The Magic stunned bettors everywhere with a surprise win over the Los Angeles Clippers last night, although I’m sure L.A. sports fans were more focused on UCLA’s thrilling upset of Michigan. Tonight may not provide the same kind of late-game craziness we saw yesterday, but at least we have plenty of betting value to exploit.
Here are the top NBA betting plays for Wednesday, March 31, provided by BettingPros experts James Bisson, Raju Byfield, and Isaiah Sirois (Main game odds courtesy BettingPros Consensus; lock and prop odds sites may vary):
Check out our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for the top bets of the day >>
Betting Lock of the Day
Sirois: Trail Blazers -7.5 (-110 at DK Sportsbook)
The banged-up Pistons are on the front end of a back-to-back, and their second game is against the Washington Wizards. They have a much more realistic shot at winning that one, and they may make personnel decisions accordingly. With Wayne Ellington doubtful and Dennis Smith Jr. still out, the Pistons may opt to rest their key other players should they fall behind early. I suspect that the Trail Blazers will get out to such an early lead, as they rank first in points per first quarter (31.3). They also rank third in offensive efficiency over the last three games.
Top Team Prop of the Day
Sirois: Trail Blazers First Quarter -2.5 (-118 at FD Sportsbook)
Yup, I’ll double down on Portland getting off to a hot start. As I mentioned, they average the most points per first quarter (31.3), which has only increased lately. They scored 32 first-quarter points in their last outing, and they have averaged 32.7 over their last three. Meanwhile, the Pistons average the 11th-fewest points per first quarter (27.5). Portland’s defense does leave a lot to be desired, but they should be able to outscore Detroit’s depleted roster by at least three points to open tonight’s game. The Pistons have gone 1-2 against this spread in their last three first quarters; they only covered against the Raptors.
Top Player Prop of the Day
Sirois: Julius Randle Over 34.5 Points and Rebounds (-115 at FD Sportsbook)
Randle throttled the T’Wolves for 39 points and rebounds in their last meeting (25 points, 14 rebounds). While he has cooled off since a torrid return to the court following the All-Star Break, I expect the talented forward to right the ship this evening. Minnesota plays at the NBA’s third-fastest pace, allows the third-most points per game, and gives up the third-most rebounds per game (56.4). They rank fifth-worst in offensive boards allowed per game (10.3) and seventh-worst in defensive boards (36.6). Randle leads the NBA in total minutes played and averages 37 per game, so he should have the opportunities necessary to cash in on Minnesota’s vulnerable defense.
Check out our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for the top bets of the day >>
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