NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | March 12

Thursday’s NBA action has a bit of everything for NZ punters. First there’s a playoff-calibre clash in Orlando where I like the away side. Then, a road trip to Salt Lake City that should suit the Knicks, while a Western Conference showdown at altitude in Denver has a juicy spread. I’ve found three picks across NZ betting sites that all deliver close to plus money, or combine for a sharp multi this Thursday.

Cavaliers ML | $1.85 @ VipLuck

Cleveland have already beaten Orlando twice this season and both times it wasn’t close. We’re talking 119-105 in January, then 114-98 two days later. That’s a combined margin of 30 points.

However, the Magic are in great form. They’ve gone 7-3 in their last 10 including a 130-91 demolition of Milwaukee earlier this week. Paolo Banchero has been consistently excellent across this run.

But I keep backing Cleveland here because the matchup just works for them. They’ve got the defensive structure to slow Orlando down, and at 40-25 they’re still five wins clear of the Magic. $1.85 for a road win isn’t massive, but I feel confident enough to take this bet.

Knicks -8.5 | $1.90 @ Betista

Eight and a half points is a big spread, I know. But the Jazz are 20-45 and playing for nothing. Yes they beat Golden State 119-116 on Tuesday, however that felt more like the Warriors being sloppy than Utah turning a corner.

The Knicks went to Denver and won 142-103 over the weekend. Sure the Lakers edged them most recently, but I still like what I see from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. I don’t know who on the Jazz can handle either of these two. Betting apps have this priced like it’s going to be competitive -  I don’t think it will be.

Nuggets -3 | $2.15 @ Betandplay

This is a bit of a hairy pick, so don’t come after me if it busts your multi. But there are odds here that I can’t resist, with the Nuggets at a handy $2.15 on Betandplay to cover the spread.

Houston are 39-24 and Alperen Sengun has been brilliant all year. They could absolutely win this. Anyone following NBA betting NZ knows the Rockets are legit contenders.

But Nikola Jokic at altitude is another kettle of fish. The Nuggets beat LA 120-113 last week and handled Utah 128-125 too. Houston, meanwhile, got walloped 120-145 by San Antonio on Monday, and they’re also coming off a Wednesday game against Toronto (yet to be played).

I can’t get past these kind of odds on the Nuggets at home given Jokic’s form.