NBA: With playoffs at risk, the Heat visit the Timberwolves while the Clippers face their arch-rival Lakers - Frank picks ‘em

Heat (-2.5) @ TIMBERWOLVES (217.5)
Pick: Heat -2.5
It’s the basketball game this weekend in Minneapolis everyone will be watching. Okay, bad joke. But it’s the beginning of a weekend of basketball wagering in the twin cities. The Heat need a win against the lackluster Timberwolves to keep their playoff hopes realistically alive. Miami has been dynamite all season on the road posting an impressive 26-12 ATS mark away from South Beach. This number feels short given what’s at stake for Miami and the fact that there’s nothing at stake for Minnesota. This handicap also feels pretty square, but ask yourself if the Miami Heat are really going to let Dwyane Wade’s send off season end without a playoff berth because they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The answer is almost certainly no.

Lakers (+11) @ CLIPPERS (230.5)
Pick: Clippers -11
After taking it on the chin at home on Wednesday night against the Rockets, it probably wasn’t a fun practice for the Clippers yesterday. While Doc Rivers’ team has its spot secured for the association’s second season, it’s important that they win at least one more game in the regular season to avoid playing Golden State in the opening round. What better way to bounce back than to play a Lakers team that has completely checked out? If you knew five Lakers in last night’s starting lineup against the Warriors, you deserve a free beer this weekend. The Lakers have been a mess all season against the number entering Friday night at 33-43-1 ATS. The Clippers have bounced back well all season under Rivers going 19-12 ATS so far in games following a loss. The Clippers get back on track in a big way against their arch-rival.