An intriguing Saturday slate can wet the pallet for NBA bettors before March Madness action gets into full swing. My friend, Chris Walder, has given you all sorts of NBA action, from every betting angle this season.
Today, I’ll give you my best bets of the evening:
Jump To Picks
Detroit Pistons vs Brooklyn Nets
Matchup Page: Detroit Pistons vs Brooklyn Nets, 7:10pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | +9 (-110) | +280 | O 215 (-110) |
| Brooklyn Nets | -9 (-110) | -350 | U 215 (-110) |
Pick: OVER 215 Total Points
The OVER has smacked in each of the last five Pistons versus Nets matchups. Each of these teams sit in the top-20 in pace, with Detroit sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference averaging 14.4 fast break points per game.
Malachi Flynn has 41 POINTS on 18 SHOTS 🔥
Pistons making a push late in Atlanta!
📲 https://t.co/77x6kbCOsN pic.twitter.com/NH9EDxRtWQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2024
Monty Williams team have allowed opponents to shoot 49% from the field, while the Nets have allowed opponents to shoot over 47%. There’s a ton of injuries to account for, as Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Dennis Smith Jr. will miss this game. But, former Toronto Raptor Malachi Flynn just went off for 50 points last week. Both these teams are capable of scoring in bunches, and play very little defense. The OVER 215 points is an easy play for Pistons versus Nets.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Memphis Grizzlies
Matchup Page: Philadelphia 76ers vs Memphis Grizzlies, 8pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | -12.5 (-110) | -820 | O 211.5 (-110) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +12.5 (-110) | +570 | U 211.5 (-110) |
Pick: Memphis Grizzlies +12.5
The 76ers have gone just 1-3 ATS as a double-digit favorite since the calendar hit 2024. Sure, most of those games were without star big man Joel Embiid. But, head coach Nick Nurse won’t want to risk his MVP’s health for long stretches against the lowly Grizzlies.
Memphis has actually covered the spread and won SU in three straight contests as underdogs. I like the Grizzlies to keep that momentum going tonight.
Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets
Matchup Page: Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets, 9pm ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | +12 (-110) | +520 | O 221.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -12 (-110) | -720 | U 221.5 (-110) |
Pick: UNDER 221.5 Total Points
The Nuggets sit sixth in the NBA while giving up only 109.8 points per game and holding opponents to 46% shooting from the field. Recently Mike Malones’ squad have been ever more stingly defensively, holding their last ten opponents to 106 points per contest.
Behind their stifling defense, the UNDER has gone 45-31-1 in Nuggets games so far this season. I love this trend to continue against an Atlanta Hawks squad shooting just 45.2% away from home on the year.
