NBA Betting Preview For Tuesday, 3/1

Monday night was a fantastic start to the NBA betting week if you rode along with us, as we went a healthy 6-1 to get the ball rolling. The only game that tripped us up was the Rockets/Bucks contest, which started with a -1 line anyways and ended up totaling an insane 249 points. I think you were fine if you shot for the Over.

Tuesday night promises to be just as fun, as we have a solid six-game slate and two games that have the potential to be real barn-burners. The rest are for the most part self explantory, but if you need some extra help finalizing your bets, we’ve got you covered regardless:

Suns @ Hornets

Line: Hornets -13 Total: 205.5

Phoenix is a hot mess right now, as they have an inexperienced coach in Earl Watson running the show and very little reliable talent to lean on. The Suns did (somehow) finally get a win, but they’re just 1-9 in their last 10 and for a second there had lost 13 games in a row. It’s extremely unlikely they suddenly put together a winning streak, especially on the road against a solid Hornets team. Charlotte is battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and is pretty strong (19-9) on their home court. The Hornets get quite the line here, as they should. This one is probably headed for blowout central, so we’re rolling with the Hornets all day to cover. The Suns give up 107 points per game, but chasing the Over is risky here, as the Hornets play decent defense and Phoenix has so few quality offensive weapons.

Pick: Hornets 108, Suns 92

Blazers @ Knicks

Line: Blazers -5.5 Total: 208

Portland does not look like a team that would be scary, but they’re a top-three performer since the All-Star break and have really been a tough out since January. Damian Lillard is a huge reason why, as he’s scored 30+ points in six of his last seven games, while the Blazers have been a formidable 8-2 through their last 10 games. Their schedule hasn’t been brutal or anything, but they’re taking care of business and showing they’re not a pushover by any means. Portland is not good on the road (13-16), so even with their hot run there is certainly cause for pause tonight. Unfortunately the Knicks are falling apart (2-8 over last 10 games) and are just average (15-16) at the Madison Square Garden. I can’t pick the Knicks merely because this game is at MSG. Carmelo Anthony could also be somewhat limited with the feisty Al-Farouq Aminu draping him, too. I like Portland to cover, but given their suspect defense I think the Knicks hang in and can get the Over on the Total.

Pick: Blazers 106, Knicks 104

Bulls @ Heat (n/a)

The line was not out at the time of this writing because Derrick Rose is questionable to play and both of these teams seem to always be banged up. Miami is oddly the healthier team of the two, however, and is also at home, where they’re a decent 18-12 this season. If Jimmy Butler were back I’d give the Bulls a real shot here, but they’ve been sliding for a while now (3-7 in last 10 contests) and are pretty weak on the road (11-17). The injuries haven’t helped, while Miami has kept things together (6-4 over last 10 games) and even got stronger recently by adding Joe Johnson. I like the Heat straight up tonight, but I’m thinking more toward the Under on the Total, as Miami is a slow team and plays good defense. With Chicago’s offense obliterated by injuries, I doubt they come out and drop 100+ in this one, while the previous meeting (a Miami win) was pretty low-scoring (89-84). I’ll give this one some more points, but still having both teams below 100.

Pick: Heat 97, Bulls 94

Magic @ Mavs

Line: Mavs -5 Total: 214

The last time the Mavs and Magic square off we got some, well, Magic. The two combined for an explosive 110-104 overtime thriller, with Orlando prevailing back on February 19th at the Amway Center. The season series shifts to Dallas, though, where the wryly Mavs are a solid 18-12. Orlando’s poor 10-17 road record plays into the likely outcome here and betting on a second OT game is reaching, but this one should be a fun, fast-paced game. Both teams sport solid offensive ability, as Orlando can hit inside and out with Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo, and the same goes for the Mavs, who balance their scoring out between Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki. I like the Mavs by a hair here, but Orlando plays superior teams quite well. I’ll take the Magic to beat the spread, while the Total is worth chasing on the Over.

Pick: Mavs 109, Magic 107

Hawks @ Warriors (n/a)

This is another game with no line yet, as reigning league MVP Stephen Curry is questionable to play due to an ankle injury. Curry briefly left his last game with the ailment, but returned to drop 12 treys in a win over the Thunder. He could be tired and sore following that insane effort, while the Warriors wouldn’t be silly to rest their best player at home. That’s especially the case when you look at Golden State at the Oracle Arena this year (24-0). I like the Warriors either way, but if Curry plays I’d take the Over on the Total and very likely any line the oddsmakers put out.

Pick: Warriors 111, Hawks 106

Nets @ Lakers

Line: Lakers -1.5 Total: 210.5

The Lakers enter tonight’s showdown with the Nets as losers of eight straight, while Brooklyn just had a minor two-game winning streak snapped last night against the Clippers. This is a weird two-night stand at the Staples Center for Brooklyn, who will likely be pretty tired and will continue their road journey despite winning just six times away from the Barclays Center all year. Los Angeles hasn’t fared much better (six wins at home) but they did take down the Nets in the only other meeting this year. Kobe Bryant could suit up tonight, but either way it feels like L.A.’s skid is due to end against a pretty beatable opponent.

Imagine that; the Lakers are favored and they might actually win. If you don’t feel comfortable with picking the Lakers, no one can blame you. There will be absolutely no defense in this game, however, so shooting for the Over on the Total isn’t crazy at all.

Pick: Lakers 112, Nets 106