NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | March 31

There’s plenty of basketball this week with a good lineup of NBA game on Tuesday afternoon NZT. I’ve got picks across NZ betting sites, with Phoenix chasing playoff position and a Spurs team nobody wants to face. Then there’s a Dallas number that could land if Anthony Edwards stays sidelined.

Suns -8.5 | $1.90 @ Betista

Memphis are 25-49 and running on fumes. Ja Morant and Zach Edey are done for the season, as are Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama. Cedric Coward scored 24 in Saturday’s one-point win over Chicago, but that just shows where this side is at.

Phoenix are 41-33, meanwhile. Devin Booker’s been averaging 27.9 points in March, with 26 on Saturday against Utah while Jalen Green went for 31. 

Bottom line, I’m comfortable laying 8.5. The Suns are fighting for seeding and Memphis don’t have the firepower to hang around.

Spurs -14.5 | $1.95 @ VipLuck

I don’t normally touch spreads this size. But Victor Wembanyama is putting up 24.2 points and 11.3 rebounds with three blocks per game. The Spurs have gone 23-2 since February and hammered the Bucks 127-95 on Saturday. They’re 28-7 at home. If you’re familiar with NBA betting NZ markets, this is the kind of mismatch you look for.

Chicago are 3-7 in their last 10 and just 11-25 on the road. They’ve been conceding 128 per game over that stretch. Jaden Ivey is done for the year and Anfernee Simons has a wrist concern. I can’t see Chicago keeping it close - the Spurs won the first meeting 121-117 in November and they’re even better now.

Mavericks +9.5 | $2.05 @ Betandplay

Anthony Edwards has missed six straight games with knee inflammation. Reports say he’s expected back for this one, but he sat out Saturday’s loss to Detroit and hasn’t done full practice yet. If he plays on limited minutes - or sits again - 9.5 is too many to give Dallas.

Cooper Flagg is the reason this line isn’t bigger. Over his last eight he’s averaged 23.8 points with 6.8 assists while shooting 51%. He had 24 with four steals in Friday’s win at Portland. Dallas are 24-50 and playing for nothing except Flagg’s Rookie of the Year case, which means they’ll compete.

I’m not predicting an upset. On the betting apps NZ sites I use, $2.05 on Dallas covering 9.5 feels right given the Edwards question.