Happy Monday everyone, and welcome to week 23 of the NBA. There are only three regular season weeks remaining, and it is crunch time for several franchises. 

There are also several players entering games with questionable tags. In fact it’s almost impossible to find a player that does not have a questionable tag. This was the case with Jalen Duren, and why he didn’t play yesterday. Pascal Siakam did play and delivered for his fifth straight winning bet for this column.

 

 

 

Today, there are eleven NBA games, as almost 75% of the league is in action. However after looking over two dozen player propositions, there are a few NBA best bets that seem favorable. It features a couple players who this column has mentioned before: Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. 

‘The Well’ is playing at Crypto.com Arena for the second night in a row… and we bet on him again. My NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’ is a veteran making a late season appearance for the first time paired with a straight bet for a Same Game Parlay.

Expert NBA Best Bet Today, 3/25

Trail Blazers vs. Rockets SGP ft. Fred VanVleet Player Props: Houston ML + VanVleet Over 7.5 Assists (-115 on DraftKings)

In the search for players who are not listed as questionable, Fred VanVleet popped out. He has led the Rockets to an eight game winning streak and they are now only one game away from the play-in. The Houston Rockets no longer have a losing record, with 35 wins and 35 losses. They are trending in the right direction at the right time.

With Alperen Sengun out, VanVleet has been a true point guard by getting others involved in the game. He has recorded eight or more assists in nine of his last 11 games. He earned only seven in the Rockets last game, but that was a blowout win in which he only played 27 minutes. VanVleet is seventh in the Association in assists per game with 8.2. 

The Rockets host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, who allow 115.9 points per game. The Rockets will be without Sengun again, and VanVleet will be playing against a young team. The Rockets moneyline is at -700 and VanVleet standalone over 7.5 assists is at -160… heavily juiced. A same game parlay has taken these inflated lines and combined them for a respectable -115.

The only risk for this bet is if the Rockets are winning in another blowout and they rest VanVleet in the fourth quarter.

 

 

 

NBA Prop Bets Today, 3/25

Pascal Siakam Player Props: Over 7.5 Rebounds (-135 on BetMGM)

Pascal Siakam cashed on this exact same bet last night in the first two minutes of the third quarter. He has been the most reliable bet for the last third of the regular season, and one Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets has ridden. 

His reliability has earned him the nickname of ‘The Well’, because every time we put money down on him, he delivers on the way up. He has been successful on the last five wagers placed, and has eight or more rebounds in seven straight games. He is playing in back-to-back games, but it did not require any traveling. 

The Indiana Pacers play the Los Angeles Clippers who are not as good rebounders as the Lakers. In addition to that the Clippers are a better overall team, and the Pacers will have to bring effort to earn a win. This favors Siakam’s over on the rebounds, as well as his minutes and effort given. 

He is playing recharged under Rick Carlisle, and it should continue tonight. The Pacers are in sixth place, but only 0.5 games ahead of seventh and eighth place. Look for Siakam to do everything he can to help the Pacers win, including earning eight or more rebounds.

 

 

 

Nikola Jokic Player Props: Under 27.5 Points (-125 on BetMGM)

Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable and could sit out this game. He has played in 68 games this season and has not missed back-to-back games. The Denver Nuggets host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. The Nuggets just gained sole possession of first place, while the Grizzlies have recently been eliminated from playoff contention. 

Jokic has six games with over 30 points this month, but in the chance the Memphis Grizzlies are blown out, Jokic could sit the entire fourth quarter. He is averaging 26.1 points per game and is playing a less than average defense in Memphis. 

The Grizzlies allow the 10th most points by opposing centers, but when Jokic is playing a team with a losing record, he looks to pass first. That could be the case tonight as he looks to get role players involved early and often. He also could play fewer minutes, as Jokic is not concerned about padding his stats. He is more focused on the playoffs and controlling the number one seed of the Western Conference.

The thought is this will happen: a high assist total with few (if any) minutes in the fourth quarter. It is difficult betting the under on what will very likely be a three-time NBA MVP, but the calculations indicate a less than average scoring night.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading my NBA best bets today! Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise.