NBA Best Bets Today, 3/19: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Zaccharie Risacher only had four points in the first half, but ended well past his point line of 14.5, cashing in the plus odds prop. Kristaps Porzingis ended up being the best player on the court due to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both sitting out. That was devastating to our NBA picks yesterday, as the under 5.5 rebounds wager was dismantled as he earned 13 last night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had the lead but couldn’t hold onto it as Kawhi Leonard reminded everyone why for a brief moment he was the best player in the Association. This caused the Cleveland -5.0 spread to be unsuccessful, causing a -1.0-unit loss yesterday for our NBA predictions.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/19
There are eleven games across the Association today, and for help navigating such a large pool make sure to check out the NBA DFS Show with James Grande and Jonathan Impemba.
Our NBA best bets today focus on three plus odd predictions. Starting with the best odds.
Mavericks vs. Pacers Prediction: P.J. Washington Double Double (+145 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT
Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. is the only healthy Dallas Maverick that was a starter at the beginning of the season. He was injured and out for seven straight games and has missed eight of the Mavericks last ten matches. In his return he played 32 minutes, scored 29 points, and recorded 12 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Today the Mavericks play against the Indiana Pacers, and P.J. Washington will once again be asked to be the most consistent player. Dallas has nine players out, and Brandon Williams is listed as questionable. Washington will once again have to be a strong presence in the front court against Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.
Washington averages 8.2 rebounds per game, and his rebounding line is set at 8.5, with the over heavily juiced. Indiana is tied for the ninth most rebounds allowed per game, 53.0 and allowed 58.0 in their most recent match. As long as Washington plays near his average of 32.3 minutes per game, the double double will be within reach.
Instead of putting money on a juiced-up rebounding line for our NBA best bets today, put a unit on the double double line of Washington. He will be heavily involved as the Mavericks do not have a healthy bench.
NBA Parlay Prediction: Pacers -4.5 & Knicks -4.5 (+101 on Bet365)
Fantasy Alarm teased down a two-team parlay two days ago and it was successful. The plan for our NBA best bets today is to go back to the formula and tease down the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks’ spreads. Indiana is currently at -10.5 spread while New York is at -8.5, and both are favored against teams headed for an April vacation.
The Pacers are in a tough Eastern Conference positional battle with the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. This battle will likely go to April 13th, and as it stands the Pacers have a 0.5 game advantage over Milwaukee and 1.0 over Detroit. With 15 games remaining they must win games against teams they are heavily favored. Dallas is an example of one of those teams, and the Pacers could cover the 10.5 spread, but tease it down to -4.5 to cover any shenanigans.
The New York Knicks have been fortunate to keep winning during the absence of Jalen Brunson. In doing so they have avoided the positional battle the previously three mentioned teams are in. The Knicks are 5.0 games ahead of the Pacers, and 6.5 games behind the second place Boston Celtics.
They are on the road against the San Antonio Spurs who have shut down Chris Paul for the season and are in a quest for Cooper Flagg. Should the Spurs get him paired with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, it could possibly be considered the best three-year draft by any franchise. San Antonio does not have an answer for Karl-Anthony Towns, and he will lead the way for the Knicks. The -8.5 could be covered with ease for New York.
However, the Knicks have had four games go to overtime since the All-Star break and five since February 12th. The teased down -4.5 spread allows for Towns going into foul trouble, or Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart having an off night. Put a unit on both teams to cover the teased down spread, and if you are a new customer to Bet365 make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer at the end of today’s article.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/19
The last of our NBA best bets today focuses on a player we cannot stay away from, our guy Nikola Vucevic.
Bulls vs. Suns Prediction: Nikola Vucevic O9.5 Rebounds (+110 on DraftKings)
The Well has let us down lately, and we have stayed away for most of the last month. But the sportsbooks have pushed his rebounding line down and given positive odds. Nikola Vucevic’s rebounding line was set at 8.5 and heavily juiced but has been moved to 9.5 and given plus odds. Although his rebounding was down, he earned 10 against the Utah Jazz in the Chicago Bulls most recent match.
Vucevic has ten or more rebounds in two of his four games since returning from injury. He also averages 10.1 rebounds per game this season and has a career average of 10.5 over 959 regular season games. Rebounding is what he does, it is what is natural for him. And despite the fact his three-point scoring is back up, rebounding is still what Vucevic prides himself in. The Bulls play the Phoenix Suns today and they are a good rebounding team. They allowed just 51.6 rebounds per game and allowed just 49.7 rebounds per game over their last three matches.
Vucevic is not an average rebounder though, and he will have size and experience over Nick Richards. Vucevic is the game’s projected leading rebounder, and both of these teams take several field goals per game. Chicago scores an average of 116.5 points per game, and Phoenix 114.4.
The Chicago Bulls have a great opportunity in front of them, with only 3.5 games separating them from seventh place. They should play with intensity, look for Vucevic to control the defensive paint. Put a unit on The Well to deliver on plus odd props once again to round out our NBA best bets today.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.