NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | March 19

Thursday night NBA in the States means early-afternoon action here in NZ. I’ve got three tips across NBA betting NZ sites today: a battle at the top of the East, a Toronto team hitting form at the right time, and a Clippers spread that looks vulnerable without their star forward.

Celtics -7.5 | $1.90 @ VipLuck

Golden State are in rough shape here. Stephen Curry is out indefinitely with a knee injury, and the Warriors - 33-35 and ninth in the West - have gone 1-10 straight up in their last 11 against Atlantic Division opponents. That’s a brutal record.

Boston are 45-23 and Jayson Tatum is back. He’s played four games since returning from a torn Achilles, his minutes creeping up toward 32 per game, and he’s averaging 19.8 points. Jaylen Brown hasn’t eased off at all in his absence. Nikola Vucevic remains out with a broken finger, which is the one thing keeping me off a bigger number.

I’m taking Boston on legal betting sites giving up 7.5 and not looking back.

Raptors -6.5 | $1.90 @ Betandplay

Chicago are 28-40 and have been poor on the road all season. Josh Giddey is playing well right now - four triple-doubles in his last five games is a real number - but I’d argue that makes this match more interesting rather than less. Toronto have the personnel to limit his impact, and Chicago’s supporting cast isn’t good enough to pick up the slack if Giddey gets bottled up.

Toronto are 38-29 and playing their best basketball in months. Brandon Ingram has at least 30 points in 11 games this season, including 36 over Phoenix on Friday. Scottie Barnes is producing across nine statistical categories, and Jakob Poeltl just put up 21 points and 18 rebounds.

The Raptors beat Chicago 123-107 last time out. I’m backing them to cover again.

Pelicans +7 | $2.10 @ Betista

This is the riskier of my three picks. Kawhi Leonard tweaked his ankle in Saturday’s loss to Sacramento and was ruled out for Monday against the Spurs. He’s day-to-day for this one. If he doesn’t suit up, seven points is too many to give the Pelicans.

New Orleans are 20-46 and clearly having a rough year, but Trey Murphy III is back from a shoulder injury and Jeremiah Fears has been excellent off the bench lately. The Pelicans have covered in four of their last five against the Clippers. 

I’m not tipping an upset. On the betting apps NZ I use, $2.10 on New Orleans keeping it within seven is worth the risk given the Leonard question mark.