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 Tuesday, March 25th. 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 25th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 25th
Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat – 7:30 pm ET
Jimmy Butler is returning to Miami to face the Heat tonight. This is going to be a fun game for everybody that loves drama, as we’re going to see a hostile crowd and a fired-up Butler. Will the Heat be able to match the intensity? I believe they will.
Miami had lost 10 games in a row before earning a 122-105 win over Charlotte on Sunday, but the team has played much better basketball over the last three games. The Heat had a real shot at beating the Pistons on March 19th, but that game ended with a Cade Cunningham game-winning 3. Then, the Heat went to Houston and put up a fight in a four-point loss to the Rockets. Over the last three games, Miami has an offensive rating of 115.2 and a defensive rating of 111.0. Both numbers would be good for Top 10 in the league over the course of the season. So, it appears Erik Spoelstra has found a little something.
I understand the Warriors have been very good since acquiring Butler, but this not a team that can be expected to go out and win by margin on the road. Golden State is just 17th in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating (113.7), and Miami is 12th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (112.8). The Heat simply should be able to contain the Warriors. The question then becomes whether or not Miami can score enough to win. Hopefully Duncan Robinson sheds his questionable tag and plays, as the Heat can use his ability to knock down triples. But Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins will all be out there tonight, and the team has some other players that can step up and knock down shots. The Warriors are also just 8-10 against the spread as road favorites this year, and they’re also 4-8 ATS overall in March.
With all of that in mind, I’m playing the Heat +5.5 and also sprinkling the moneyline. I know there’s going to be a lot of talk about this being a “Butler revenge game,” but Miami is the team that should be looking for revenge. He completely derailed the early portion of this season. The Heat can also use some wins over the next 10 games. It’s not impossible to think that they can catch the eight-seeded Magic in the standings, but they’d at least like to host the 9 vs. 10 Play-In Tournament game.
Bet: Heat +5.5 (-107 – 1.5 units) & Miami ML (+190)
Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz – 9:00 pm ET
Lauri Markkanen is out for the Jazz tonight, but it looks like Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler will be joining the kids. That’s enough for me to take Utah as a double-digit home underdog against a skidding Memphis team. It’d be one thing if Ja Morant was healthy, but the star guard is sitting with a hamstring injury. That means that the best offensive creator is missing for a Grizzlies squad that has lost four of its last five and failed to cover in seven of its last eight.
This Memphis team is just lost at the moment. Taylor Jenkins’ group is 6-16-1 ATS in the second half of the season. The only thing working in the Grizzlies’ favor is that they’re coming off three full days of rest. That should help Jenkins put together a plan of attack without Morant and Brandon Clarke, who is out for the season with a knee injury. But Utah is a feisty team that sits at 11-8 ATS as a home underdog of 6.5 to 12 points this season. The Jazz are also 4-1 ATS when coming off a home blowout of 20 or more points this season. They might be tanking, but they have some pride!
Bet: Jazz +10.5 (-110 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 25th
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons – 7:00 pm ET
According to our VSiN NBA Prop Bet Analyzer, Devin Vassell has gone Over his PRA total in 11 of his last 14 starts. The San Antonio wing is benefitting from seeing big minutes without De’Aaron Fox or Victor Wembanyama out there to cut into his usage. Since the start of March, Vassell is averaging 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Vassell also comes into this one after having 20 points, seven assists and five boards in a win over the 76ers on Friday. He followed it up with 25 points, six boards and three dimes. So, while the Pistons are a tough matchup, I think it’s worth going back to Vassell to put up some big numbers. While Detroit has the best defensive rating in basketball over the last 15 games, somebody is going to produce for San Antonio. Why not go to the player with the most skill offensively?
Bet: Vassell Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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: 328-326-3 (+6.38 units)
