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NBA Betting Picks for Tuesday 3/5/24: Will the 76ers, Spurs Cover on the Road?

Skyler Carlin
Skyler Carlin•@skyler_carlin

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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

Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

Knicks -3.0 (-110)

The Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks are both dealing with injuries to their All-Star point guards. Jalen Brunson is questionable to play on Tuesday due to a knee contusion while Trae Young continues to be sidelined because of a finger ailment.

Even though it seems unlikely that Brunson will suit up -- or be 100% healthy if he does -- versus the Hawks, the Knicks are at home and have the better roster. Despite Brunson exiting within the first minute of action during Sunday's contest, New York still took down the Cleveland Cavaliers -- who were without Donovan Mitchell -- on the road by the score of 107-98.

Regardless of Brunson's status, the Hawks are 9-19 against the spread (ATS) on the road, and they have failed to cover the spread in three straight games as the visitors. Meanwhile, the Knicks are 15-15-1 ATS at home and have an overall record of 20-11 at MSG this season.

Donte DiVincenzo, whose points prop is sitting at 23.5, will likely see an increased role on Tuesday if Brunson is ruled out. DiVincenzo is registering career-best marks in points per game (14.2) and three-point percentage (41.0%) in his sixth year in the NBA.

In the four games that Young has been out for the Hawks, they have posted the ninth-worst offensive rating (110.5) and the eighth-worst assist-to-turnover ratio (1.83) in the Association.

With Atlanta reeling sans Young, I'll take New York to cover the 3.0-point spread at home.

Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets

76ers -2.5 (-112)

Are the Philadelphia 76ers figuring things out a little bit with Joel Embiid sidelined because of a knee injury? After losing three of their first four games following the All-Star break, the 76ers have now won two straight contests.

Philadelphia's latest victory was a road win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday despite entering as 7.5-point underdogs. Next up on the schedule for the 76ers is a Brooklyn Nets team that has struggled mightily in recent months.

Despite owning a 17-13-3 record ATS at home this season, the Nets are 7-12-1 ATS in their last 20 games overall. On the other hand, the 76ers are 16-12 ATS on the road and have covered the spread in seven of the last 10 meetings against the Nets.

With Embiid unable to play, Tyrese Maxey -- who has the shortest NBA Most Improved Player odds (-600) -- has been fantastic since the All-Star break, producing 24-plus points in seven consecutive outings. Maxey has the highest points prop at 26.5 in Tuesday's matchup between Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

Across the seven games they've played since All-Star weekend, the Nets have the sixth-worst offensive rating (106.3) and the eighth-worst effective field-goal percentage (51.0%). Additionally, the Nets are on the second leg of a back-to-back after losing to the shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets

Spurs +7.5 (-110)

The San Antonio Spurs and head coach Greg Popovich are treating us to more Victor Wembanyama following the All-Star break. The rookie sensation has played 30-plus minutes in five of his six games since returning from the All-Star festivities, though he's questionable to play on Tuesday due to a shoulder issue.

While we'll need to keep tabs on Wembanyama's status, the Spurs have won two consecutive games, defeating two playoffs teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The Houston Rockets are 20-10 overall and 19-10-1 ATS at home thus far, but are they good enough to cover a 7.5-point spread right now?

Since January 12, the Rockets have been favored by eight-plus points just twice and they failed to cover the spread in both of those contests. On top of that, Houston has the third-worst offensive rating (103.0), the second-worst assist-to-turnover ratio (1.37), and the second-worst effective field-goal percentage (47.3%) in the league in their six games since the All-Star break.

The spread could widen if Wemby is inactive, but numberFire's daily projections have Devin Vassell logging 18.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. The projections also have Tre Jones notching the seventh-most assists (7.2) on Tuesday's slate.

Given how these teams have performed recently, I'll back the Spurs to cover as 7.5-point underdogs on the road. If Wembanyama is able to play, then I don't hate the idea of taking San Antonio's moneyline straight up at +260 odds.


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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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