NBA Pick: Celtics -10 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
With a seven-game slate in the NBA, there’s plenty of value on the board. Here are my three favorite betting picks for tonight’s slate of games.
Picks Summary
- Celtics -10 (-110)
- Hawks vs. Wizards Over 234.5 (-110)
- Cavaliers vs. Heat Under 215 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
Wednesday, March 08, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Capital One Arena
Teams Analysis
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta has lost three of their last four games and is now below .500. The Hawks are still a potential playoff team. It would be bad if the team didn’t make the playoffs with the roster they have, which includes Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Atlanta has scored 115.3 points per 100 possessions while limiting turnovers to 12.7%. The Hawks won’t get to the line much against Washington but could end up with a solid amount of second chances.
The Hawks won’t dominate from the field and will need those second chances to keep them in the game.
Washington Wizards
On the other hand, Washington’s a bit better on the offensive end. They’ve shot an effective field goal percentage of 55.5% but won’t do the little things on offense as well.
The Wizards have turned the ball over 14.5% of the time and have only earned 26.3% of offensive rebounds. The Wizards also aren’t getting to the foul line at a high rate.
But it’s not like the Hawks are much better defensively. Atlanta has held teams to a 54.7% effective field goal percentage, earning 14.2% of turnovers. But other than that, the Hawks have been below average, allowing 115.5 points per 100 possessions.
The Pick
Neither defense is very appealing. The Hawks allowed 130 points to the Miami Heat, a struggling offense. The Pistons added 117 against the Wizards in their last meeting.
Let’s take the Over 234.5 in this one.
NBA Pick: Over 234.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics
Wednesday, March 08, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at TD Garden
Teams Analysis
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has been fun to watch this year. However, they’re still 31-34 on the year and will have to fight throughout the second half just to make it into the playoffs.
The Blazers have won their last two games over the Magic and Pistons on the road, but that’s not proving much. A win against a struggling Celtics would help their case a little bit more.
Portland has scored 117.5 points per 100 possessions and shot an effective field goal percentage of 56.3%. The Blazers won’t have much success on the offensive glass, and while they usually get to the foul line at a high rate, the Celtics limit fouls at a very high rate.
Boston Celtics
It’s been a brutal last couple of weeks for the Celtics, but look at the big picture. The Celtics are still 45-21 and near the top of the East. They’ll be fine.
The offense has added 117.8 points per 100 possessions and should have no problem scoring against a Blazers defense that has allowed 117.9 points per 100 possessions. The Celtics also shoot a 56.6% effective field goal percentage and have limited turnovers to 13.4%.
Boston rarely dominates the offensive glass, but they have a chance to have some success against a Blazers unit that has allowed 28% of offensive rebounds.
The Pick
The NBA odds boards have the Celtics earning a 10-point win. I agree. Back the Celtics to get back on track tonight.
Make sure to go over our guide on the best Massachusetts betting sites if you’re planning on placing your bets from the Bay State.
NBA Pick: Celtics -10 (-110) with BetOnline
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday, March 08, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at Miami-Dade Arena
Teams Analysis
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have won three of their last four games after an overtime win against a depleted Celtics team.
The Cavaliers are an above-average offense in every major category offensively, adding a 55.7% effective field goal percentage with 116.6 points per 100 possessions.
The Heat have done the little things well defensively, but still allow a 55.9% effective field goal percentage. Miami will limit offensive rebounding and earn a high rate of turnovers, but ultimately, if the Cavaliers shoot at a high rate, none of that will matter.
Miami Heat
Miami has been the opposite on offense. The team is averaging just 112.2 points per 100 possessions with an effective field goal percentage of 52.2%.
With the Cavaliers being one of the top defenses in the league, Miami will have a hard time scoring consistently, even at home. The offense has been hotter as of late, earning at least 117 points in their last three games.
But Cleveland has held Miami to no more than 100 points in each of their first two games played against one another this season.
The Pick
Miami’s playing better basketball. Therefore, I don’t want to completely bet against them, even against the Cavaliers.
I’d rather take the Under and hope that Cleveland struggles from the field.
NBA Pick: Under 215 (-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.
