Welcome to my daily column of NBA best bets! Here at VSiN we have a ton of NBA content daily, so make sure to keep tabs on Zach Cohen who is doing an excellent job handicapping the league on a daily basis.
NBA Betting Splits | NBA Odds | NBA Injury Reports
NBA Best Bets
Record: 114-113-3 | Units: -7.7 | ROI: -3.1%
There are no best bets at the current numbers. Information is key on a day like today, so keep your eye on the injury reports which are updated every hour.
Remaining Games
*Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers (-16.5, 208)
The betting market has moved in Cleveland’s direction, and now we’re looking at a number that is completely unbeatable at this point. Yes, the Cavaliers have plenty to play for, but that does not mean they need to lay this big of a number. This is also a team that is 9-19 ATS in its last 28 games with the worst spread differential in the league (-5.9) over that span. There is no question that this game is now Memphis or pass.
*Charlotte Hornets at *Atlanta Hawks (-12, 218.5)
Atlanta took a tough loss on the chin last night when it fell to Miami in double-overtime. The Hawks failed to cover in the contest as well. Now, they must host the Hornets with no room for error if they want to host the play-in game against the Bulls. The situation is horrendous for Atlanta, which is why we’ve seen a slight move toward Charlotte here. However, Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Trae Young could return as soon as tonight. Young could be on a minutes restriction, so monitor his status throughout the day.
*Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets (-10, 216.5)
Toronto rested Immanuel Quickley last night, and it is likely RJ Barrett sits tonight. The Raptors were competitive, but were also outscored 81-56 in the second and third quarters. This team is playing out the string, but are the Nets trustworthy enough to lay such a large number with? Brooklyn has the rest advantage, but waiting for a cheaper in-game number would be the way to go here if a bettor really wanted to back the favorite.
*Dallas Mavericks (-1.5, 219) at *Miami Heat
Neither Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving are listed on the initial injury report for Dallas. That does not mean they are guaranteed to play, but it is at least a good sign for the Mavericks. Dallas’ magic number to clinch the fifth seed is just one, so any victory or Pelicans loss will lock them in. The Mavericks also have a game against the Pistons left, which could be a better opportunity to grab a needed win. Miami is in a poor spot, coming off a double-overtime win over Atlanta. The situation is all over the place, but the status of Irving and Doncic will decide what to do with this contest.
*San Antonio Spurs at *Oklahoma City Thunder (-14.5, 226.5)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just returned from an extended absence due to injury. Does he play tonight against San Antonio? That is the question that needs to be answered before jumping into this contest. The Thunder have plenty to play for, as they are still alive for the top seed in the Western Conference, but this is still a big number for a team that is 5-16 ATS in its last 21 games.
*Orlando Magic at *Milwaukee Bucks (-1.5, 220.5)
Franz Wagner missed the loss to Houston last night with injury. His status will be paramount tonight in the biggest contest on the card. Orlando is two games behind Milwaukee for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but this is the first of two games the teams will play this week. Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with his calf injury suffered last night, but one would assume it is all hands on deck for the Bucks otherwise. This total has dropped significantly, with the thought that this game could take on a playoff pace. We also saw the line flip to the Magic which seems extreme. Milwaukee is in a bad spot, but if Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton play this team deserves to be favored on its home floor.
*Minnesota Timberwolves at *Denver Nuggets (-5.5, 213.5)
Minnesota holds the tiebreaker with Denver, but since both have the same record the Nuggets can still control their destiny with a win tonight. The same could be said for the Timberwolves, which is why this is such a fascinating contest. Denver sat Aaron Gordon last night, so it is likely he will be available tonight. Jamal Murray is also back, but he is on a minutes restriction and played only 27 minutes last night. Does that restriction carry over to tonight? The market has pushed this out to -6 and it could likely close with a hook once Gordon and Murray are announced as active. The big move has been on the total, which is down to 211 consensus. Much like Orlando and Milwaukee, this game could have a very slow pace considering what is on the line.
*Phoenix Suns (-1, 227.5) at *Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles clinched the Pacific division with its win over Phoenix last night. It is still not locked into the fourth seed, but should Dallas lose to Miami earlier in the day then the Clippers would have nothing to play for. This is why we have seen this line jump as high as it has, while the line for the Mavericks has moved toward the Heat. This one is all about monitoring the information. The team would likely love to get James Harden another night off in order to get him ready for the postseason.
