Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 21 (Timberwolves, Pistons Looking to Stay Hot on Monday)
The NBA is in the final stretch of the regular season, and there are plenty of games to bet on tonight, so why don't we break down some of our favorites?
Peter Dewey and Donnavan Smoot have previewed each game for Modnay, March 21, and here are some of their favorite plays, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Pick
I've backed the Mavericks in their last two games and have gotten burned, so I'm going to try to other side of this matchup. The Timberwolves have been playing great basketball as of late. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won four games in a row.
Minnesota's net rating during March has been five points better than the next team. The Mavericks will be one of the better teams they've faced and should be a defensive battle. The Mavericks are top 10 in defensive rating this season, while the Timberwolves are 0.1 points away from being in the top 10.
Both defenses are set to show up, which makes me believe it will be a close game. With the way the Timberwolves have been playing, it's hard not to be on their side.
Lean: Timberwolves +3.5 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction and Pick
I’m all about the Pistons in this matchup, as Cunningham and Marvin Bagley are showing there is hope in Detroit moving forward.
The Blazers simply haven’t been able to compete in some games with Anfernee Simons out of the lineup, and I expect that to continue in the second night of a back-to-back.
Portland is also one of the worst road teams in the NBA, going just 12-22-1 against the spread this season.
The Pistons are 16th in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating over their last 10 games, while the Blazers are dead last in the NBA in both categories over the same stretch.
Fade, fade, fade Portland.
Lean: Pistons -7.5 (-110) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Pelicans vs. Hornets Prediction and Pick
The Pelicans have struggled without Brandon Ingram this season, going 5-16 straight up, but they won last night against Atlanta.
This may be tougher against a Hornets team that has beaten the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks in their last two games. Charlotte is humming offensively as of late. The Hornets have put up the league’s No. 2 offensive rating over the last 10 games, but they rank 21st in defensive rating over that stretch.
As for the Pelicans, they are eighth and 10th in those respective categories, and I think we see plenty of points in this matchup. The last game between these teams saw 262 total points, and the Hornets have cleared 234 points in seven of their last 10 games.
This game may be a track meet with the way Charlotte loves to push the pace, so I’ll take the over with the Pels on a back-to-back.
Lean: OVER 234 (-110) -- Peter Dewey