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 Saturday, March 16. 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 16
2023 Record: 254-257-2 (-9.72 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – March 16
Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets – 5:00 pm ET
The Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell back, so they are once again a dangerous team. However, the Rockets are seventh in the league in defensive rating. This team can really defend and they should make things difficult on the Cleveland backcourt here. Houston is also just very tough to beat at home. The Rockets are 23-10 against the spread at home this season, and they’re also 8-0 ATS when hosting a team that beat them earlier in the year. That said, I like the revenge spot for Houston and I think this is a good matchup for this current Rockets team. With no Alperen Sengun, it’s helpful that Houston will be working against a Cleveland team that doesn’t have Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers should also be sloppier defensively as they work Mitchell back to his normal minutes. He played only 28 minutes last game. Will his knee hold up at 35?
Overall, I like Houston to come away with a cover here, but I’m also playing the moneyline. The Rockets have won six of their last seven games, and they have covered in seven of their last eight. They’re a confident group at the moment, and Jalen Green has been awesome lately.
Bet: Rockets +5 (-110 – 2 units) & Rockets ML (+164)
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers – 8:30 pm ET
It seems like Steph Curry will be returning for the Warriors tonight. With that in mind, it’s hard not to like Golden State on the moneyline. Curry is going to come in and give this team some much-needed juice. And Golden State has a math advantage that I find hard to ignore in this matchup. Golden State makes the second-most 3s per game in the league, as the team is drilling 14.8 per game. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is making only 11.6 triples per game. That’s a significant edge to the Warriors, if they don’t completely poop the bed from the behind the 3-point line. And it’s not like Los Angeles defends the perimeter all that well. So, Curry should make a big mark on this game, and I can see Klay Thompson getting hot as well.
Just consider keeping an eye on Draymond Green here. He’s questionable with a sore back. If he doesn’t play, you might want to pass. Golden State needs his defense and playmaking.
Bet: Warriors ML (+120 – 1.5 units)
New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings – 10:00 pm ET
The Knicks have looked like a different team whenever OG Anunoby has been in the lineup. So, Sacramento is likely getting a good version of New York here. However, I still like the Kings to go out and win this game. Sacramento has been in a nice groove lately, winning four of its last five games. Two of those wins came over the Lakers and another was an impressive beatdown of the Milwaukee Bucks. When the Kings are firing offensively, they’re just extremely hard to stop. So, this is going to be a tough matchup for the Knicks. Sacramento also likes to play at a very fast pace. New York wants this game to be slow. But with this being a home game for the Kings, you would think they’d find a way to impose their will on this game.
I also just trust De’Aaron Fox to hold his own in a matchup with Jalen Brunson. And the Knicks will have trouble winning if they don’t have a significant edge at point. This also feels like a game that Domantas Sabonis should dominate. On top of all of that, the Knicks aren’t nearly as good on the road as they are at home. And Sacramento is 19-12 in home games this year.
Bet: Kings ML (-156 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 16
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
Cam Thomas is averaging 27.0 points per game since the start of March. It’s a three-game stretch that includes a 31-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets and a 29-point outing against the Cavaliers. Thomas then had 21 points against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. But that’s an Orlando team that is fourth in the league in defensive rating and 26th in pace of play. So, it was actually somewhat impressive that Thomas even reached the 20-point mark. Tonight, the electric guard should go off against the Pacers. Indiana is 25th in the league in defensive rating and second in the league in pace of play. The Pacers want to play high-scoring games, and Thomas will do his best to oblige.
Indiana is also a lousy team when it comes to defending the mid-range area on the court. That’s part of the team’s defensive philosophy, as Rick Carlisle wants them to funnel shooters inside the 3-point line. But Thomas has a nice mid-range game and should take advantage.
Bet: Thomas Over 22.5 Points (-120 – 1.5 units) & Thomas Alt Points 25+ (+125 – 0.75 units)
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