NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | March 9

NBA betting kicks off the week with a loaded Monday lineup here in NZ. I’ve got three picks that I love to get things started, with Cleveland hosting Boston in what could be a playoff preview, the Knicks heading to LA riding a wave, and San Antonio looking to extend their ridiculous home record against Houston. Here’s where I’m putting my money across NZ betting sites today.

Cavaliers ML | $1.95 @ VipLuck

I’ve gone back and forth on this one. Boston are 42-21 and just smashed Dallas 120-100. They look great. But their road form has had some ugly patches. They lost in Denver, and then that 89-118 blowout in Charlotte was bizarre for a team of their calibre.

Cleveland are 39-24 and they’ve won five of their last six at home. Their game vs Detroit last week was tight (113-109), but they found a way. 

This is basically a coin flip by the bookies’ reckoning. I’m taking Cleveland at $1.95 because their home court’s been a fortress, and Boston have shown they can slip up on the road. Not a confident tip, more of a lean.

Knicks -3 | $1.90 @ Betista

142-103. That’s what the Knicks did to Denver, in Denver. The fourth quarter was one of the highest levels I’ve seen. They’re now sitting at seven wins in their last 10 against strong opposition, beating Houston, Milwaukee, and Chicago along the way.

The Lakers are 38-25 and have been solid too, winning three straight over Golden State, Sacramento and New Orleans before dropping one in Denver. But Jalen Brunson carved them up when these two met in February, with New York winning 112-100, and I don’t see what’s changed defensively for LA since then. Worth checking the best betting apps for this line though because I’ve seen it vary.

Spurs -5.5 | $2.10 @ Betandplay

This is the bet I’m most locked in on. San Antonio at 46-17 are having an unbelievable season and their home form is brilliant. They beat Detroit 121-106, the Clippers 116-112, and Philly 131-91. Victor Wembanyama has been on fire and Houston don’t have the size to deal with him.

The Rockets are 39-23 and a good team. But they lost to Golden State at home this week and also lost 111-99 to the Spurs back in January. The spread’s wider at 5.5, which is why you’re getting $2.10 from most NBA betting sites. San Antonio have been covering at home and with the way Wembanyama’s playing, I reckon they win this by eight or more.