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 Saturday, March 22nd. 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 22nd
NBA Best Bets Today – March 22nd
Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 pm ET
Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings – 10:00 pm ET
I haven’t had much trouble finding NBA plays throughout the NCAA Tournament, but this slate is definitely testing me. With that in mind, I’m going to a two-team parlay with some alternate spreads. I have been doing this all season long, but I usually drop these in my the “Additional Plays” section below. The reality is that I understand this isn’t the type of play people are looking for. However, I have had some success with them this season. I generally reserve them for instances in which I want to follow sharp money, but I’m not able to get there with smaller lines. Well, Atlanta and Sacramento both look like the right sides here, but I want some extra cushion.
I know the Warriors have been scorching hot lately, but the Hawks have won five of their last seven and have just played some good basketball on both ends of the floor since the trade deadline. Some good talent definitely went out the door for Atlanta, but Onyeka Okongwu hade made a massive leap at the center position. And the Hawks did get some role players that can help Trae Young, with Georges Niang, Terance Mann and Cavis LeVert all being proven in this league. But the real reason to like Atlanta is that the team is coming off three full days of rest. The Hawks should have a huge advantage in the energy department, and that makes it hard to envision the Warriors winning this comfortably. Golden State is also a team that relies more on scrapping out wins, not blowing teams out.
As for the Sacramento leg, this is really more of a fade on Milwaukee. The Bucks have been so bad that I was much closer to taking the Kings at their normal line than I was with the Hawks. Milwaukee has reached the point in the season in which we’re seeing coaches meeting with players to hash things out. That’s never where you want to be. The Bucks will also be without Damian Lillard tonight, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable. Maybe the Greek Freak will end up playing, but I’m not sure that will be enough for Milwaukee to beat a Sacramento team that is 18-16 with a +2.3 net rating at home. The Bucks are 15-18 with a -1.9 net rating on the road. Also, with no Lillard, it’s going to be hard for Milwaukee to match the firepower of Sacramento’s explosive group of guards.
PARLAY: Hawks Alt +7.5 & Kings Alt +7.5 (-118 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 22nd
Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 pm ET
I continue to lean heavily on our NBA Prop Bet Analyzer, sorting by players that have recently been going Over their numbers and then doing some of my own digging to see if I like the matchup. Well, today’s trends/eye test match is an Over on Tre Jones’ combined points, rebounds and assists (PRA) total. Jones has gone Over his total in eight of his nine starts with Chicago, and he’s averaging 14.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game since the start of March. Jones has just been a very sturdy presence in the Bulls starting lineup, providing some additional playmaking, decent 3-point shooting and an ability to attack when things break down. He has also been rebounding extremely well for a small guard. Of course, tonight’s matchup with the Lakers isn’t perfect. Los Angeles has been awesome defensively lately. But if Jones sheds his questionable tag and plays, he’s going to get big minutes and have chances to make plays. So, with a low total like this one, it’s worth going Over. Also, since he is legitimately questionable with a foot injury, it’s worth noting that your bet will be voided if he’s inactive. So, there’s no harm in him deciding to sit.
Bet: Jones Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
UPDATE: Jones was ruled out with that foot injury. I won’t be adding any props for tonight. I’ll stick to the teaser, watch some college basketball and come back ready to attack tomorrow’s slate.
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: 324-324-3 (+1.97 units)
