Best NBA Bets Today: Free Betting Picks, Predictions & Player Props 3/21

For the first time in the week, the NBA has a loaded schedule on back-to-back nights, and there are several games that will impact playoff seeding. The Miami Heat visiting the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls hosting the Toronto Raptors headline a nine-game slate that includes six teams playing the second leg of back-to-backs. The Heat is the only team in the Eastern Conference to have clinched a playoff berth, as they hold a three game lead over the Bucks and 3.5 games over the 76ers. Meanwhile, the Sixers are coming off a 93-88 loss to the Raptors last night, dropping them into a tie for fourth place with the Celtics. Boston, Portland, Houston, New Orleans and Utah are also playing on consecutive nights.

This daily NBA article will examine the best betting picks and NBA player prop bets today. With OddsShopper, bettors can maximize their profits and see the best bets with the highest expected return on investment . OddsShopper can find which sportsbooks offer the best prices for these prop bets. The following are the seven best bets for March 21.

Best NBA Bets Today: Player Props & Expert Betting Picks

Hornets Spread (-6) Over Pelicans
Hornets vs. Pelicans Over 234.5 Points

This should be an entertaining game, as both teams have excellent offensive firepower. The contest has playoff implications for each squad. New Orleans enters the contest on a two-game winning streak after defeating Atlanta 117-112 on the road last night as Jonas Valanciunas and C.J. McCollum combined for 51 points. With the victory, the Pelicans moved into a tie for the final playoff spot with the Lakers. They are 2.5 games clear of the 11th-place Spurs.

New Orleans has really been playing well since the beginning of February. During this stretch, the Pelicans are 12-9, averaging 116.0 points while shooting 49.6% from the field. They have also been solid defensively and on the road recently. Plus, Devonte’ Graham (hip) may be available after sitting out on Sunday.

Charlotte appears to have gotten back on track after struggling before the All-Star break. The Hornets are 7-4 in the second half of the season as they have won four straight, including the first two of their five-game homestand in impressive fashion over the Hawks and Mavericks. Like the Pelicans, the Hornets have been excellent offensively, as they have averaged 122.5 points on 49.6% shooting from the field while also making 15.6 3-pointers at a 40% clip. Terry Rozier has continued to play his best basketball of the season in the second half, producing over 24 points a game, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Miles Bridges has also played well recently.

The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 142-120 in New Orleans 10 days ago. While it is unlikely that many points will be produced tonight, scoring should not be a problem. The point total has dropped a point since the morning line. There is also no reason that the Hornets should not run away with the game again, especially with the way Bridges and Rozier are playing. Charlotte has outscored their opponents by over six points a game over their last seven home contests. Moreover, the Pelicans are just 2-10 when playing back-to-back games with a nearly 8-point differential.

Lakers Spread (+5.5) Over Cavaliers

Los Angeles is not in good form and they have been awful on the road this entire season, but the point spread has dipped one point since the morning line, and the Cavaliers have struggled without Jarrett Allen. The Cavaliers are just 5-5 in March, getting outscored by an average of 2.3 points a game. Cleveland (41-30) is sixth in the Eastern Conference, just one-half game behind Chicago and 1.0 game ahead of Toronto. Both the Raptors and Bulls are also in action.

This recommendation is contingent on LeBron James playing. The Lakers have lost four of five, and they have won only three times on the road since January 1. However, the Lakers (30-41) need to win or at least start showing better if they have any hopes of advancing beyond the play-in games. James has been excellent of late and is coming off a 38 point and 10 assist performance against the Wizards, surpassing Karl Malone for second on the all-time scoring list. Russell Westbrook has played well the past two games, as he posted a double-double and a triple-double in those games. Expect James to show out, as he always loves to perform in front of his hometown fans.

Bulls Moneyline (-160) Over Raptors
Bulls vs. Raptors Under 222.5 Points

The point spread has dipped a half-point since the opening line. Chicago really needs to snap out of its funk after losing three straight and eight of 10. The Bulls sit in fifth place but are in real danger of dropping out of the top six, as they are just a half-game in front of the Cavaliers and 1.5 games ahead of the seventh-place Raptors. But the Bulls are getting healthier as each day moves on, and they have been fantastic at the United Center this year. They still will not have Lonzo Ball, but Patrick Williams (wrist) is expected to be available for the first time since October.

Toronto defeated Philadelphia 93-88 last night for their fifth win in the past six games. The Raptors have not shot the ball or, for that matter, defended well during this stretch. However, they have hit the offensive boards extremely hard and have averaged nearly 40 points from second-chance and fast-break opportunities over the last six contests. Plus, Gary Trent Jr. will not play tonight, though Fred VanVleet is expected to be available after sitting out on Sunday. Chicago ranks sixth in the league in defensive rebounding, and they have done an excellent job quelling fast-break opportunities recently.

Chicago has taken two of the first three meetings against Toronto this year, as DeMar DeRozan put up 27 points, six rebounds and six assists a game in those contests. The Bulls also rank sixth in the league in defensive rebounds, and they have done a fabulous job holding off fast-break chances. OddsShopper gives Chicago a 58% chance of winning the game.

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Drew Eubanks Over 12.5 Points

Eubanks has played well since being acquired from San Antonio. He has scored in double-figures in four straight and has tallied at least 13 points in eight of his 11 games with the Blazers. Eubanks has compiled 12.0 points on 62.3% shooting from the field, and 8.3 rebounds in March. While his prop total has increased by two points since last week, the over is still a good bet as he has a pretty good matchup. The Pistons have given up the 10th most points to opposing power forwards on the season. Eubanks is projected for 14.40 points. OddsShopper gives the over a 62% chance of hitting with an expected ROI of 24%.

Other Top NBA Bets Today

Thunder Spread (+15.0) Over Celtics
Mavericks and Timberwolves Under 231 Points
Rudy Gobert Over 13.5 Points

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