NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | March 14

There’s a stacked afternoon of basketball in New Zealand this Saturday. I don’t know about you, but I’m planning on doing some NBA betting, particularly given how hot this column’s tips have been running this week. I’ve got three more angles, each producing just under plus money - or, well over 5x if you bundle them into a multi. Read on for my breakdown of each bet. 

Rockets -6.5 | $1.85 @ VipLuck

Kevin Durant has scored 20 or more in eight straight games now. He’s averaging 27.2 points since the All-Star break on 55.8% shooting, which is nuts for a 37-year-old. Sure, Houston got demolished by Denver 129-93 midweek - I watched, and it was ugly. But I reckon it was a one-off, rather than the start of a trend.

New Orleans, on the other hand, look to be in trouble at 22-45. They sacked Willie Green back in November after a 2-10 start and things haven’t improved under James Borrego. Trey Murphy III can score in bunches and Herb Jones is always annoying defensively, but this roster has no answers for a locked-in KD at Toyota Center. Happy to take on the 6.5 spread here.

Trail Blazers ML | $1.65 @ Betista

Utah are 20-46 with a brutal injury list: Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Walker Kessler are all out. That leaves Keyonte George doing most of the heavy lifting with Brice Sensabaugh and rookie Ace Bailey for support. Respectfully, I don’t know how you win on the road with those guys in charge.

Portland aren’t at full strength either - Shaedon Sharpe’s been out since early February with a calf problem. But Deni Avdija has been exceptional all season, putting up 24.3 points and 6.7 assists, and Donovan Clingan gives them a physical edge. 

At 31-35, the Trail Blazers need every win for the play-in. These are the shortest odds of my three tips today, but sometimes you just take the easy one. Worth a look on any of the top betting apps in NZ still.

Timberwolves ML | $1.75 @ Betandplay

Without Stephen Curry, the Warriors look clueless. Doesn’t help that Jimmy Butler is out too. They’ve lost three in a row now, and their star still won’t be back for well over a week.

Minnesota are a solid 40-26. These two split the season series 1-1, but both games were blowouts of 25-plus points. Minnesota took the last one 108-83. With Golden State this banged up and struggling at home, I think the Timberwolves handle this pretty comfortably. It’s good value at $1.75 on any of the top betting websites.