NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | March 5

Planning to spend Thursday afternoon in New Zealand watching basketball? Check out these three NBA betting tips I’m high on heading into tomorrow’s matches. I’ve got an underdog play that has a big upside, a mismatch that should be over by half-time, and a home favourite I fancy. Read on for a full breakdown of the return you can get at NZ betting sites with these picks.

Hawks ML | $2.15 @ Betandplay

I actually think $2.15 is generous for the Hawks here. 

Atlanta have been on fire since bringing in Kuminga from Golden State, winning four of their last five. Jalen Johnson’s been the standout, averaging 23.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists this season, while Daniels added 12 points and seven assists in their demolition of Portland last weekend.

Now, Giannis did return from a five-week calf injury for the Bucks against Boston on Tuesday. He got 19 and 11 in limited minutes, which is encouraging for Milwaukee. Still, he looked pretty gassed and the Bucks lost by 27. At 26-34 for the season, they’ve dropped three of their last five at home. Until Giannis improves quickly, I don’t trust them against the Hawks.

Milwaukee did win their first meeting by two back in January, but that was before Giannis went down. I’ll take Atlanta on the road.

Clippers -10.5 | $1.95 @ VipLuck

Where do you even start with Indiana? They’re 15-46, and in almost all of their recent matches, have been outscored by double digits. 

Haliburton and Zubac are done for the year, Siakam, Nesmith and Nembhard are all listed as questionable, and Furphy’s out long-term too. I genuinely can’t tell you who’s supposed to be scoring their points right now. 

Meanwhile Kawhi’s bagged 20+ in 38 straight games for the Clippers, averaging just shy of 30 a game since February. Adding Garland from Cleveland just gives LA another handy creator to call on, not that they really need it. 

This spread’s big at 10.5, but the Pacers have looked far from competitive the last few months, so I’m happy to back the Clippers to cover it.

Grizzlies ML | $1.70 @ Betista

Portland have lost their last two games by a combined 50 points. When you’re leaking that many points on the road, it doesn’t just fix itself the next game.

The Grizzlies aren’t exactly in great shape either, sitting at 23-36 to date. But they’ve been competitive at FedExForum, and there’s something about Portland sweeping both meetings in early February that I think gives Memphis a bit of extra edge here. 

Memphis will be out for revenge, and with the Trail Blazers in shocking form, now’s the time to get it.

At $1.70 on the best betting apps, this is the safest of my three picks and a good one to anchor a multi if you’re looking to combine these tips for a bigger payout.