NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | Mar 7

Saturday afternoon’s NBA card has some great match ups for those looking to bet on basketball in NZ. Boston and Denver both look strong at home, and there’s a Southeast division battle in Charlotte that I reckon NZ betting sites have underpriced. Read on for a breakdown of my three NBA tips today.

Hornets ML | $2.10 @ Betandplay

I don’t know how you game plan against Charlotte right now. They walked into Boston this week and won 118-89. We’re talking four players in double figures, Coby White cooking off the bench with 17 on 67% shooting, and Brandon Miller getting 18 and three steals. It wasn’t a fluke either - they looked like they didn’t even realise it was a road game.

Miami are only one win ahead in the Southeast division. Given the best betting apps are offering $2.10 for the Hornets to win this one and they’re actually at home now, I’ll take that.

Celtics -10.5 | $1.90 @ VipLuck

Right, so 10.5 points is a lot. But Dallas are a mess. They’re running four straight losses at least, which could be five by the time this tips off depending on their Friday game against Orlando. Charlotte, Memphis and Sacramento have put 117, 124 and 130 on them - that’s no good that.

Then there’s the back-to-back element that comes into play here as well. Celtics have a day off on Friday while the Mavs have to play. You know Boston will be using that time to regroup after getting a hiding themselves against Charlotte earlier in the week. I’m feeling another blowout here, and it’s going the Celtic’s way.

Nuggets -3.5 | $2.25 @ Betista

This one I keep going back and forth on. The Knicks are good - 40-23 - and legit contenders. They beat Denver 134-127 earlier this season. But that was at MSG, and playing in Manhattan is different to playing a mile above sea level.

Jalen Brunson shot 28% against OKC the other night in a 100-103 loss. Maybe that’s just one bad game. But Denver thumped Boston 103-84 at home not long ago, and even on the road they put 157 on Portland. I don’t love laying 3.5 against New York, but the altitude tips it for me here. Most NBA betting sites have Denver as the favourite and I’m with them, though I wouldn’t blame anyone for staying away from this line either.