NBA Best Bets Today, 3/21: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday

The brooms were out at the Fantasy Alarm Betting Bungalow! It was the last day of winter, and spring cleaning took place. The spreads were safer than a pearl necklace locked away in a safety box at the bank. Fantasy Alarm NBA best bets torched the sportsbooks yesterday.
The Milwaukee Bucks easily destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers with a 29-point victory, slightly over the -3.0 mentioned in our NBA best bets. The Toronto Raptors only lost by three points against the Golden State Warriors, much less than their +14.0 spread.
A teased down spread would have been a great play. The Charlotte Hornets not only covered their +7.5 spread, but they were also victorious against the New York Knicks. The Hornets controlled most of the match and won it by 17 points.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/21
There are ten matches across the Association today for our NBA predictions, and there are several players sitting out as the March schedule continues to force starters out of the lineup.
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Portland -3 (+140 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT
A tough Northwest Divisional battle takes place between two teams attempting to climb up the positional rankings. The Portland Trail Blazers host the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center, and are slight favorites, with a -1.5 spread. Both teams have an opportunity to improve their rankings, despite being on opposite ends of the Western Conference.
The Nuggets are currently third in the West, and 1.0 games back from second. However, they are only 1.0 games away from fifth place as well, and 3.0 games away from sixth place. Nikola Jokic is out tonight, meanwhile Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Aaron Gordon are listed as day-to-day. The only starter without an injury designation tonight is Michael Porter
Portland is currently twelfth in the Western Conference but only 2.0 games back from tenth. They have won three in a row and are a much-improved team since the beginning of the season. Their young back court is improving daily, and they are one of the few teams, with a losing record, that are competing to be in the play-in.
Head Coach Chauncey Billups has the Trail Blazers playing for the opportunity of experiencing post regular season basketball. They have an opportunity to gain momentum against a depleted Denver team. Meanwhile the Phoenix Suns are playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers and are predicted to lose. A win by Portland and a loss by Phoenix would put the Trail Blazers 1.0 games back from the play-in.
Portland has a 19-16 record at home and have covered the spread at home with regularity this season. The suggestion for this wager is to tease it up 1.5 points in order to get much better odds. A push is possible, but with only one more point needed, the odds shift dramatically. To start our NBA best bets today, put a unit on the teased up spread for Portland.
Pelicans vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Julius Randle O6.5 Rebounds (-115 on DraftKings)
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ momentum has suddenly come to a halt. They were tied for sixth but have lost two in a row and now find themselves in eighth place. Despite that they can still move back into sixth place, and be in the playoffs and out of the play-in. Tonight, against the New Orleans Pelicans they can swing momentum back in their favor.
The Pelicans have lost seven of their last ten matches and have a front court that is lacking in depth. Julius Randle of the Timberwolves has a great opportunity to be a focal point for this match. He will be guarded by Zion Williamson and Kelly Olynyk who are not the best defensive players.
Williamson can be a great rebounder at times, but Randle is a three time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection. He is averaging 32.2 minutes per game and earning an average of 7.0 rebounds per game. He has gone over 6.5 rebounds in five of his last nine matches, and with Minnesota needing to snap their losing streak, Randle should be more active.
The Pelicans allow the third most rebounds per game this season with an average of 54.5 per game. They allow slightly more with 54.6 per game at the Smoothie King Center, and with Rudy Gobert’s lack of involvement due to injury and pain, Randle could be the leading rebounder of this match.
Put a unit on him earning his average in the next of our NBA best bets today. And, if you are a new customer to DraftKings, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/21
It was tempting to add another spread wager to our NBA picks in a ten-game slate, but a point line jumped out and cannot be ignored.
76ers vs. Spurs Prediction: Harrison Barnes O11.5 Points (-110 on Bet365)
Harrison Barnes earns the last of our NBA best bets today, and the over on his points is suggested. The San Antonio Spurs are playing for a high draft pick, but some veterans are playing for the thrill of the game. Harrison Barnes is one of those players.
He has played in every game this season and will be on the court as the Spurs host the Philadelphia 76ers at the Frost Bank Center. Barnes was fortunate to be an important piece to a championship team early in his career and has been one of the most reliable players this century. He has played 77 or more games in nine seasons and is on pace to do it this season.
Barnes is averaging 27.2 minutes and 11.8 points per game. Not bad averages for a role player in his thirteenth season.
This wager is set at his points per game average, and Philadelphia allows 115.2 points per game. The 76ers have six players listed as out, and Barnes will have experience as his advantage against a young 76ers lineup. Philadelphia has also allowed 125 or more points from their opponent in each of the last three matches.
Barnes has earned over 11.5 points in six of his last ten matches, and there is every indication that he will do it against one of the worst teams in the Association. Put a unit on him to cover his point line, and if you are a new customer to Bet365 make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer below.
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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
Kel’el Ware finished Tuesday’s win over Golden State with 14 points, 10 rebounds and a swat across 28 minutes.
Mikal Bridges finished Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks with 21 points (9-of-14 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), one rebound, one assist, one block and two three-pointers in 34 minutes.
Josh Hart amassed 16 points (6-of-9 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 33 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks.
OG Anunoby accumulated 35 points (15-of-24 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block and three three-pointers in 38 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks.
Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 26 points (10-of-19 FGs, 4-of-8 FTs), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and two three-pointers in 34 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks.
Spencer Dinwiddie logged 35 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks, scoring 13 points (4-of-11 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and two three-pointers.