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NBA Betting Picks for Friday 3/22/24: Will Indiana Stay Hot Away From Home?

Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas•_riley8

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NBA Betting Picks for Friday 3/22/24: Will Indiana Stay Hot Away From Home?

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA Best Bets

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons

Under 223 (-110)

The Boston Celtics are rolling on a seven-game winning streak while going 6-1 against the spread (ATS) and will face one of the league's worst teams on Friday. The Detroit Pistons, who rank 27th in numberFire's ratings, will play host to Boston.

With the Pistons carrying a four-game losing streak heading into this matchup, this feels like a "rest" kind of game for the Celtics. The injury report seems to confirm that as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford are all questionable. Plus, Jrue Holiday also continues to be out with a shoulder injury; this will be his third straight absence.

Assuming that the questionable players do not go, this is a huge blow to Boston's offense. While Detroit has the fourth-worst defensive rating, I can't ignore the Celtics potentially missing their top three scorers and over 90.0 PPG of production with five players absent. This would be over 74.0% of Boston's scoring (121.0 PPG).

The Pistons actually defend the three-point line quite well. The Celtics attempt and make the most threes in the league, and Detroit surrenders the fourth-fewest three-point attempts per contest. We could see Boston's scoring output cool off a bit after totaling 123.7 PPG over the past six games.

On the other side of the court, the Pistons have the fifth-worst offensive rating, and Boston features the second-best defensive rating. Detroit has shot under 43.0% from the field in three of the last four games. The Celtics' defense could cause another frustrating night for the Pistons.

I like the under for this matchup, especially if Boston is without several key scorers.

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs

Over 216.5 (-110)

Despite carrying the worst offensive rating in the Association, the Memphis Grizzlies have produced over the last three games with 113.0 PPG while shooting 37.4% from three. This scoring total does not look like much as the league average is about 113.0 PPG, but it's a big improvement over Memphis' 106.0 PPG for the season (last).

The Grizzlies have a good shot of keeping the momentum going against the San Antonio Spurs, who have the eighth-worst defensive rating. Memphis' three-point shooting has played a major role during the three-game stretch. They've been launching threes at a pretty high clip this season with the fifth-most shots per game (38.5). This has been taken to another level over the last three games at 43.7 shots per contest.

The Spurs hold the fifth-worst mark in opponent three-point percentage. Desmond Bane, who leads the Grizzlies in three-point shots per game, is doubtful after sustaining a back injury in his last game. However, I still believe Memphis can flourish from three. Keep an eye on the rookie GG Jackson; he's totaled 25.5 PPG over his last four while making 19 of his last 42 three-point shots (45.2%).

San Antonio plays at the third-quickest pace while taking the sixth-most shots per game. I like their chances of at least scoring around their season average (112.3 PPG), which should be enough for the over.

Shooting the three could also be a key for the Spurs. They take the 11th-most shots, and the Grizzlies give up the 9th-most three-point makes each contest.

Going over 216.5 won't take much. Mostly due to Memphis' recent success on offense, give me the over. numberFire's daily game projections are also pointing to the over.

Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors

Pacers +5 (-114)

The Indiana Pacers have excelled on the road, going 4-0 outright and against the spread (ATS) over their last four road contests. Two of these games were even outright wins as underdogs on the road. Indiana is a visiting underdog once again versus the Golden State Warriors.

Golden State has been quite inconsistent in the last 10 games with a 5-5 record outright and ATS. The Warriors have the ninth-best offensive rating while Indiana has the sixth-worst defensive rating. Stephen Curry and Co. average 118.6 PPG (seventh-most), which should have the Pacers' defense sweating as they allow the third-most PPG.

Indiana's defense has few strengths, but they excel in the perfect area for this matchup. Per usual, Golden State regularly lets it fly from three, totaling the third-most attempts per contest. The Pacers' perimeter defense has been airtight, giving up the fewest three-point shots and makes per game. This strength has continued as opponents totaled only 28.4 three-point shots per contest over the last five games, even better than Indiana's season mark of 29.1.

We also know that the Pacers' offense is good for pouring in points. Indiana is best when attacking the rim, averaging the most points in the paint while taking the most field goals within five feet of the basket. Opponents have totaled 54.5 points in the paint per contest over the Warriors' past four games. For reference, the Pistons give up the fourth-most points in the paint at 54.4.

Indiana seems to check the boxes for a cover. The Pacers have been flourishing on the road, they defend the three well, and Golden State has struggled to guard the rim.


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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.

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