Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 3 (Why You Should Bet Heat, Warriors Others on Thursday)

Looking to place some bets in the NBA on Thursday?

BetSided's Donnavan Smoot and Peter Dewey have you covered with some of the top prediction for Thursday's game, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction and Pick

The good news for Nets fans is that Kevin Durant is coming back tonight. The bad news is that they have to play against the best team in the East in his return. There is no easing back into things.

Durant has been out since the middle of January and is the first star to make his full time return to the Nets. While he'll help, I'm still picking against the Nets today. Brooklyn is the worst team in the league ATS at home. The Nets are 6-23-1 at home, while Miami is 21-13-1 on the road (fifth in the league).

The Heat are coming off a heart-breaking loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, losing on a Jrue Holiday shot with 1.9 seconds remaining. They were in control for a majority of that game, which gives me hope they will do the same tonight.

Our own Ben Heisler had the Heat as his best bet, and that was with the line at -3. Now that it's begun to move towards the Nets, there's even more value on it.

Miami has the motivation and the team to get the job done. Sorry Durant, tonight won't be a fun return.

Lean: Heat -2.5 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot

You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.

Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Pick

I am going to buy low on the Warriors here as underdogs, as Klay Thompson (who missed Sunday’s game with an illness) is expected to play on Thursday. 

Thompson gives Golden State some much-needed scoring, as Andrew Wiggins has struggled mightily as of late, averaging just 13.6 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting from the field dating back to Feb. 1. 

Dallas has been playing well and boasts a top five defense, but it nearly blew a major lead to the Los Angeles Lakers in its last game. I don’t think Golden State falls behind by a ton in this game, so the Mavericks are going to need to survive the non-Luka minutes to cover on Thursday. 

Golden State is simply too good a team for it to turn in another clunker. 

Lean: Warriors Moneyline (+105) -- Peter Dewey

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction and Pick

I'm throwing out my last line of hope for the Lakers. I've picked them in every matchup against the Clippers this season and they've failed me every time. The Clippers have now beaten the Lakers six straight times. Yet, there's a little bit of hope.

Los Angeles looked decent against the Mavericks on Tuesday, and have a history playing the Clippers tough. All three of their losses this season have been by four points or less. A few bad bounces and terrible late-game execution have plagued the Lakers.

Over the last 10 games, the Clippers are only 0.7 points better in defensive rating. If the Lakers can get a few jumpshots to fall their way or LeBron James just takes over, the Lakers could win this one.

Lean: Lakers ML (+120) -- Donnavan Smoot

Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction and Pick

In the three games the Bulls and Hawks have played, they've cleared this line twice. The first two matchups totaled 248 points. While last game hit the under, it was the outlier in a season of points for these teams.

Atlanta is 3-2 against the OVER in its last five games, while the Bulls have scored at least 120 points in four of their last six wins.

Both teams are coming off of tough losses, and are set for bounce back games. These are two of the best teams in the league when it comes to hitting the OVER following a loss. The Bulls are 13-7-2 (first in the league) and the Hawks are 18-13 (sixth in the league).

This is a spot both teams are comfortable in and we should see a lot of points as a result.

Lean: OVER 231.5 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot