the defending champion Denver Nuggets. We're now treated to a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, a series that saw Denver sweep LeBron James and the Lakers. If you like a dose of revenge, the Lakers are +250 to win that series. Elsewhere out West, Steph Curry and Golden State are out following a 118-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings (-110) and Pelicans (-110) will meet on Friday, and it's currently a pick 'em between the two as we await news on Williamson's availability.

NBA levies lifetime ban on Jontay Porter — Raptors center Jontay Porter was at the center of a gambling investigation a few weeks ago, with his Unders being the most bet on props of the night on two separate occasions, both games in which Porter left mysteriously early. The NBA has announced today that Porter has been banned for life for violating the NBA’s gaming rules.

Eastern Conference playoffs set in NHL — Thanks to the Flyers being forced to pull their goalie in a tie game because they had to win in regulation to have any shot of a playoff berth, the Washington Capitals were able to clinch the final playoff spot in the East on T.J. Oshie's empty-net goal. As such, the field is now set and matchups are finalized in the East. The New York Rangers will play Washington and are -450 favorites to advance. The Florida Panthers (-170 to advance) square off against Tampa Bay (+145), the Bruins (-125) and Maple Leafs (+105) meet, and Carolina (-340) draws the Islanders (+280). We still have some playoff seeds shuffling to see unfold out West. The NHL playoffs begin this Saturday.

RBC Heritage Open tees off Thursday — The PGA Tour season continues on, and it seems that the RBC Heritage Open offers us some intriguing betting options down the board. Of the three names Action Network highlighted at the link above, we're drawn to the 200-1 price on Webb Simpson. Simpson is searching for his first top-10 of the season, but he's made the cut in five of his six appearances and has won on this course before back in 2020. Getting a price like this on a past winner is tough to turn down. Yardbarker's resident golf expert Jack Dougherty also served us up some long-shot looks, headlined by Erik Van Rooyen at 120-1. Rooyen has been strong off the tees and with his irons, ranking 13th in ball striking this season. Success with those two clubs is a recipe for success at a course like Harbour Town. Count us in on both looks, and be sure to explore both previews in full before locking in your golf bets this weekend.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.