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 Tuesday, March 5. 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 5
2023 Record: 229-216-2 (+0.65 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – March 5
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 pm ET
The Magic are rapidly approaching the 40 wins I bet them to have before the year. They have been playing tremendous basketball when healthy this season. And they have really turned things up over the last few weeks. However, this is still a team that can struggle to score the basketball. So, this matchup might not be all that easy for the Magic. Over the last 10 games, the Hornets are fifth in the league in defensive rating. This has gone from a bad defensive team to an above-average one. So, Charlotte might be able to stifle Orlando a bit.
If the Magic aren’t scoring with ease, I just don’t see how they’ll win a road game by more than eight points. That said, I absolutely love the Hornets to cover. However, I also think Charlotte will have a chance to win this one outright. That’s why I’m sprinkling the moneyline with today’s NBA best bets. Somebody just needs to step up and help Brandon Miller. If that happens, an upset is on the table.
Bet: Hornets +8.5 (-110 – 2 units) & Hornets ML (+300 – 0.5 units)
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
I’m laying a little juice with the Knicks as one of my NBA best bets tonight, as I’d prefer not to get beat in the event they win a close game. But overall, I do like New York to get the job done against Atlanta, And I like the Knicks to do that with or without Jalen Brunson. It’d obviously be nice if the All-Star was out there for New York, but he did suffer a painful-looking injury last game. So, it might be unrealistic to expect him out there. But either way, we’re talking about a Knicks team that is 20-11 straight-up at home, while the Hawks are 11-18 SU on the road. The crowd at Madison Square Garden should give New York a huge edge tonight.
The Hawks are also playing this game without Trae Young, a noted Knicks killer in the past. Without him, it’s going to be difficult for Atlanta to come up with the offense required to beat New York. Meanwhile, the Knicks might be lacking in offensive firepower here, but they’ll be aided by the fact that the Hawks are dead last in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating. No matter who is out there for New York, there will be good looks to go around.
All in all, this is just a culture play for me. The Hawks have been a below-average team all year, and they can’t find any sort of consistency. Meanwhile, the Knicks know exactly who they are and can always be trusted to turn in a solid effort.
Bet: Knicks ML (-136 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 5
Indiana Pacers at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 pm ET
P.J. Washington has been somewhat inconsistent in his time with the Mavericks. However, he’s still averaging 11.6 points per game in 31.9 minutes per game with Dallas. He has also had three games with at least 14 points, so we know he can go Over 13.5 here. I just like this matchup with the Pacers, who give up less 3s per game than any team in the league. But the team does that at a significant cost. Indiana funnels players into the paint, where opponents are shooting 66.4% at the rim and high 40s in the mid-range area. With that in mind, Washington should be pretty effective as a roller in this game. He can also throw a shot fake or two to get himself some quality looks.
Washington struggled when the Mavericks faced the Pacers on February 25th, but I think he bounces back here. There just should be a lot of room for him to operate, and he could also get some good looks from deep. Indiana will want to keep Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving from hoisting a bunch of 3s, but the team could opt to leave Washington. If the Pacers do that, he’ll make them pay a few times. That’s why I’m going Over his point total with today’s NBA player props. I’m also playing an alternate for him to score at least 18.
Bet: Washington Over 13.5 Points (-105 – 1.5 units) & Washington Alt Points 18+ (+260 – 0.5 units)
Added Plays
PARLAY: Rockets ML vs. Spurs + Nuggets ML vs. Suns (-158 – 1.5 units)
I don’t normally play moneyline parlays, but I’m adding this one. The Spurs are going to get a ton of action tonight after beating the Pacers the other day. However, the Rockets are a good defensive team that also plays at a high level at home. I don’t necessarily trust them to cover a big spread, but I’d be surprised if they lose. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are hosting the Suns with this being Phoenix’s third game in four nights. The Suns will likely have some tired legs, which isn’t what you want when playing in one of the most difficult road environments in the sport. They’re also without Devin Booker right now.
Nets ML (-105 – 2 units) vs. Sixers
I ran to add this once Tyrese Maxey (concussion) was ruled out. I don’t really like being on Brooklyn, but Philadelphia is just incredibly shorthanded tonight. The Nets should be able to find a way.
Suns +9 (-110 – 1.5 units) vs. Nuggets
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