The 2023-24 NBA season is in full swing and we’re tackling it hard at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Monday, March 25th. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on March 25
2023 Record: 276-288-2 (-14.98 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – March 25
Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 pm ET
It’s never easy betting against the Celtics with my NBA best bets, but this is Boston’s third game in four nights and fifth in eight days. This has been a classic fade spot all season, and the Celtics have guys missing tonight. Not only is Jrue Holiday out for Boston, but Derrick White is questionable. If the Celtics are without both, they’ll be in an extremely rough spot here. And this is just a heck of a lot of points for a borderline playoff team — especially at home. Atlanta has lost both of its games to Boston this year by fewer than 11 points. And I think the Hawks can avoid doing so again here.
Atlanta is actually coming off a great performance against the Charlotte Hornets, as the Hawks won by 41 points as 8-point favorites. It was a great way for Atlanta to bounce back from a rough five-game road trip. The Hawks are happy to be playing at home again, and I believe they’re catching the Celtics at the right time. Part of what makes Boston special is a backcourt that defends like hell on the perimeter. But the Celtics won’t have that duo in place tonight, and that should allow Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic to get going here.
Boston is also just 8-19 against the spread when facing teams with winning percentages of 40.0% to 49.0% under Joe Mazzulla. The Celtics can occasionally be guilty of sleepwalking against mediocre opponents. That could very well happen with two off-days on the horizon.
Bet: Hawks +11 (-110 – 2 units)
Philadelphia 76ers at Sacramento Kings – 10:00 pm ET
Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 pm ET
This card is filled with massive favorites, so I’m throwing in a rare moneyline parlay with tonight’s NBA best bets. It starts with the Kings needing to handle their business against the 76ers. The Sixers were able to beat the Clippers yesterday, but this is now their third game in four nights. So, this Philadelphia group will likely be a bit fatigued, and the same can’t be said about Sacramento. The Kings are playing the first night of a back-to-back tonight, but they had a day off yesterday and Friday. That should give them the fresh legs they need to run the Sixers off the court. Philadelphia has been miserable without Joel Embiid, and Sacramento needs to win in order to avoid the Play-In. That said, the Kings can’t afford to let this type of game slip away.
The Clippers will be a little harder to trust, as the Pacers are a feisty opponent. They simply wouldn’t go away in last night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. But that also means that Indiana used a lot of energy fighting to the final buzzer. Now, the Pacers have to go right back out and face a very good Clippers team. And Los Angeles is coming off a home loss to Philadelphia. The Clippers should come out with some real motivation and find a way to stop this recent skid. Teams are gaining on them in the standings. And Los Angeles is undoubtedly the better team here. The Clippers are right behind the Pacers in adjusted offensive rating, but they’re way better when it comes to defense. Los Angeles is also getting Russell Westbrook back tonight. That’s a much-needed infusion of energy.
PARLAY: Kings ML and Clippers ML (-120 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 25
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
Deni Avdija has had at least five assists in each of the last five games. A lot of that has to do with Tyus Jones going down. Avdija has essentially assumed the role of point guard for Washington. And his role is only bigger with Kyle Kuzma now out with an injured shoulder. Kuzma has one of the highest usage rates in the league in March. That will likely be passed on to Avdija, who is one of the best decision makers the Wizards have. Not only is Avdija averaging 5.0 assists per game over the last three games, but he’s also averaging 10.0 potential assists per game. So, he should be able to create some opportunities for his teammates here, even in a tough matchup.
This will just come down to whether or not Washington is making shots. Of course, there’s no guarantee with a team this bad. But it’s hard to pass up Avdija’s NBA player props odds when he’s looking to create this often.
Bet: Avdija Over 4.5 Assists (-106 – 1.5 units) & Avdija Alt Assists 6+ (+200 – 0.5 units)
UPDATE: Avdija was a late scratch with an illness.
Added Plays
Brooklyn Nets/Toronto Raptors Over 219 (-109 – 2 units)
Memphis Grizzlies +15.5 (-110 – 1.5 units) vs. Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz Team Total Over 113.5 (-128) vs. Dallas Mavericks
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Sacramento Kings Over 104 2H (-110)
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