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 Wednesday, March 6. 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 6
2023 Record: 233-220-2 (-0.84 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – March 6
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
I haven’t had much success fading the Magic lately, but this feels like another spot to try it. Orlando is on the second night of a back-to-back, while Washington is returning home after a three-game road trip. The Wizards should be excited about playing in comfortable surroundings. They also had a day off yesterday, so they should have more energy than the opponent here.
The Magic also might not have the ability to take advantage of the Wizards’ porous defense in the way other teams can. Orlando is scorching hot offensively coming into this game, with four straight performances shooting over 50.0% from the floor. But this all feels relatively unsustainable for a Magic team that is just 23rd in the league in adjusted offensive rating. At some point, Orlando is going to need to come down to earth. Don’t be surprised if it’s on the second night of a road back-to-back, especially considering this is also the team’s third game in four nights. These bad scheduling spots have gotten to everybody this year.
Overall, I’m not playing the Wizards to win this one outright, as I don’t have full trust in a team on a 15-game losing streak. But I’m comfortable taking them to cover a big spread at home.
Bet: Wizards +8 (-110 – 2 units)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 pm ET
I don’t love that the Hawks are playing on back-to-back days, but the Cavaliers are doing the same and are also playing their third game in four nights. On top of that, Cleveland is coming off an emotional 105-104 win over an elite Boston Celtics team. That makes this a prime letdown spot for the road team, which happens to be without Donovan Mitchell. We just watched the Hawks smother a New York Knicks team that was playing without Jalen Brunson. New York scored only 100 points and shot 38.4% from the field in that game. So, Atlanta should be able to keep Cleveland in check without its best player.
The Cavaliers also happen to be just 29-65 straight-up as road underdogs under JB Bickerstaff. They’re also 0-3 when playing nine or more games in 14 days, so this is a team that could really be begging for rest. That makes it hard not to love the Hawks, who are 18-12 SU when playing as home favorites this season.
Bet: Hawks ML (-125 – 1.5 units)
Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz – 9:00 pm ET
The Jazz will be shorthanded against the Bulls tonight, with Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks all out. Keyonte George is also listed as questionable for Utah. However, it still feels like the Jazz are being a little disrespected by the oddsmakers here. Utah just earned a 12-point home win over Washington on Monday, and the team covered on the road against the Miami Heat the game before that. This Jazz team is still capable of playing competitive basketball, and the group is also 19-11 SU and 20-9 ATS when playing at home. Salt Lake City is one of the toughest places to play, and the reality is that the Bulls aren’t all that good. They’re also just 13-17 SU on the road.
The Jazz also happen to have players that are capable of stepping up with Markkanen out. They’ll just lean a little more on Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, who combined to score 67 points against Washington last game. And John Collins is fully capable of turning in a big performance against this weak Chicago frontcourt.
I just think this line should be closer to a PK, so I’m taking the points with one of tonight’s NBA best bets. I’m also playing the moneyline. It doesn’t hurt that this is the front end of a Bulls back-to-back with the Golden State Warriors. They might not take this one as seriously as they should.
Bet: Jazz +4 (-110 – 2 units) & Jazz ML (+152)
NBA Player Props Today – March 6
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 pm ET
D’Angelo Russell has been in a serious groove for Los Angeles. The 28-year-old is coming off a 26-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has now had at least 20 points in four of his last six games. He’s also coming off a February in which he averaged 20.2 points per game on 43.8%/41.8%/82.4% shooting splits. On top of that, Russell has a massive role on this Lakers team, and he’s consistently playing around 35 minutes. As long as that continues, big games should follow. And I think he’ll have one tonight.
Russell is about to get a crack at a Kings defense that is just 20th in the league in adjusted defensive rating. Sacramento does not defend the perimeter very well, and that’s especially true of the 3-point line. Opponents are shooting a league-high 39.6% from 3 against the Kings. That’s part of the reason that Russell is averaging 22.5 points per game against them this season. And in one of the two games, the smooth southpaw had 28 points.
I just don’t see any reason to believe Russell won’t get hot again here. On top of this being a great matchup, it’s also a home game for the Lakers. Russell loves playing in this building. That said, I’m playing a ladder on Russell’s scoring totals with tonight’s NBA player props. His confidence is through the roof.
Bet: Russell Over 17.5 Points (-120) & Russell Alt Points 20+ (+135 – 0.5 units) & Russell Alt Points 25+ (+375 – 0.25 units)
Added Plays
Golden State Warriors ML (-150 – 1.5 units) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
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