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 Thursday, March 20th. 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 20th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 20th
New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 pm ET
The Knicks are coming off a loss to the Spurs last night, and they’re now playing the Hornets tonight. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for New York, which also happens to be playing its third game in four nights. The Knicks also remain without Jalen Brunson, and I’m not sure you can rule out some other players sitting here. I know that’s not really Tom Thibodeau’s style, but I wouldn’t be surprised. However, even if everybody outside of Brunson is out there, I still like the Hornets to keep this close — and potentially win it.
While Charlotte isn’t the greatest team in the world, the group is 17-12-2 against the spread as a home underdog under Charles Lee. The Hornets are also 9-7-1 ATS when facing teams that outscore opponents by 3.0 or more points per game this season. The oddsmakers generally set big spreads when Charlotte faces solid competition, but this team plays up more often than it plays down.
I’m also just not sure I see the Knicks turning in a great defensive performance here. New York has looked solid defensively over the last 10 games, but LaMelo Ball isn’t a guy you want to see when you have tired legs. He’s going to push the tempo and look for every opportunity to pick out some teammates for easy buckets.
Bet: Hornets +7.5 (-108 – 1.5 units) & Hornets ML (+250 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 20th
Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors – 10:00 pm ET
Our NBA Prop Bet Analyzer shows that Draymond Green has gone Over his combined points, rebounds and assists (PRA) total in 11 of his last 15 starts. Since the start of March, Green is averaging 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, which is good for 24.1 points, rebounds and assists per game. Well, I like Green to go Over his total of 21.5 tonight.
It’s just hard to ignore how well Green is playing since the All-Star break, and this is a pretty strong matchup for him. Toronto isn’t awful defensively, ranking 18th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (114.5). However, the Raptors do play a lot of young players that can make mistakes off the ball. Green is the type of passer that can take advantage of that, so he should do a good job of racking up assists tonight. Green should also be able to make a mark on the offensive glass, as Toronto is just 24th in the NBA in defensive rebound rate (69.2%). That would help him put a dent in the rebounds he’ll need for tonight.
Of course, Green will also need to do some damage as a scorer here, and you never quite know what you’re getting from him there. But Green does take more 3s at home, as he’s attempting 4.1 per game at the Chase Center compared to 2.7 elsewhere. So, if he can knock down one or two, that will help him quite a bit.
Bet: Green Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
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.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 317-323-3 (-6.08 units)
