The NBA regular season continues with an excellent eight-game slate this Monday — headlined by a nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN as Heat vs 76ers tips off the action at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then Knicks vs Warriors takes center stage at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The Buckets podcast crew has provided seven NBA best bets and expert picks for tonight. Read below for their predictions and listen to the latest episode for today, Monday, March 18.
Best NBA Bets Tonight: Expert Picks for Monday, March 18
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | Under 224.5 |
  | 7:30 p.m. | Under 213 |
  | 10:00 p.m. | Under 213 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Knicks +5.5 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Knicks +5.5 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Donte DiVincenzo Under 7.5 REB + AST |
  | 10:00 p.m. | Domantas Sabonis Over 13.5 Rebounds |
Cavaliers vs Pacers Under 224.5 (-110)
7:00 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Matt Moore
The Pacers are a high-foul defense. When these teams get fewer calls, the trend is at 66.7% to the under since the All-Star Break.
The Pacers are 9-3 to the under since the break and while Tyrese Haliburton is certainly struggling which had led to a lot of unders, I still am seeing a lot of good things from him. He is one of the five most impactful offensive players in the league this season.
I do see a lot of positives from the Pacers defense. I think they have a chance to be dangerous come the playoffs. This number is enough to get me on board for the number.
Pick: Under 224.5 (-110)
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Heat vs 76ers Under 213 (-110)
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Matt Moore
This game is a combination of the free throw percentage mentioned in the Pacers-Cavaliers cap, along with the Heat who are a top-15 defense with a bottom-10 free throw rate.
I have a number of trends in this game, and although it is 213, I don't know how low this number can or should be.
To me this number is too low, almost ridiculous. I'm going to take the under.
Pick: Under 213 (-110)
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Knicks vs Warriors Under 213 (-110)
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Matt Moore
This line may be too low. I am actively testing the NBA to prove that there's something going on with the foul-rate.
I will keep betting these teams who play good defense with how the referees are changing the rate at which they call fouls. The player whose free throw percentage has dropped the most is Steph Curry.
I don't want to bet the under on Curry because I am not an idiot but I will take the game under because of this.
Pick: Knicks +5.5 (-110)
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Knicks +5.5 (-110) at Warriors
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Jim Turvey
OG Anunoby returns, and the Knicks have won three straight by notable margins. He has been a plus in +/- in all 17 games as a Knick this season. This number has gone up from +4 to +5.5.
I personally have this game around a pick'em. Their defensive rating since his return is 95.1, obviously a small sample size but it passes the eye test.
The Warriors got a big win over the weekend but in the last two weeks, they are 28th in spread differential. The Warriors return home from a road trip. There is plenty of room for me on this one, so I will take the spread and sprinkle the moneyline.
Pick: Knicks +5.5 (-110)
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Knicks +5.5 (-110) at Warriors
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Joe Dellera
The Warriors at 10-17 against the spread as a home favorite. The Warriors are 8-5 with a net rating of +1.8 since the All-Star Break. The Knicks on the other hand have dealt with a plethora of injuries but are 7-5 since the break with a +2.8 net rating.
OG Anunoby returns and it is a monster physicality boost for a Knicks team that wants to suffocate you defensively. If you can get a little more wiggle room to play physically, that is a huge advantage for the Knicks.
I think this is a huge test physically for the Warriors and I think the Knicks match up well personnel-wise against Golden State.
Pick: Knicks +5.5 (-110)
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Donte DiVincenzo Under 7.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Jim Turvey
Since OG Anunoby's addition, DiVincenzo has gone under this number in 12 of 17 games when they have both been in the lineup together.
In the last three games, his usage and stats have decreased. His points scare me a little bit more because he still gets up a bunch of threes, so if he has the ability to go high with that, I would rather take the rebounds plus assists portios. His minutes have dropped a tad and it isn't the prettiest pick, but money is money.
Pick: Donte DiVincenzo Under 7.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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Domantas Sabonis Over 13.5 Rebounds (-115)
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Joe Dellera
This dude has been incredible this season. He is coming off a 14-rebound performance.
In two games against the Grizzlies this season, he has had 26 and 21 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. played in both of those games and I expect him to be out there tonight.
I think this will be a more competitive game despite a double-digit spread. He has gone over this number in eight of his last 10 games.
The Grizzlies are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, and I expect Sacramento to show up and show out tonight.
Pick: Domantas Sabonis Over 13.5 Rebounds (-115)
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