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 9. 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 9
2023 Record: 242-230-2 (+5.51 units)
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NBA Best Bets Today – March 9
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns – 8:30 pm ET
There’s a slight chance Devin Booker is out there for the Suns tonight. The superstar is listed as questionable for Phoenix, which checks out considering he’s doing a lot of intense individual drills in practice. If Booker is out there, you’ll be really happy getting 5.5 or 6 with Phoenix. If not, the Suns still have a good shot at covering this big number. There’s no denying that the Celtics are an incredible team, but fatigue might catch up to them. This is the third game of a road trip for Boston. And the first two games were physical and emotional. Now, the Celtics have to try and get up for a Suns team that is suddenly playing some very good basketball.
Phoenix is coming off back-to-back wins, with one being a road win over the Denver Nuggets. The Suns, who will always be dangerous offensively, are getting better and better defensively. February was their best month of the season as far as defensive rating goes, and March is on pace to top it. That said, this team is rounding into form right now. And Phoenix needs this game more than Boston does. The Celtics are alone at the top of the Eastern Conference, but the Suns are fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament. So, they know they need to bring the energy at home.
I also like that Phoenix has some defensive options for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The Suns can stick Kevin Durant and Royce O’Neale on them. Those two Phoenix wings will make the two Boston stars work, at the very least.
Overall, there’s just a lot to like about the odds for the Suns tonight. So, I’m firing them up as an NBA best bet.
Bet: Suns +6 (-112 – 2 units) & Suns ML (+190)
Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 pm ET
It’d be nice if these teams had more reliable scoring options. However, it’s still hard not to like the Over in a meeting between two teams that can’t defend. The Raptors have given up at least 120 points in eight of their last 10 games, and the Blazers have allowed that in back-to-back contests. I just don’t see much preventing these offenses from getting good looks regularly here. Not only is Toronto 23rd in defensive rating over the last 10 games, but the team is also first in pace of play. The Raptors are actively looking to get themselves involved in high-scoring games, and I think they’ll get what they’re asking for here.
Bet: Over 226.5 (-112)
NBA Player Props Today – March 9
Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 pm ET
Dorian Finney-Smith is playing a lot of minutes as a small-ball power forward for Brooklyn. So, he occasionally needs to step up and do some dirty work. Well, Brooklyn is facing a Charlotte team that struggles to rebound the basketball tonight. The Hornets have the lowest rebound rate in the league over the last 10 games. And the eye test backs that up, with Charlotte going small a little more often since the trade deadline. With that in mind, I’d be surprised if Finney-Smith doesn’t have at least six rebounds tonight. That’s why I’m playing that with tonight’s NBA player props. But I’m also throwing a little something on him to have at least eight. Finney-Smith has hit that mark in three of his last eight games, so it’s a pretty reasonable number.
Bet: Finney-Smith Over 5.5 Rebounds (-122) & Finnen-Smith Alt Rebounds 8+ (+230 – 0.5 units)
Added Plays
Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-114) vs. Los Angeles Clippers
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