NBA Best Bets March 14: Will the Spurs Tank Against the Magic?

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Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on in the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 10, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Mike Mulholland/Getty Images/AFP

Top NBA Pick: Magic -6 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

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Magic -6 (-110)
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With a solid slate of games in the NBA, I’ve added three of my favorite bets of the night. Which NBA picks will you be tailing?


Pick Summary

  • Cavaliers vs. Hornets: Cavaliers -7.5 (-110) at BetOnline
  • Pistons vs. Wizards: Wizards -11.5 (-110) at BetOnline
  • Magic vs. Spurs: Magic -6 (-110) at BetOnline

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at Spectrum Center


Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have already knocked off the Charlotte Hornets in two games this season. Cleveland has also won four of their last five games and recently beat the Hornets 114-108.

The Cavaliers have Jarrett Allen listed as out. But the offense still has plenty of weapons heading into this game. The Cavaliers have scored 116.5 points per 100 possessions while having an effective field goal percentage of 55.6%. Cleveland is ultimately above average in every significant category offensively.

The Hornets, on the other hand, have allowed a below-average number in every major category defensively but turnovers. Charlotte is giving up 115.4 points per 100 possessions and is usually weak on the defensive glass, allowing 27.5% of offensive rebounds per game this season.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are the worst offense in the NBA, per the analytics. The Hornets have scored just 109.6 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 51.5%.

Charlotte doesn’t get to the foul line often and probably won’t get many opportunities against a Cleveland team that has allowed a 20.8 free throw rate. Teams have scored 110.6 points per 100 possessions against the Cavaliers. That ranks third in the nation.

The Pick

Despite the Hornets improving in many areas, I’ve got the Cavaliers running away with tonight’s game. Cleveland is just way more consistent.

NBA Pick: Cavaliers -7.5 (-110) at BetOnline

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Cavaliers -7.5 (-110)
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Detroit Pistons vs. Washington Wizards

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at Capital One Arena


Detroit Pistons

Detroit’s struggling offensively. The Pistons have done some good things on the offensive glass and quickly got to the foul line. But Washington has done well limiting fouls and offensive rebounds. Detroit has only done well on the glass and foul line. But those two things will be limited by Washington.

The Pistons score 110.9 points per 100 possessions, 27th in the NBA. They’re also shooting an effective field goal percentage of 52.5%, 26th in the NBA. On the other hand, Washington has held teams to a 53.6% effective field goal percentage, which is top-six in the NBA,

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have lost four of their last five games. They’re now 31-37 on the year and losing ground quickly in the East. The Wizards have scored 115.1 points per 100 possessions and are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.4%. That’ll be good enough against the Pistons.

Detroit has allowed teams to shoot a 56.1% effective field goal percentage while allowing 118.6 points per 100 possessions. They have also allowed 28.1% of offensive rebounds and given up a high free throw rate of 22.9. The Pistons could be better on the defensive end.

The Pick

The Wizards are significant favorites in tonight’s game. I agree with the NBA odds. Detroit only lost by two points to Washington earlier this month. But some extra tape will help Washington earn a convincing win tonight.

NBA Pick: Wizards -11.5 (-110) at BetOnline

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Orlando Magic vs. San Antonio Spurs

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 08:00 PM EDT at AT&T Center


Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic won a game against the Spurs earlier this year, 133-113. The Magic are improving as the season goes on. They’re still 28-40 but won’t be the laughingstock of the league this year.

The Magic typically get to the foul line at a high rate and should have a ton of success on the offensive glass. Orlando has earned 27.1% of offensive rebounds while the Spurs have given up 28.4% of offensive rebounds.

Orlando only shoots an effective field goal percentage of 53.3%. But the Spurs are allowing teams to shoot a 57.7% effective field goal percentage while allowing 120.5 points per 100 possessions. The Magic should go off offensively again tonight.

San Antonio Spurs

Meanwhile, the Spurs are solid on the offensive glass. But they don’t get to the foul line, shoot an effective field goal percentage of just 53%, and have turned the ball over 15.4% of the time. That’s just not going to be enough against the Magic, even at home.

The Spurs have lost three of their last five games and only scored 90 against the Thunder in their last loss. Don’t count on the Spurs to stick around against the Magic’s offense tonight.

The Pick

The Spurs have just 17 wins this year. We know what they’re trying to do. San Antonio wants that No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. So bet against them and take the Magic -6.

Orlando bettors looking into making some NBA bets should go ahead and check out these Florida betting sites.

NBA Pick: Magic -6 (-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.