The new week kicks off with a juicy eight-game slate of NBA action on Monday. As always, we take you through our best betting tips for the key games of the day right here!
Make sure to check out our NBA Tips page regularly to find our best betting tips for all slates we cover each week. Additionally, we provide NBL betting tips for every round of the season for those of you who can't get enough of our quality basketball bets!
NBA Betting Tips: Monday, 14th of March
Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks
State Farm Arena, 10am AEDT
The Pacers managed to get a positive result last start against the Spurs who were without their only All-Star in Dejounte Murray. It was just the Pacers fourth win since January and their ninth since the turn of the new year. As a result, they’re well and truly out of contention for a playoff spot and are only six games better off than the worst team in the competition.
The Hawks were also winners in their most recent game against the Clippers, defeating them by six points in Atlanta. That win snapped a mini two-game losing streak, one of which came against the defending champions in the Bucks. The Hawks have had a much better run with injury in recent weeks and are climbing up the standings as a result. They’re now 10th in the East and only 1.5 games behind the Nets in eighth.
These teams have already played each other twice this season and the Hawks have had the better of this matchup on both occasions, winning once at home and once on the road. They’re the deserving favourites in their third clash of the season, particularly when considering the Pacers will be without their best player in Malcolm Brogdon. With that said, I like their chances of covering the spread in this one.
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans
Smoothie King Center, 10am AEDT
The Rockets were unable to match it with the talented Mavericks in their most recent outing, going down at home by 13 points. Prior to that they pulled off an unlikely overtime win against the Lakers, which was their second win from their last four games. The Rockets have certainly been more competitive on a consistent basis of late, although they still hold the worst record in the NBA at 17-50.
The Pelicans have well and truly cooled off from the hot form that saw them win for straight games a couple of weeks ago. They’ve now lost four in a row and have been playing absolutely no defence, giving up 132+ points in three of their last four games. As a result, the Pelicans have slipped to 27-40 on the season and are now 10th in the West standings.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season, with the Pelicans currently leading the series 2-1. However, they will be without their three best players on Monday with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum all unavailable for different reasons. This gives the relatively healthy Rockets a genuine chance of tying the series at 2-2 and I expect them to make the most of it.
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, 12pm AEDT
LeBron James needed to produce one of his superhuman performances to guide the Lakers to an important 13-point win over the Wizards last outing. It was the King’s second 50-point night from his last three games, which has seen him become the current scoring leader for the season. In terms of team success, the Lakers haven’t had much of late and are currently 29-37 on the season, which has them in ninth spot in the West.
The Suns have still been playing some good consistent basketball despite being without their floor general in Chris Paul for a couple of weeks now. They weren’t able to get the chocolates against the Raptors in their most recent outing, but they still come into Monday’s slate having won four of their last six games. The Suns remain 7.5 games clear of the Grizzlies for the best record in the West.
The Suns have dominated this matchup in recent times, winning each of their last five games against the Lakers, including their last four by 10+ points. They will be without Paul on this occasion, although they’re still the far deeper and more talented team and should be far too strong over four quarters. I have them winning by double figures once again.
Player Props
6am Clippers at Pistons – Cade Cunningham 21+ Points $1.90 TAB
10am Rockets at Pelicans – Jonas Valanciunas 13+ Rebounds $1.80 Picklebet
10am Rockets at Pelicans – Jalen Green 18+ Points $1.95 Sportsbet
12pm Lakers at Suns – DeAndre Ayton 18+ Points $1.80 Sportsbet
