NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | March 1

Sunday afternoon means basketball here in NZ, with three games worth a punt on NBA betting NZ platforms. I’ve got a spread pick, a moneyline, and an over/under to keep things interesting. Read on to see where my money’s going this weekend.

Raptors -8.5 | $1.90 @ Betandplay

Washington are currently 16-42 and are undeniably one of the worst teams in the league. To make matters worse, they’ve been woeful at home - they can rarely trouble half-decent opponents.

Toronto, meanwhile, have dropped two in a row to OKC and San Antonio. They’ll take some solace from the fact that both were close losses against top-tier sides. This is exactly the sort of bounce-back game the Raptors need. Washington concede a lot of points and give up easy baskets in transition. I’m expecting Toronto to take care of business here and cover comfortably.

Lakers ML | $1.65 @ Betista

Golden State are a mess right now. Curry hasn’t played since 30 January with a knee issue and is due to be re-evaluated on 1 March, which is game day. Even if he does get the green light, it’s hard to see him coming straight back at full tilt. Butler’s done for the year too, while Porzingis has been in and out with illness.

The Lakers have lost three straight, but that’s more to do with their tough schedule (Celtics, Magic, Suns) than any real problem. Doncic is averaging 32.5 points this season and has looked sharp with 28.3 per game over his last three outings. LA beat the Warriors 105-99 earlier this month without Doncic even playing. 

With him on the court and Golden State this depleted, I think the Lakers should win this one going away. Odds of $1.65 even at the best online betting sites aren’t the most lucrative, but I’m taking them.

Over 230.5 | $2.10 @ VipLuck

This is a clash between two of the worst teams in the Western Conference, sitting 25th and 26th overall. Neither side has anything to play for, and their defence reflects that - they played each other just days ago and hit 247 points together, with New Orleans winning 129-118.

Utah and New Orleans both sit in the bottom five for defensive rating this season. When neither team can stop the other, totals tend to blow past the line. At $2.10, the over is the value play for me. Don’t expect pretty basketball, but do expect plenty of points. This is a solid option if you’re testing new betting sites for a higher-odds pick.