Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 10 (Back Warriors, Sixers on Thursday)
By Peter Dewey
We only have two NBA games to bet on on Thursday, March 10, but BetSided's Peter Dewey and Donnavan Smoot broke down both matchups with their favorite play.
Here is what they are eyeing, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction and Pick
Today will be one of those games that the NBA season is all about. We have two championship contenders and off-the-court drama that matches the skill on the court. However, we won't see Ben Simmons make his return to Philadelphia, which is a big reason why I'm taking the Sixers tonight.
In the six games since Harden has been in Philadelphia, the 76ers are third in offensive and net rating. They are also 5-1 in that stretch. Philly has turned a corner and become one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. They are climbing up the standings and are currently fighting for the No. 2 seed.
Meanwhile, the Nets are just trying to stay in the play-in conversation. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving available tonight, Brooklyn will give the Sixers some fits. Yet, their interior defense won't be able to stand up against Joel Embiid. If he wanted to, he could go to the post every play tonight and either score or get fouled.
Harden is facing his former team for the first time and I expect him to show out -- which is his way of being one of the pettiest players in the league. As four-point favorites, I like this line a lot for the Sixers.
Lean: Sixers -4 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction and Pick
Denver has now pulled into a tie with the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, and while every game counts at this point of the season, I’m not sure that Denver will be rolling out its entire team on Thursday.
The Nuggets can’t afford another injury, and playing four games in five days is a recipe for disaster. The Nuggets have already gone 3-0 over this stretch, so it’s possible Nikola Jokic and others sit tonight.
Denver did sit Jeff Green, Bones Hyland and Will Barton on Wednesday, but I still hate this turnaround regardless of who is in.
The Warriors finally got back in the win column in their last game, and they’ll be motivated to get this game with the Utah Jazz creeping up for the No. 3 seed in the West.
The Nuggets are just 5-7 against the spread on back-to-backs this season, and I think this is a solid spot to take the Warriors to win again as they look to turn their season around.
Lean: Warriors -1.5 (-110) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.