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NBA Betting Picks for Monday 3/25/24: Will the Suns Maintain Dominance Over the Spurs?

Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas•_riley8

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NBA Betting Picks for Monday 3/25/24: Will the Suns Maintain Dominance Over the Spurs?

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

Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers

Under 205.5 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been low-scoring teams in recent games, making one side of the total an intriguing bet. The Hornets have dealt with scoring issues for nearly the entire season, the Cavaliers boast one of the league's top defenses, and Cleveland's recent scoring totals have dipped due to injuries.

First, let's start with Charlotte's scoring troubles. The under is 7-3 over the Hornets' past 10 games, and they have totaled only 94.3 points per game (PPG) over the previous four contests. Charlotte has the second-lowest scoring offense in the NBA while the Cavs give up the sixth-fewest PPG. Put the two together; this one isn't too difficult to figure out. The Hornets should be in store for another poor scoring outing -- especially after shooting a combined 42.8% over the last four games.

Cleveland's offense could be the determining factor for if the under hits. This unit is miles better than Charlotte's as the Cavaliers have the 18th-best offensive rating and the Hornets have the 2nd-worst. Plus, Charlotte has the third-worst defensive rating, giving Cleveland the stage to shine.

However, the Cavs have put up only 87.5 PPG over the last two games while shooting 41.8% from the floor. One of the Hornets' best defensive stats is allowing the 19th-fewest three-point shots per game. Cleveland has converted only 16 of their last 58 three-point shots (27.6%). Donovan Mitchell (27.4 PPG) and Max Strus (12.2 PPG), who lead the Cavaliers in three-point shots per game, are expected to be out for tonight's game. Three-point shooting has been one of Cleveland's major scoring strengths this season (ninth-most shots per game), but the struggles from deep could continue against Charlotte.

Each team is among the top 11 slowest paces in the Association and are in the top half of the fewest field goals attempted allowed per contest. I expect the under trend to keep going strong for the Hornets.

Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs

Suns -12.5 (-110)

Backing a double-digit favorite on the road is certainly a bold pick, but the evidence is there for the Phoenix Suns to roll against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns were just favored by 10 points in Saturday's head-to-head matchup, which Phoenix won by 25 points as the visitor. Of course, this recent game holds the most weight for taking the Suns to cover.

Phoenix's offense was deadly efficient in this thrashing, shooting 59.6% from the floor and 45.8% from three. While we should expect the Suns' shooting splits to somewhat drop on Monday, I still think they are in store for another extremely efficient outing. Phoenix ranks among the top eight in effective field goal percentage (eFG%), two-point percentage, and three-point percentage. Meanwhile, the Spurs have the fifth-worst mark in opponent eFG% and fourth-worst mark in opponent three-point percentage.

San Antonio also shot only 27.3% from three in Saturday's game. Once again, I think this is another area that could repeat as the Spurs have the worst three-point percentage in the league, and the Suns rank in the top half of opponent three-point percentage. Victor Wembanyama (20.7 PPG), who leads San Antonio with a 32.1% usage rate, is questionable for Monday's collision. If Wemby cannot go, this only adds to the Spurs' scoring worries.

Simply put, I have several reasons to believe that tonight's game could be a repeat of Saturday's clash. Phoenix dominated the last matchup and have the tools to do it again. The Suns have covered three straight games against the spread (ATS), and San Antonio has failed to cover back-to-back contests.

Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets

Rockets Team Total Over 119.5 (-106)

The Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets are among the bottom 11 teams in offensive rating, and with the 224.5 total for tonight's matchup, the under could look like the clear side to take. But not so fast -- recent performances suggest otherwise.

Houston's offense has been torching the opposition with 132.6 PPG over the last five games. The Rockets are carrying the longest ongoing winning streak in the Western Conference with eight consecutive wins. Suddenly, Houston is threatening to grab a Play-In Tournament spot, which FanDuel's NBA playoff odds have at +550.

This offense has been scorching over the previous five games, converting 52.8% of their field goal attempts. I'm not too worried about the Rockets' offense suddenly slipping against the Blazers, who have the eighth-worst defensive rating. Houston has increased their paint production at 55.2 points in the paint per game over the past five games (50.3 for the season). Portland gives up the sixth-most points in the paint and has the worst mark in opponent two-point percentage.

The Trail Blazers could be without virtually their entire backcourt as Malcolm Brogdon and Shaedon Sharpe will be out. Plus, Anfernee Simons and Matisse Thybulle are questionable. Jalen Green has totaled 34.4 PPG over the last five games and will likely be guarded by Scoot Henderson (121.3 defensive rating) and/or Rayan Rupert (117.2 defensive rating). I like Green's chances of staying hot; his point prop is at 26.5 points for tonight's game.

The Rockets look plenty capable of carrying their weight for the over. Due to various injuries for Portland, I'm cautious about the over for the 225.5 game total. Targeting the over for Houston's point total could yield success, though. The -106 odds only sweetens the deal.


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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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