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 Saturday, March 8th. 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 8th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 8th
Detroit Pistons at Golden State Warriors – 9:30 pm ET
I like the Pistons to give the Warriors a game tonight, but I grabbed +7.5 at -133 instead of +6.5 at -115. You generally have to pay 10 cents for a half-point in the NBA, so getting a full point for 18 and moving through a key number felt like it made sense. But overall, it’s just hard not to like what we have seen from Detroit lately. I know the team’s loss to Los Angeles the other night was disappointing, but the Pistons still have a net rating of +12.9 over the last 10 games. They’re 8-2 in that span. The Warriors have been similarly great, going 8-2 with a +11.4 net rating over the last 10 games. But the reality is that there’s not much that separates these teams right now, so getting anything more than 5.5 feels like an opportunity you have to take with Detroit.
The reason I really love this is the matchup between the Detroit defense and the Golden State offense. Over the last 10 games, the Pistons are tied for first in the NBA with a defensive rating of 107.1. They’re also holding opponents to just 33.8% from 3 in that span. Well, I have serious questions about this Warriors offense, and that hasn’t changed with this recent winning stretch. Outside of Steph Curry, I just don’t like the group of shot-makers and offensive creators that Golden State has. And I’d be surprised if JB Bickerstaff can’t put together a good defensive game plan here.
Detroit is actually 17-7-1 against the spread as a road underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. The Pistons are also 14-11 straight-up in those situations. They like playing away from home. They’re also 4-0 both SU and ATS when playing against a team that beat them at home earlier in the season. So, I’m going somewhat big on the 7.5, but I’m also playing some moneyline.
Bet: Pistons +7.5 (-133 – 1.5 units) & Pistons ML (+205 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 8th
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets – 7:00 pm ET
This season, the Pelicans are tied with the Jazz for the most 3-pointers allowed per game (14.7). With that in mind, this feels like a good game to back one of the Houston players to go Over a 3-point total, and it’s hard not to like Tari Eason to do it at plus-money odds. Eason’s total is just 1.5 for tonight, but the talented wing has made at least two 3s in four straight games — and five of his last six. Eason also happened to go 4 for 8 against this same New Orleans team on Thursday, so the Pelicans were daring him to shoot and he was happy to oblige. Well, this is another game in which Eason should flirt with 30 or so minutes, and I just don’t see any reason not to go back to him to have a decent shooting night. Realistically, at +114 odds, this is a good play as long as he just attempts five or so triples.
Bet: Eason Over 1.5 Made 3s (+114)
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: Raptors Alt +7.5 vs. Wizards & Celtics ML vs. Lakers (-158 – 2 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 285-292-3 (-7.95 units)
