NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | March 28

This Saturday afternoon I’ve got three NBA betting tips across the card. There’s a spread I’m confident about in Boston, a blowout waiting to happen in Memphis, and a Portland price that looks too good to ignore. Read on for an exact breakdown of the bets I’m taking.

Celtics -6.5 | $1.90 @ Betandplay

I get the hesitation to back Boston in this one: Atlanta have won 14 of their last 15, and Dyson Daniels put up 28 points and four steals against Golden State last weekend. 

But Jalen Johnson has missed the Hawks’ last two with shoulder inflammation, and without him Atlanta lose their best matchup option for Jayson Tatum.

Boston are 48-24 and Tatum’s been sharp since returning from the Achilles - 24 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Warriors recently. Nikola Vucevic remains out with a finger fracture and is targeting the final week of the regular season. 

I’m comfortable laying 6.5 here on any of the top betting sites NZ.

Rockets -8.5 | $1.85 @ VipLuck

Where do you start with this Memphis injury list? Ja Morant is done for the year. Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke - all out for the season. 

The Grizzlies have gone 1-9 in their last 10 and are giving up 127 points a game across that run.

Kevin Durant scored 30 against Minnesota on Thursday NZT and has hit that mark 27 times this season. Alperen Sengun matched him with 30 and four blocks. Houston lost that one in overtime on the road, but I’m not worried about it. The Rockets are 43-29 and they’ve won both meetings against Memphis already. 

Eight and a half should be covered.

Trail Blazers -5.5 | $2.05 @ Betista

This is my value pick. Portland smashed Milwaukee 130-99 on Thursday and sit 37-37, fighting for a play-in spot with eight games left. Jrue Holiday has averaged 15.8 points and 6.2 assists all season. Donovan Clingan is a wall underneath.

Dallas are 23-50. Kyrie Irving is out for the year. Dereck Lively II is out for the year. Caleb Martin is nursing a foot issue and Brandon Williams is in concussion protocol. Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant are carrying calf niggles for Portland, so check the injury report before tip-off. 

But at $2.05 on free bets I’ve got banked, this is the play I’m happiest about.