Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 8 (Trust Hornets, Suns and Bucks on Tuesday)
By Peter Dewey
Tuesday night in the NBA is bringing us a ton of action, as several playoff teams are looking to improve their position as the season enters the home stretch.
Here are some of my favorite predictions in the NBA for Tuesday night, with all odds via WynnBET:
Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets Prediction and Pick
While both of these teams have been struggling as of late, Charlotte is significantly better against the spread on the year, going 35-28-2 ATS compared to the Nets’ league worst record at 24-39-2.
As great as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are, the roster around them is still in need of some work until Ben Simmons is able to make his debut with the team.
Brooklyn failed to cover as five-point road underdogs against the Boston Celtics, so I’m not sure I love the Nets as four-point favorites here.
While the Hornets are just 20th in the league in defensive rating on the season, they have been much better as of late, ranking fifth in the league over their last 15 games.
That’s huge against a Nets team that struggles on the defensive end (23rd in defensive rating), and it should give Charlotte some room for Durant to still have a big game.
The Hornets are 10-6-1 against the spread as home underdogs this season, and I think they cover again on Tuesday.
Lean: Hornets +4 (-110)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Phoenix Suns vs. Orlando Magic Prediction and Pick
Orlando is 3-2 since the All-Star break, but it was blown out on Saturday by the Memphis Grizzlies after beating up on some of the lesser teams in the league.
Orlando has really struggled as a home underdog this season, going just 6-19 against the spread, which is the worst mark in the NBA besides the Suns’ 0-1 record.
Even without Booker and Paul, Phoenix hung tough with the Bucks on Sunday, and Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder all had big games. A repeat performance may be tough, but Orlando is one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA (29th in offensive rating), so the Suns may be able to win a lower-scoring matchup.
I am going to lean with Phoenix, as the Magic should struggle with a step up in class, but this isn’t the same team that we’ve been betting all season when healthy.
Lean: Suns -6 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction and Pick
The Thunder have been solid as home underdogs this season, going 15-11-4 against the spread, but I think this is a night to fade them.
OKC has struggled in several games with Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, Ty Jerome and others out, and I don’t think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be enough to take down the defending champs.
Milwaukee is coming off a big win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, and it’s within striking distance of the No. 2 seed in the East. The Bucks simply outclass the Thunder talent wise in this game, and we’ve seen OKC get blown out on nights because it’s league-worst offense simply can’t keep up.
I’ll lean with Milwaukee here, but I’m also going to have my eye on SGA’s points prop, as he’s been money since the All-Star break, scoring 29 or more points in six straight games.
Lean: Bucks -13.5 (-110)