The NBA regular season continues with a jam packed 12-game slate this Friday, which is headlined by an excellent nationally televised doubleheader on NBA TV as Lakers vs. Pacers tips off the action at 7:00 p.m. ET, and then Mavericks vs. Kings takes center stage in the late window at 10:00 p.m. ET.
As we preview Friday's games, our basketball betting experts have locked in five NBA best bets for today's slate — featuring two picks against the spread, two player props and one moneyline prediction for tonight's matchups.
Read along for our NBA best bets for Friday, March 29.
NBA Best Bets for Friday, March 29
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 8:00 p.m. | |
| 8:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. ET | |
  | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Clippers vs. Magic
The Magic have hit a minor skid, losing their last two games at home. But that's no reason to overreact and make the best home team in the league underdogs against the Clippers, who aren't exactly lighting the world on fire either.
Los Angeles was lucky to beat the 76ers on Wednesday, eking out the win after a Philadelphia collapse in the fourth quarter.
The Magic lost two games against desperate Western Conference teams in the Kings and Warriors, who are on the verge of the play-in.
Before those two losses, Orlando had won five in a row, whereas the the Clippers — who aren't quite immune from the play-in tournament, are pretty squarely in the range of securing a 4-6 seed in the West and were just 3-6 in their last nine games prior to the win in Philly.
I think this is a great spot for the Magic to get right with the Clippers playing their fourth game in six nights. Take Orlando.
Pick: Magic +1.5 (-110)
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Trail Blazers vs. Heat
In case you've missed it, Bam Adebayo is making threes now.
After being left unbelievably wide open at the top of the key for years, and even on the corner, he's decided to take some threes above the break over the last several games.
This number shouldn't be as fat as it is seeing as how Bam has hit a three in six of his last seven, making 6-of-10 from deep in that stretch, but it is true that he's just not missing when taking the occasional wide open three.
At some point, they'll start to be contested, or he'll begin to miss. But I'd bet he takes (and makes) at least one against Portland tonight, and the number is too juicy to pass up given recent repetitions.
Pick: Bam Adebayo Over 0.5 Made Three Pointers (+350)
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Trail Blazers vs. Heat
By Joe Dellera
The Blazers head to Miami to take on the Heat and one player who I expect to have a tougher matchup is rookie, Scoot Henderson.
Scoot has had an interesting season and is averaging 13.2 points per game on the season, but he's averaging just 14.5 points per game since the All-Star Break. He has not broken through the way many anticipated his skillset would in the NBA.
Scoot takes the majority of his shots at the rim, a shot that Miami is extremely strong at taking away. To beat Miami, you need to shoot the 3-ball which is not something Scoot does well or often.
The Blazers have listed a number of players on the injury report including Jerami Grant (hamstring – doubtful), Malcolm Brogan (elbow – out), Andersen Simons (knee – out), and Deandre Aston (elbow – questionable).
While this should open up a larger offensive role for Scoot, the player that has actually seen the greatest jump is Dalano Banton.
Scoot has scored 20+ points in just eight games this season, and is still just one for four on this line without both Grant and Simons.
Couple this history with the fact that Miami plays at the third-slowest pace in the NBA since the ASB, and I expect points to be at a premium.
I expect Scoot to go under 19.5 points.
Pick: Scoot Henderson Under 18.5 Points (-115)
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Rockets vs. Jazz
By Joe Nelson
Houston has won 10 consecutive games to now sit as a threat in the Western Conference playoff picture. The urgency remains high for the Rockets sitting in the #11 position and with a difficult schedule for the final two weeks of the season.
The Rockets need to take care of business today against a sinking Jazz team that has lost seven in a row as these teams have diverted in different directions despite still being next to each other in the standings.
Houston's net efficiency is third-best in the league in the past 10 games only trailing Boston and New York as the offense has stepped up to match a defense that has been a quality unit all season.
Utah has the worst defense in the NBA by a wide margin in the recent snapshot and Houston put up 147 points on Utah at home just a few days ago.
The Jazz have not been able to keep up in recent games topping 107 points just twice in the past nine games while allowing at least 113 points in each of the past 10 games.
Normally a formidable home team, the Jazz are 1-5 SU and 1-5 ATS in the past six home games despite the solid season numbers. Houston has a poor 11-24 road record to make this road favorite price suspect, but the Rockets just won in Oklahoma City on Wednesday and are 6-2 S/U and 7-1 ATS in the past eight road games including recent SU wins in Phoenix and Sacramento as well.
The market has adjusted on the Rockets with this big road favorite price, but it may not be high enough as the Jazz are without Jordan Clarkson while Lauri Markkanen and Johnny Juzang are question marks.
Houston has been a terrific fourth-quarter team in recent weeks, and this is a critical game for the Rockets knowing the next six games are all against quality playoff threats.
Pick: Rockets -7 (-110)
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Mavericks vs. Kings
By ASA
These same two teams recently met on this court and the Mavericks handed Sacramento a 132-96 beatdown. But Dallas had an unusually hot shooting night 55% from the field and 56% from deep in that contest, while the Kings had a horrible shooting night at 39% overall and 37% from the 3-point line.
These two teams are shooting roughly 48% from the field for the season, so you can see the disparity in the last game compared to 'average' statistics.
The Kings had beaten the Mavs twice this season prior to Tuesday's game and I expect them to get immediate payback here.
Sacramento is 19-10 SU coming off a loss this season with an average plus-minus of +3.2 points per game.
Dallas is great as a road favorite but just 5-11 SU as an away underdog. Sacramento has a positive point differential at home, and the Mavs have a negative differential on the road.
Take the Kings here.
Pick: Kings ML (-115)
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