Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, March 1.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Bucks ML (-145) vs. Bulls
Bucks at Bulls – 3:30 pm ET
Over the last 10 games, Milwaukee is 7-3 and has gotten some strong play from its backcourt. This Bucks team is fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, meaning there’s still something to play for when looking at this group. Meanwhile, the Bulls are on an 11-game losing streak, and their net rating of -17.0 over the course of the streak is abysmal. Today, Chicago will feel somewhat good about getting back in the win column, as an argument can be made that the Bulls will be the more talented team on the floor. However, that’s not saying much when looking at these two rosters — especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo still out. Plus, Milwaukee is the team with motivation, and the Bucks know how to play with one another. The Bulls are a group of guys that were thrown together at the deadline, and they know their front office isn’t expecting wins. That weighs on the mental of the collective. That said, I’ll hope the losing streak continues here.
Magic +5.5 (-108 – 1.5 units) & Magic ML (+200 – 0.5 units) vs. Pistons
Pistons at Magic – 6:00 pm ET
The Pistons will be without a suspended Isaiah Stewart again, taking away some toughness and overall depth this evening. That could make a big difference in the outcome of tonight’s game. While the Magic have been somewhat disappointing this season, they’re 6-4 in their last 10 games. They’re playing some strong defense again, and their offense looks a bit better with Franz Wagner on the sidelines. That has nothing to do with Wagner himself, but something doesn’t click when he and Paolo Banchero are out there together. Orlando always seems to play better when one of them is out. Well, tonight shouldn’t be too different. I’m expecting the Magic offense to look a little crisper, and I think this is a game they’ll have a chance to win. However, the bigger play is on Orlando to cover. Detroit is just 20-27-2 against the spread as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points under J.B. Bickerstaff. The Pistons are also at a rest disadvantage, with the Magic having had two days off before this one.
NBA Player Props Today
Nolan Traore Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-125) vs. Cavaliers
Cavaliers at Nets – 3:30 pm ET
Traore is averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game over the last 10 contests. He’s also playing 30.0 minutes per game, and his usage rate has really jumped. Brooklyn is really prioritizing the development of some of the young guys now, and Traore has shown that he could be a big part of this team’s future. Well, I like Traore to have another solid game on the stat sheet tonight. The Frenchman has been better than expected as a catch-and-shoot threat this year, and Cleveland is just 24th in the league defending those. I also think Traore’s speed will help him create for himself and his teammates against a weak Cavaliers defensive backcourt.
Donovan Clingan Over 1.5 Made 3s (+180 – 0.5 units) vs. Hawks
Trail Blazers at Hawks – 6:00 pm ET
Over the last 10 games, Clingan has been getting his shots up from deep. The talented second-year big man is attempting 4.0 triples per game since the start of the stretch, and he has also turned up that volume over the last five contests. It’s just clear that he’s pretty confident in the jumper right now, and that makes the Over on 1.5 made 3s a worthy sprinkle at +180. Clingan is going up against a Hawks team that is just average when it comes to defending catch-and-shoot jumpers, and he has knocked down at least two triples in seven of the last 10 games. These odds just feel a little off, so I’m willing to find out if they are.
DeMar DeRozan Over 4.5 First Quarter Points (+125) vs. Lakers
Kings at Lakers – 9:30 pm ET
DeRozan isn’t playing as many first-quarter minutes as he did earlier in the season, and he hasn’t been lighting it up in the opening 12 minutes recently. However, I do like the idea of backing DeRozan to get the better of a miserable Lakers defense, and I don’t trust that he’ll play much in the third and fourth quarters. So, the best way to take a flier on the veteran is by taking a shot on the first quarter. I just love that Los Angeles is the 27th-ranked defense in the league when it comes to guarding pull-ups and defending in isolation. DeRozan can cook the Lakers with his one-on-one scoring, and there could be transition opportunities as well. DeRozan also happened to have eight points in the first quarter the last time he had this matchup, so the plus-money odds are hard to turn down.
Additional Plays (Late Adds, Teasers, Parlays, Futures)
PARLAY: Spurs Alt +8.5 vs. Knicks & Nuggets Alt +7.5 vs. Timberwolves (-135 – 1.5 units)
2025-26 NBA Record: 361-347 (+4.65 units)
