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 Sunday, March 3. 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 3
2023 Record: 224-205-2 (+6.62 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – March 3
Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves – 3:30 pm ET
The Timberwolves are mostly an Under team, as they’re elite defensively and mediocre offensively. However, the Over is 35-21 when the Clippers have played road games against winning teams over the last three seasons. And those games had an average total points scored of 231.0 points per game. Los Angeles certainly has the ability to play defensive-minded games, but this is more of an offensive-minded group. And I would be surprised if the Clippers don’t suck the Timberwolves into playing a little faster than usual. The Clippers have also gone Over this specific total in six of their last seven games. That said, this number feels a little low. The Timberwolves have also gotten themselves involved in back-to-back Overs coming into this. So, I’m hoping for a higher scoring game than expected here.
Bet: Over 219.5 (-110 – 2 units)
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic – 6:00 pm ET
It’s not fun rooting for the Pistons, but this team continues to compete. Detroit has covered in three of its last four, and the team also fought hard in a no-cover against the Cleveland Cavaliers last game. At this point in the season, playing hard is half the battle. Of course, the Magic have been excellent lately and the team comes into this one on two full days of rest. But Detroit covered as an 8-point underdog against Orlando on February 24th. And overall, the fact that the Magic are so defense oriented makes it hard to buy into them covering double digits. We just haven’t seen enough efficiency or explosiveness from this offense to expect that. I also like that the Pistons have some big bodies to throw on Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. As long as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey show up, this should be a battle.
Bet: Pistons +11 (-110 – 2 units)
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors – 6:00 pm ET
Since February 5th, the Hornets are 8-3-1 against the spread in 12 games. They’re playing some very competitive basketball, and they have even turned things up a little over the last nine games. In that span, they’re fifth in the league in defensive rating. That’s pretty impressive considering they suffered a blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27th. With Charlotte actually defending at a high level, I like the team’s chances of hanging around in Toronto. The Raptors have lost two consecutive games coming into this one, and neither one was particularly close. This is also a team that doesn’t defend very well, so they should bail the Hornets out for being below-average offensively. And it helps that Scottie Barnes is out. Overall, I don’t love playing road teams against the Raptors, but this is too many points. So, I’m firing it up as an NBA best bet.
Bet: Hornets +7.5 (-115 – 2 units) & Hornets ML (+240 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 3
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks – 1:00 pm ET
Kyrie Irving hasn’t had at least five assists in a game since before the All-Star break. However, it’s not like he isn’t looking to set his teammates up at all. This season, the Mavericks superstar is averaging 9.3 potential assists per game. Now, Irving and the Mavericks face the Sixers in a game with one of the highest totals on the board today. That said, this should be an up-and-down affair. That means Irving should have a few more opportunities to create plays. It’s not easy for him taking a backseat to Luka Doncic, but these are the games in which both can cook. So, I’m playing Irving to go Over his assist prop at plus-money odds. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has seven or eight dimes here. He had eight against Philadelphia on February 5th.
Bet: Irving Over 4.5 Assists (+124 – 1.5 units)
Added Plays
Warriors +8 (-110) vs. Celtics
Spurs +7 (-122 – 2 units) vs. Pacers
Spurs ML (+220 – 0.5 units) vs. Pacers
Suns +6 (-110 – 2 units) vs. Thunder
Suns ML (+200 – 0.5 units) vs. Thunder
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