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

The Boston Celtics won against the Denver Nuggets, and Nikola Jokic rolled his ankle on the jump ball. He played through it, but it was visibly affecting his performance, and the Nuggets could not cover the teased-up spread in part due to it. However, both player props were successful yesterday, and Meatloaf was served for NBA best bets once again!
Anthony Edwards had a monster third quarter and made five three-point field goals in the second half, easily covering his proposition. Even though he just cleared the hook, there was never a question about Wendell Carter delivering. Both NBA predictions cashed in a little under a unit in profit yesterday. Brick by brick and pick by pick will get us to our betting goal, because ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/3
Our NBA best bets today focus on what made us successful yesterday, player propositions. There are three today and two have plus odds, including the Bet of The Night.
Kings vs. Mavericks Prediction: Zach LaVine 7+ Rebounds (+260 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT
We are starting our NBA best bets today with some fire! +260 odds on a slightly teased up proposition line. Zach LaVine’s rebounding line is set at 4.5, but the over is heavily juiced, currently -145 on BET365. Instead of taking the offered line, a teased-up line is recommended.
Fantasy Alarm has been taking rebounding angles against the Dallas Mavericks by attacking their injured front court. Today is no different but we are using a Sacramento Kings guard and teasing up the line. Domantas Sabonis is out with an injury, and that leaves a massive void. As in the best rebounder in the Association big, 14.1 rebounds are now available.
LaVine has not recorded seven or more rebounds often this season but did two games ago against the Utah Jazz. The highest projected Kings rebounding total is currently 6.5, but Jonas Valanciunas was not listed. Valanciunas is an excellent rebounder and earned 14 rebounds in thirty minutes against the Houston Rockets in the departure of Sabonis.
The Mavericks will be without Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Caleb Martin, and P.J. Washington. All of which are in the front court, but LaVine is 6’ 5’, and will be matched up against Kyrie Irving and Max Christie. He should attack the glass and be able to earn more than his average of 4.0 rebounds per game.
LaVine is averaging 36.1 minutes per game, and the Mavericks have allowed an average of 53.5 rebounds per game this season. That is seventh most in the Association, and they have allowed an average of 62.0 rebounds per game over their last three matches. LaVine has averaged 7.0 rebounds over his last two games, and the trend is for that to continue without Sabonis.
Put a unit on the teased-up line, and if you are a new customer to Bet365 make sure to take advantage of the promotional code mentioned at the end of this article.
Pistons vs. Jazz Prediction: Malik Beasley O16.5 Points (-120 on DraftKings)
The Detroit Pistons have won nine of their last ten games, and 17 of their 34 wins have come on the road. They are -9.0-point favorites on the road against the Utah Jazz, and Malik Beasley has an opportunity to continue his high scoring streak. Beasley has 16 or more points in three straight games, and five of his last six matches.
Beasley comes off the bench for the Pistons but averages 27.1 minutes per game this season. He has also attempted eight or more three-point field goals in each of his last five matches. He is brought in off the bench for offensive production, and the offense is set up for him to have open three-point attempts. Beasley has a 4.5 line for threes made, but he has made points inside the arc in his last three matches. That is why the points are suggested over his threes.
The Utah Jazz allow 119.3 points per game, and with Tobias Harris out for Detroit, Beasley could be depended on for more offensive production. The Pistons are only 1.0 games back from fourth in the Eastern Conference and can climb the rankings with a win over the worst team in the Western Conference. Beasley has scored 17 or more points in six of his last ten matches and should do it against a team that is tanking for a high draft pick. Put a unit on Beasley to cover the point proposition.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/03
The third player prop in our NBA best bets today is a familiar face over the past week, and we are not the only ones taking notice of the big man.
Warriors vs. Hornets Prediction: Mark Williams O11.5 Rebounds (+105 on DraftKings)
Mark Williams has been playing great since returning back to the Charlotte Hornets. He has 12 or more rebounds in each of the Hornet’s last three matches, and the sportsbooks have moved his rebounding line from 9.5, to 10.5, and now 11.5. For good reason too, Williams is playing well.
Jusuf Nurkic is not listed on the injured report and could play useful minutes as Williams back up tonight. Williams has averaged 30 minutes per game over his last three matches, and even with a slight dip in minutes he can cover this prop. The visiting Golden State Warriors are almost as awful as the Mavericks at rebounding. They have allowed 54.3 rebounds per game over their last three matches and will be without Jonathan Kuminga for at least one more match.
The highlight will be on three Currys; Stephen with the Warriors, Seth with the Hornets, and Del as the announcer for the Hornets. However, Fantasy Alarm is going with their guy who has delivered. Williams recorded 12 rebounds in 25 minutes against Golden State on February 25th, and the expectation is for him to do it again tonight. Put a unit on him to extend his games with 12 or more rebounds.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Dorian Finney-Smith shot 6-of-9 from the field in Friday’s win over the Rockets, scoring 18 points with three steals and six three-pointers in 30 minutes.
Friday’s victory secured the three-seed in the West for the Lakers, which would mean a second-round matchup with Houston if both teams got out of the first round. For that reason, Finney-Smith’s last two performances against the Rockets were notable. After shooting 6-of-11 from three in the Lakers’ March 31 win over Houston, he was 6-of-8 on Friday. From a fantasy standpoint, Finney-Smith provided the three-pointers and steals on Friday that many managers expect from him. We’ll see if he plays against Portland on Sunday, as nothing will be on the line for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves tallied 23 points (9-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and three three-pointers in 33 minutes in Friday’s win over the Rockets.
Luka Doncic recorded 39 points (13-of-19 FGs, 8-of-14 FTs), eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and five three-pointers in 31 minutes in Friday’s win over the Rockets.
Reed Sheppard amassed 14 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers in 41 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Lakers.
Cam Whitmore shot 13-of-19 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Friday’s loss to the Lakers, scoring 34 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and seven three-pointers in 37 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Lakers.
LeBron James (leg) finished Friday’s win over the Rockets with 14 points (6-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 22 minutes.
James suffered an apparent left leg injury during the third quarter of Friday’s game, exiting with 7:27 remaining. He did not return, with some wondering if the 40-year-old tweaked the groin injury that sidelined him for seven games in mid-March. However, the heating pad applied to James’ leg appeared to be on his quad. Following the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick said Friday’s victory secured the three-seed in the West, so there’s no reason for James to play in Sunday’s game against the Trail Blazers. Expect plenty of Dalton Knecht after the rookie only logged four minutes against the Rockets.