We’re more than halfway into the 2024-25 NBA season. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Monday, March 10th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on March 10th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 10th
Los Angeles Lakers at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 pm ET
The Lakers have been sensational since acquiring Luka Doncic, but they were dealt some bad news when they found out they’d be without LeBron James for the next couple of weeks. The 40-year-old superstar aggravated his groin against the Celtics, and it’s best that the team is cautious with him.
Los Angeles is now without LeBron, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jaxson Hayes for tonight. That’s four rotation pieces for a team that already lacks depth. On top of that, Doncic is questionable with a sore back and could miss this game. The Lakers have a rough schedule coming up, so it might be better to be safe with Doncic now.
Even if Doncic is out there, I’m not sure he has the help required to go into Brooklyn and beat the Nets by more than seven. This Brooklyn team has been competitive all season long, and the group is 9-6-1 against the spread in its last 16 games. Also, under Jordi Fernandez, the Nets are 4-3 straight-up and 6-1 ATS as home underdogs of 6 or fewer points, and this spread is 6 at a few shops. However, to be safer, we can work with a spread of 3.5 to 9.5, and Brooklyn is 12-9 ATS in those games.
Brooklyn also has a relatively clean injury report here. Cam Thomas will be out for the Nets. That obviously stinks considering the scoring punch he gives them. But everybody else will be out there, including Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton.
Bet: Nets +7 (-112 – 1.5 units) & Nets ML (+222 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 10th
Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 pm ET
Scottie Barnes had only 18 points and two rebounds against the Wizards on Saturday, but that was the second night of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old might have been feeling some fatigue after going for 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes the night before. That said, I’m fully expecting a bounce-back performance. Barnes had 24 points and four rebounds against this Washington team on January 29th, and it isn’t hard to envision a scenario in which he does even more against the Wizards tonight. This Washington team can struggle to defend opposing power forwards. Barnes had also averaged 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game in the two games he played before seeing Washington on Friday. That said, it’s fair to expect more of the same against a Wizards team that is 28th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (117.3) and fourth in pace of play (102.1). All year long, Washington has been a dream matchup for star players.
Bet: Barnes Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds (-112)
Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
Over the last 10 games, Devin Booker is averaging 15.5 potential assists and 10.2 adjusted assists per game. And even over the last four games, with Bradley Beal back in the mix, Booker is averaging 14.3 potential assists and 10.0 adjusted assists per game. Booker has simply been tremendous as an on-ball creator for Phoenix lately, and I don’t see that changing against Memphis. Booker has had a total of 19 assists in his last two meetings with the Grizzlies, who are just 21st in the NBA in defensive rating since the All-Star break. Memphis also plays at the fastest pace in the league. So, this is a game that should be extremely high in scoring, and Booker should benefit with his ability to attack downhill and set teammates up.
Bet: Booker Over 7.5 Assists (-105)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
PARLAY: Suns Alt Spread +10.5 vs. Grizzlies & Knicks Alt Spread +7.5 vs. Kings (-147 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 287-294-3 (-5.95 units)
