We’re nearing the end of 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 Sunday, March 16th. 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 16th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 16th
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers – 3:30 pm ET
The Lakers are getting some bodies back today. Luka Doncic is probable to return from an ankle sprain, and it also looks like Jaxson Hayes will join him. However, Los Angeles remains without LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are also questionable for the Lakers. That said, the Lakers still aren’t in the greatest spot when it comes to the injury report. Meanwhile, the Suns will only be without Grayson Allen, who happens to play a position that Phoenix has good depth at. With that in mind, the Suns are the healthier team coming into this one, and I love the way things match up for Phoenix.
You’re not going to see a lot of national love for the Suns right now. They don’t deserve it. Phoenix is just 4-6 in its last 10 games, and the team needs to start rattling off some wins soon. However, the Suns are starting to turn things around. They’re actually third in the league in offensive rating over the last 10 games, and their 121.8 rating in that span is the same as the Cavaliers’ league-best offense this season. So, Phoenix is almost ignoring the defensive end and focusing on letting its talented stars go to work. That’s something that should work out moving forward. The Suns have lacked an identity all year long. Why not play lean into being an offensive juggernaut? The Nuggets have the seventh-best adjusted net rating in basketball despite being a top-five offense and a bottom-10 defense. That’s the blueprint for the Suns the rest of the way.
With all of that in mind, I like Phoenix to light up a Los Angeles defense that I believe is overachieving right now. One thing this current Suns group has struggled with is intense ball pressure at the point of attack. You’re not going to see that from the Lakers. Los Angeles is forcing fewer than 13.0 turnovers per game this year, and Phoenix is 9-4 straight-up when playing opponents that fall below that benchmark.
The Suns have also had a decent rest schedule over the last week or so, but this is the third game in four nights for the Lakers. And it’s an early one, which means even less rest.
Bet: Suns ML (+125 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 16th
Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:00 pm ET
Jaden McDaniels has gone Over his combined points, rebounds and assists prop in 12 of his last 15 games. He has also done it in six of his last seven. Our NBA Prop Bet Analyzer has been pointing me in his direction for weeks now, so make sure you check out that tool. It’s a must for NBA bettors. And tonight, I just don’t see any reason not to go back to McDaniels to fill up the score sheet. Since the start of March, McDaniels is averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, which is good for 26.4 combined points, rebounds and assists per game. Tonight, he gets a shot at a Utah team that is amongst the worst in basketball defensively. We actually just saw McDaniels have 20 points, 10 boards and five dimes against the Jazz on February 28th. He should be able to similarly light up the Jazz here. So, let’s just hope Minnesota doesn’t blow the doors off Utah. We need at least 30 minutes from McDaniels here.
Bet: McDaniels Over 22.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-125)
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: Nets Alt +12.5 vs. Hawks & Bucks Alt +10.5 vs. Thunder (+103 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 307-313-3 (-3.95 units)
