NBA Best Bets Today, 3/27: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
The Indiana Pacers lost by one point, as the sportsbooks had their spread dialed in. The Los Angeles Lakers managed to pull off the win on the road, as a familiar feeling was brought back to Indiana. Lebron James made a last second tip in, bringing heartbreaking flashbacks for Pacer fans, and ruining our plus odds money line prediction.
The Phoenix Suns did not even attempt to play against the Boston Celtics, but Kevin Durant did show up, clearing his 25.5 points. The Los Angeles Clippers did deliver on their -2.0 spread, and hopefully the suggestion of building a ladder was utilized. The Clippers ended up with a 13-point victory over the New York Knicks, keeping the damage in yesterday’s NBA predictions to -0.59 units.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/27
There are eight games across the Association today, and several teams playing in back-to-back matches.
One of those games features the first of our NBA best bets today, and we are putting two units on it.
Lakers vs. Bulls Prediction: Chicago ML (+142 on DraftKings) BET OF THE NIGHT *2.0U
The Chicago Bulls are playing excellent basketball and host the Los Angeles Lakers who played in a match that literally went until 0.1 seconds to have an outcome. Chicago has won three in a row, including against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, now they host them at the United Center. Chicago has won eight of their last ten games and most several of those were on the road.
The Bulls will have to change their narrative of being a better road team, 19 road wins to 13 home wins, as they are once again home underdogs. They are still 2.5 games behind the Magic, who have suddenly put together a stretch of good games, and only 1.0 games ahead of the tenth place Miami Heat. If they want the eighth seed they must keep winning, especially against teams playing their second of back to back matches.
The Lakers are 7-4 in the second of back to back games, but 3-3 when those games are on the road. They also have a negative road record with 16 wins and 19 losses. They are in a tight battle in the Western Conference, and a string of losses could send the Lakers as far down as the play-in. How do they view this game, and how will they approach it with their roster?
The Bulls have a young and talented back court in Coby White and Josh Giddey. They lapped around the Lakers and dismantled the Denver Nuggets. Giddey is listed as questionable but the expectation is for him to play. They will each expose Luka Doncic and each will have another stellar performance.
Our NBA best bets today will put two units for the Chicago Bulls to be victorious today against a tired Lakers team playing the second of back-to-back matches. If you are a new customer to DraftKings make sure to take advantage of the offer from Fantasy Alarm to earn bonus money.
Trail Blazers vs. Kings Prediction: Portland +6.0 (-110 on Bet365)
The Portland Trail Blazers did not take advantage of their opportunity to get into the top ten of the Western Conference. As much as the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Sacramento Kings have made an attempt to lose their way out of the play-in, Portland has decided to join the popular movement instead of opposing it.
The Trail Blazers have lost two in a row, but the Kings have lost four consecutive matches. The Kings are in ninth and Trail Blazers twelfth, and it is questionable that either will make the play-in. The Kings have a slightly better offense, but the Trail Blazers allow less points per game,114.2 to 115.8.
Portland also has a better back court with more depth. Malik Monk has been in and out of the lineup for the Kings, while the Trail Blazers have four great guards capable of facilitating and scoring when needed. It starts with Anfernee Simons and the guards, but Deni Avdija is playing at an elite level and will create problems for Sacramento.
The Kings do have the better center, but Domantas Sabonis is one of the best centers in the league. Donovan Clingan will be outmatched tonight, but should still provide rebounds and points. Portland will do its damage from the outside, with great guards and forwards.
Portland has a great opportunity to win this match, their last two losses were against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. The wonderful part about this prediction is they have a +6.0 cushion, and the hook was dropped. Put a unit on them to cover in today’s NBA picks and remember to check out the Bet365 promotional offer at the end of this article.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/27
The last of our NBA best bets today will focus on a player that is returning from injury and instantly makes his team better.
Mavericks vs. Magic Prediction: Anthony Davis O8.5 Rebounds (-110 on Bet365)
The Orlando Magic host the Dallas Mavericks at the Kia Center and the Magic are -7.0 favorites. Dallas is limping to the finish line after a series of terrible executive moves accompanied by bad luck. As it stands they are tied for tenth, and only 0.5 games back from ninth. There is virtually no depth to their roster, and it is a juggling act to rotate players in and out of the lineup.
Anthony Davis made his return to NBA action three days ago against the Brooklyn Nets. In that game he played 27 minutes, scored 12 points, recorded 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. All of those numbers are below his average, but that is expected after missing multiple weeks due to an injury.
The Mavericks won that match by 19 points and that may have limited Davis’ minutes and statistics. As seven point underdogs, Davis’ presence will be needed for the Mavericks to have a chance to win. He also has an opportunity to display that he is an elite center in the NBA, against a smaller Orlando front court.
The Magic will start Wendell Carter who has been mentioned frequently in our NBA best bets, but Davis is on a different level. Even Paolo Banchero will have difficulty scoring and rebounding with Davis near the rim. The Magic are a good rebounding team, but they do not deal with a center like Davis in the Southeast Division.
Davis’ season average is 11.9 rebounds per game, and as long as he plays over 30 minutes, this should be an easy cover. Put a unit on Davis to get over 8.5 rebounds against Orlando at Bet365 right now.
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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.