March Madness is here, but the NBA regular season also continues on Sunday with a six-game slate. Our NBA betting experts are ready with four best bets, including player props and a spread pick for Pacers vs. Lakers in a rematch of the In-Season Tournament Championship.
Find our NBA best bets today for Sunday, March 24th below.
The best North Carolina sports betting apps are now live! Learn more and register for the best bonus offers.
NBA Best Bets Today
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
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. | ||
Pelicans vs. Pistons
By Joe Dellera
The Pelicans continue to be without Brandon Ingram as they take on the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon.
CJ McCollum is a player who has thrived in an expanded role in Ingram's absence. McCollum has averaged 4.8 assists on 10.3 potential assists in six games without Ingram this season, which is a clear uptick in playmaking duties from 4.3 assists on 7.7 potentials with Ingram.
Today, he faces the Pistons, and the Pelicans should have no difficulty dealing with them today. While there is some blowout concern, McCollum sees his average assists climb to 5.2 in wins of 15 or more points this season.
I’ll grab this at any plus money number, but bet365 has the best price at the time of this writing.
Pick: CJ McCollum Over 4.5 Assists (+130)
| | | |
76ers vs. Clippers
By Joe Dellera
James Harden faces off against the Philadelphia 76ers in his first game against them since he was traded to the Clippers.
Harden seeking some level of revenge definitely should be considered in this spot as added motivation, but the matchup is strong for him regardless. The 76ers will be without Kyle Lowry (rest), who has emerged as one of their better defensive options for the perimeter, and without Embiid on the interior, it should make finishing at the rack easier for Harden.
Additionally, the 76ers have the second-worst Expected Allowed eFG% of 56.4% as they are surrendering far too many looks at the rim and from 3. This aligns much more closely with Harden’s shot profile than the rest of the starters for the Clippers.
Harden has exceeded 16.5 points in 50% of games this season while averaging 17.3 points per game. I expect a strong scoring performance from Harden today.
Pick: James Harden Over 16.5 Points (-105)
| | | |
Thunder vs. Bucks
By Matt Moore
I get why the Bucks are favored here, but I just disagree. The Thunder project as roughly three-point favorites by my power rating. OKC is great as a road dog at 7-3 straight up and against the spread this season.
The biggest problem for the Thunder is their lack of interior size. However, the Bucks don't play that style as they rarely attack the glass, with Brook Lopez often spacing to the perimeter and the Bucks ranking 27th in Offensive Rebound Rate.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have a better halfcourt offense and defense, along with a better transition defense. They play more consistently, and the Bucks' drop scheme in pick and roll will leave openings for the Thunder’s second-ranked pick and roll scoring offense.
If you're going to beat the Thunder, you need to bully them. That's not the Bucks' strength despite having Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, and the Thunder bench's advantage is significant.
I'll grab the points and play the moneyline as well on OKC to get another signature win.
Pick: Thunder +3
| | | |
Pacers vs. Lakers
The last time these teams faced off was in the In-Season Tournament Championship, and the Lakers beat the Pacers 123-109 in what was kind of an embarrassing loss on such a big stage.
The Lakers dominated the Pacers inside by getting a lot of what they wanted on the interior–a place where the Pacers struggle to stop opponents. That's been a recurring play style that the Pacers have struggled against.
Despite somewhat of a matchup edge for the Lakers, I like the Pacers to cover the spread as road dogs. I have this modeled in a range that makes this a play on Indiana, and given the revenge angle of losing in the In-Season Tournament and the lessened advantage created by the officiating change, that’s enough for me to place a full unit on the Pacers.
This is a Pacers team that will take that loss personally. This season, Indiana is 21-12-3 ATS when it lost the previous head-to-head matchup. Given that the last matchup was in the IST Championship, which was a much bigger stage than normal in the regular season, that's enough of an edge for me to back the Pacers with the points.
I'd play them to +2.5 on the spread for one unit.
Pick: Pacers +4
| | | |
