We’ve got basketball on the schedule throughout all of St. Patrick’s Day. Here are our three favorite NBA picks for March 17 for you to play at the top-rated sportsbooks!
Let’s go ahead and break down the NBA odds for today.
NBA Top Pick: Hawks-Clippers Over 223.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards
Sunday, March 17, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET at Capitol One Arena
There’s no offense as good as the Boston Celtics right now. The Celtics have scored at least 133.7 points per 100 possessions in each of their last three games. Boston has also limited turnovers to below 9% in those three games and has shot a very high effective field goal percentage.
The Celtics are also typically good on the offensive glass. They struggled in their last matchup against the Suns but still earned a 15-point victory, despite only 17.5% of offensive rebounds.
No Match
Boston doesn’t get to the foul line often. But who needs to when you’ve got a high effective field goal percentage and don’t ever turn the ball over?
They’ll face an 11-win Washington team that will not be able to match the Celtics offensively. Washington didn’t even score 100 points per 100 possessions in their last game against the Bulls. They’ve even had two games out of their last three where they didn’t even reach 100 points.
The Wizards have even allowed 127 or more points in two consecutive games. This has a blowout written all over it, even with the Celtics on the road for this game.
The Pick
While Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis won’t play, it’s still likely the Celtics will have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That’s all you need against the Wizards, who are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season.
Take the Celtics at -10.5.
NBA Pick: Celtics -10.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Brooklyn Nets vs. San Antonio Spurs
Sunday, March 17, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Moody Center
The Brooklyn Nets have scored 106 points or fewer in three of their last four games. The team is still getting to the foul line at a high rate. However, the turnovers continue to creep up on a game-to-game basis.
Lackluster Defending
Meanwhile, the defense is super lackluster. Brooklyn has allowed four of its last five opponents to shoot an effective field goal percentage of at least 60.5%. That’s one of the reasons for the Nets sitting at 26 wins this season.
The Spurs have struggled offensively in their last three games. San Antonio hasn’t scored more than 106 in three straight games. All three of those matchups were losses.
The Pick
But on the defensive side, the Spurs have improved, holding teams to 113.2 points per 100 possessions in three of its last four. There are times when the Spurs are good at limiting foul shots, and they’ve also done well on the defensive glass this season.
The Nets dominated the Spurs in February, 123-103. But I don’t trust these offenses to put together massive games. Instead, I’ll back the Under 219.5.
NBA Pick: Under 219.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Sunday, March 17, 2024 – 09:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena
Back on February 5, the Los Angeles Clippers added a 149-144 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Will we get that kind of scoring output tonight?
Recently, the Hawks haven’t been all that offensively. The team will put together games without turning the ball over at a high rate, and there are also times when the Hawks will earn a high offensive rebound.
However, the Hawks’ consistency is lacking. The team has scored more than 120 points per 100 possessions just once in the last ten games.
Should Go Under, Right?
The effective field goal shooting percentage has hit more than 56 just twice in the last eight games. Plus, Atlanta has struggled to consistently get to the foul line.
Meanwhile, the defense has been much better. The defense has held four of its last six opponents to 110.4 points per 100 possessions or lower. It’s still not incredible on the defensive glass and doesn’t limit fouls at a high rate, but it’s forcing some tough shots from the field, which is helping.
On the other hand, the Clippers have listed James Harden as a game-time decision. They’ve provided way better offense and continue to keep turnovers down. However, the defense has lacked recently.
The Pick
While the Hawks aren’t terrific on the offensive end without Trae Young right now, Atlanta will get some really good looks from the floor and likely add some offensive rebounds.
I’ll take the Over at 223.5. The way these teams match up just allows for a high-scoring game.
NBA Pick: Over 223.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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