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 Sunday, March 9th. 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 9th
NBA Best Bets Today – March 9th
Utah Jazz at Philadelphia 76ers – 7:30 pm ET
The injury report for this game is completely absurd. The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, John Collins, Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson this evening, while the Sixers will be playing without Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Of course, all of these absences make it hard to get a clear picture for how this game is going to play out. But you know what? While Utah has been one of the worst teams in basketball this season, the team is also 34-29 against the spread and has been a competitive group all season long. And no matter who is on the floor for the Jazz, Will Hardy has proven that he can get them to play hard. With that in mind, I’m taking Utah to cover a 7-point spread against a Philadelphia team that has been nothing but dysfunctional all season. I’m also taking the Jazz to win this game outright.
While both teams will be missing firepower in this game, I actually like what Utah has in the backcourt a little more. Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier should be able to give Philadelphia some problems, and I even like Kyle Filipowski to have a big game. For the Sixers, a lot will be put on the shoulders of Quentin Grimes, and I’m just not sure how you can expect this team to win by a wide margin given the circumstances.
Bet: Jazz +7 (-127 – 1.5 units) & Jazz ML (+205 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – March 9th
Detroit Pistons at Portland Trail Blazers – 9:00 pm ET
Donovan Clingan was played off the floor against the Celtics on Wednesday, but he bounced back and had eight points and 12 rebounds in 22 minutes against the Thunder on Friday. And I like the rookie to continue to make an impact for the Blazers, so I’m actually taking a shot on him to record a double-double tonight. Clingan doesn’t always flirt with 30 minutes, as he is prone to getting in foul trouble and Portland sometimes prefers different center options against floor-spacing bigs. But the Pistons play a traditional big man in Jalen Duren, and he happens to be one that hits the glass hard. That said, the Blazers will likely need Clingan to play more tonight — especially with Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III still out. So, this price seems like a good one for Clingan, who should work very hard in his matchup with Duren on the boards. And offensively, we’ll just be hoping for some lobs and putbacks. That’s not the greatest feeling in the world, but Clingan has had double digits in two of his last five games, and he could benefit from Duren being a player that often finds himself out of position defensively.
Bet: Clingan To Record Double-Double (+300 – 0.5 units)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers – 9:30 pm ET
Over the last two games, DeMar DeRozan is averaging 13.5 combined rebounds and assists per game. He has also had at least 10 combined rebounds and assists in nine of his last 12 games. The Kings are just utilizing DeRozan as a playmaker more and more lately, which makes sense considering Malik Monk is injured. With no reliable point guard options to eat up minutes, running things through DeRozan is a good fallback option. The 35-year-old has also been hitting the glass hard, so I feel good about him chipping in with rebounds tonight. That said, even in a pretty tough road matchup with the Clippers, I like DeRozan to fill up the stat sheet at plus-money odds. There’s also a good chance he plays right around 40 minutes tonight, and that always helps when you’re looking for a player to accumulate numbers.
Bet: DeRozan Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (+110)
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: Nuggets Alt +15.5 vs. Thunder & Suns ML vs. Mavericks (-145 – 1.5 units)
PARLAY: Suns ML vs. Mavericks & Timberwolves ML vs. Spurs (-161 – 1.5 units)
Devin Booker Over 36.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110 – 1.5 units) vs. Mavericks
Blazers ML (+130 – 1.5 units) vs. Pistons
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2024-25 NBA Record: 287-294-3 (-5.95 units)
