NBA Best Bets Today, 3/25: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Tuesday
The Los Angeles Lakers had a great first quarter but that was about it. They lost the match against the Orlando Magic by 12 points, and were unable to cover the -4.0 spread. Nikola Vucevic never got in a rhythm and fell short of the over 9.5 rebounds for this match.
The Boston Celtics were back and forth with the Sacramento Kings in the first half. Then they pulled away in the second half, winning by 18 points and safely covering the -3.5 spread. Perhaps the spread should have been teased up, but we could see the Kings in one of our NBA best bets today.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/25
Just like yesterday there are eight games across the Association today. Unlike yesterday almost every game is a projected blowout, in fact the lowest spread today is +5.0, which was higher than every spread yesterday.
The five-point spread is in the Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat match. For a more in-depth look make sure to check out the Warriors vs. Heat Predictions. There is one straight bet that looks really great, and it is the first of a few NBA best bets today.
Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Total Over 229 (-112 on FanDuel) *BET OF THE NIGHT *2.0 U
The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Portland Trail Blazers in a late 10:00 PM ET tip off. The Moda Center welcomes the Eastern Conference’s best team and they come into this match as -6.5 favorites. Cleveland went through a small losing streak but are hoping to build on their most recent win. Portland is not an easy team to win against, as they are playing their best basketball of the season, and Cleveland has proven they can take down any team in the NBA.
The total is set at 229 on FanDuel and it removes the hook that other sportsbooks are offering. The Cavaliers are averaging 122.3 points per game, while the Trail Blazers are averaging 111.0 points per game. Their averages alone will put them over the projected total, and that is what this portion of NBA best bets today is counting on. Both teams like to get up and down the court and apply pressure with fastbreaks, and quick looks in set offenses.
Donovan Mitchell is out for this match, but that is even more reason to take the total. It does make the -6.5 spread more difficult to achieve, but both offenses are really humming, and that is why the total is suggested. This is the last game for Cleveland’s western road trip, and in the three previous losses they allowed their opponents to score; 132, 123, 123.
Portland has scored over its per game average in seven of the last eight matches. Scoot Hendereson and Shaedon Sharpe have contributed excellent points coming off the bench, and starter Deni Avdija is becoming an offensive threat regardless of who’s guarding him. Over his last ten games his per game averages are; 23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Portland will likely score over their average once again with Avdija leading the way.
Put two units on the total to go over in this match for our NBA picks, and make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for new FanDuel customers.
Thunder vs. Kings Prediction: Oklahoma City -10.0 (-105 on Bet365)
The Sacramento Kings got dealt a rough stretch from the scheduling department. Back to back games, first against the Boston Celtics now against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Golden 1 Center has two of the best teams visiting in a less than 28 hour span. Sacramento is banged up, and were a target of our NBA best bets due to it, and we are back at them again today.
An official injury report will need to wait until after today’s walk through but they were without Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and Doug McDermott. They did get Domantas Sabonis back, but it’s unclear if he will be available for today’s match. If he is unable to play this spread likely increases by a few points too.
The Thunder have Chet Holmgren listed as questionable, but Jalen Williams is listed as questionable too. That is an upgrade for Williams who has missed two weeks with a lingering injury. Williams’ return is pivotal as he is the second best player on their team. Even without Williams, and possibly Holmgren, Oklahoma City has Isaiah Hartenstein and Aaron Wiggins to help off the bench.
The Thunder have the best point differential in the league with +12.9. They also average 119.8 points per game. As long as they keep their averages in tact, they will easily cover the -10.0 spread. Once again there's no hook on the NBA best bet, a push could be in play, but the expectation is for them to cover the double digit line.
Our NBA predictions will put a unit for the Thunder to cover this game, which is nationally broadcasted on TNT. It will be one of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s last opportunities to make his case for MVP in front of a national audience. If you are a new customer to Bet365 make sure to take advantage of the offer at the end of this article.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/25
There is another back-to-back matchup to take advantage of, and it features the last of our NBA best bets today.
Mavericks vs. Knicks Prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns O11.5 Rebounds (-120 on DraftKings)
The Dallas Mavericks may have gone into tank mode but are currently on a two-game winning streak, and only 0.5 games back from ninth place in the Western Conference. If they are going to get a high lottery pick they need to start losing games they are supposed to lose. That includes the second of back to back road games.
The New York Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden and the Knicks are favored by -10.0 points. Dallas did not have to travel as they played Brooklyn last night. That helps some, but Dallas’ bench is so thin they will be tested against New York tonight. The Knicks have lost six of their last ten games, and are only 2.5 games ahead of fourth place Indiana Pacers.
Karl-Anthony Towns has not rebounded well, and the numbers have been below his average of 12.9 per game. He has 12 or more rebounds in just two of his last nine games, as he focuses on scoring in the absence of Jalen Brunson. He does have double digit performances in each of his last two games, and the expectation is for him to return to his average today.
Dallas has improved their rebounding over their last three matches, but still allow the seventh most rebounds per game in the Association. They will likely be resting front court players in this match which increases Towns opportunities. Town’s teammate, Mitchell Robinson, is also listed as questionable for this match. Should he not be able to play, Towns will have even more opportunities and his line or odds could move with confirmation.
Put a unit on this wager and cheer on Towns to be active on anything that doesn't go through the net. If you are a new customer to Draftkings make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer.
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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.