Sports betting players are gearing up for the most exciting time of the regular season in the NBA as teams are either looking to improve their place in the standings, they’re looking to make the playoffs, or they’re just aiming to get on top of their game ahead of the postseason. Here are four games to watch out for this weekend.
(All numbers as of Wednesday, March 23rd)
Grizzlies Bulls Betting – Friday, 8:00 PM ET
The Bulls will tip off the weekend as a home favorite at the United Center against the Grizzlies, who are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five trips to Chicago, with three of the games going under the posted total. This is a huge week for the Grizzlies, who will be in Boston on Wednesday and then they host San Antonio on Sunday, and they are desperately trying to hold on to the last playoff spot in the West, but they’ll be facing a Chicago team that has rolled to the top of the East, and they’ll be rested after beating Sacramento and Atlanta by an average of 37 points. The Bulls beat the Grizzlies 96-84 in Memphis on January 17th behind Derrick Rose’s first triple-double, and they were without Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Now, they have them both back, and they’re at home, where they’re 24-10-1 ATS?
Free picks: Chicago Bulls
Mavericks Jazz Betting – Saturday, 9:00 PM ET
The Mavericks should be the favorites in Utah, where they haven’t been favored in six trips to the EnergySolutions Arena, and they’re 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five games in Utah. The Mavericks are also 20-14 ATS on the road this season, while the Jazz are 14-21 ATS at home, so that is another reason that Dallas will be NBA betting favorites on Saturday night. Their 93-81 win in Utah on December 3rd was their first win there since January 9th, 2007. Both teams have been up and down lately, and this will be the first of a six-game road trip for the Mavericks, who have been beaten teams they should beat, while losing to the top teams in the West, and that doesn’t bode well for the Jazz.
Free picks: Dallas Mavericks
Trailblazers Thunder Betting – Sunday, 8:00 PM ET
On a busy Sunday night, the Thunder should be the home favorites in this NBA betting matchup against the Trailblazers, although Portland is 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 18-16 ATS at the Arena this season, and the Trailblazers are 17-16-3 ATS on the road, so there isn’t much between these two. This kicks off a three-game trip for the Trailblazers, and this game is sandwiched between a pair of meetings with San Antonio home and away, while the Thunder will surely be focused after last Sunday’s home loss against Toronto. That prevented them from running the table during this six-game homestand, but the Thunder should win out the rest of the way at the Arena.
Gambling picks: Oklahoma City Thunder
Hornets Lakers Betting- Sunday, 9:30 PM ET
Finally, the Lakers will be the NBA betting favorites in this contest against the Hornets, who are 1-4 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to the Staples Center to face the two-time defending champions, and four games went over the posted total. This will be the third road game in four days for the Hornets, who will be in Utah and Phoenix, while the Lakers had been home for four games, and they have a meeting with the Clippers on Friday leading up to this game, so they should be rested after a triple-overtime win over Phoenix on Tuesday. This may be too much for the Hornets to overcome, even though they have a good wagering record against the Lakers on the road. The Lakers are rolling right now and starting to peak, so they’re the smart choice in your online betting book.
Sport pick: Los Angeles Lakers