The NBA regular season resumes with a jam packed slate this Sunday, with a total of 9 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for of today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Sunday, March 2.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Sunday, March 2
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. |
Nuggets vs. Celtics
Nikola Jokic is a walking nightmare for Boston.
He's recorded over 49.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA) in three straight outings, all in efforts of 30 points or more.
The Celtics want to defend the three-point line and make a bunch of threes while limiting yours, which can mean a busy night for Jokic as both a scorer and playmaker.
Boston allows the 10th-fewest threes per 100 possessions, while allowing the third-most twos and the 12th most boards.
Jokic, in general, has also cleared this line in five of his last eight, and Kristaps Porzingis is listed as doubtful.
Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 49.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Trail Blazers vs. Cavaliers
By Joe Dellera
The Cavaliers face off against the Trail Blazers on Sunday afternoon and I’m targeting Evan Mobley.
Donovan Mitchell (rest) has been ruled out for today’s contest and Mobley tends to see an uptick on offense whenever that is the case.
His scoring jumps from 28.7 points per 100 to 35.7 with Mitchell off the floor. His assists per 100 also jump from 4.5 to nearly 7, according to pbpstats.
Without Mitchell, Mobley has exceeded this line in 3/3 games while averaging 29 Points + Assists (PA).
The Blazers are 21st in Adjusted Defense and the Cavaliers should have no difficulty scoring on them. I’ll back Mobley in this spot.
Pick: Evan Mobley Over 21.5 Points + Assists (-125)
Bulls vs. Pacers
Don't look now, but Josh Giddey is stringing together some of his best basketball of the season.
Giddey has averaged 23.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game on a 54/67/91 shooting split in his past five games.
Giddey has slaughtered this line (36+) in five consecutive outings.
With Nikola Vucevic set to miss some time, he should continue to have a substantial usage rate and success on the defensive glass.
Additionally, the Pacers rank second-to-last in offensive rebounding percentage this season, which will also help Giddey's cause; he will swoop in, completely uncontested, on any of Indy's misses.
The Pacers and Bulls also rank in the top six in the NBA in pace, meaning that there will be more offensive possessions and plenty of chances for Giddey to stuff the stat sheet, like he has been recently.
Pick: Josh Giddey Over 35.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Raptors vs. Magic
We're still on the lookout for an Orlando uptick, which has been hinted at in recent weeks, but put on hold in recent days with back-to-back losses at home to the Cavs and Warriors, who both hit the Kia Center very hot.
The Magic appeared to have Golden State on the ropes on Thursday night before Steph Curry exploded for 56 points, but encouraging for Orlando was their 51% FG shooting percentage and Paolo Banchero's best game since he returned from injury, pouring in 41 points.
Orlando also has some business to take care of here after blowing a 21-point lead north of the border on January 21, not long after Banchero returned to action but when Franz Wagner was still sidelined.
The Raptors are starting to look a bit tired too, losing back-to-back games on the road at Indiana and Chicago after pushing the Celtics last Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena. Play Magic.