While all eyes return to NCAA men’s college basketball for the continuation of the Sweet 16, the NBA continues to hum right along tonight with a 10 game slate. With Trae Young and Steph Curry going at it in the early national TV slot (NBA TV), the 76ers and Clippers will go at it in the late one.
Let’s take a closer look at three games I have my eye on.
Check out all of today’s First Basket Player Prop Bets >>
Leg #1. Hornets +3.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
The market for the Hornets is starting to feel reminiscent of the early season when they flew under the radar while blowing the doors off teams with their shooting seemingly nightly. Coming into the weekend, the Hornets are averaging 114.8 points per game, and have won five of their past six.
They now welcome to town a Jazz team who has lost two straight, scoring 108 points or less in three straight as they now sit tied with the Mavericks for the 5/6 spot in the Western Conference playoffs. In what will be their second meeting of the season, I like for the Hornets to get their revenge following a 112-102 Jazz win in December and to keep this one close late.
Leg #2. Mavericks +2 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Speaking of those Mavericks, a late-season surge led by a defense allowing just 104 points per game has them firmly in the race for the top half of the Western Conference playoffs. Led by Luka Doncic and his 27.9 points per game, the Mavericks come into tonight winners of two straight, routing Houston last night in a game they rest starters late.
For the home Timberwolves, just one game separates them and the Nuggets for the final confirmed spot (#6) in the playoffs entering tonight. Having lost two straight including one to these Mavericks on Monday, the young nucleus led by Karl Anthony Towns needs to get back to their winning ways.
Playing their third game in four nights, I don’t think we see that start again tonight. Mavericks pull away in the fourth as Doncic continues his MVP-level play.
Leg #3. Heat -5.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Having won three of their past five, it’s too little too late for a Knicks team who likely played themselves out of the postseason already to start the year. Scoring 121 points in a 121-106 win Wednesday at Charlotte, expect regression tonight for a team averaging just 106.3 points per game.
For the home Heat, some internal strife needs to be worked out before the postseason begins, as two straight losses have them just one game ahead of the Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Knicks are the perfect team to get that worked out. Heat win in a route.
Total Odds: +595 at DK Sportsbook
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
Whether you’re’ new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our Sports Betting 101 Section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced sports betting strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers