The NBA season is starting to heat up as teams fight it out for playoff positioning, while other teams continue to tank for lottery balls.
There’s a good amount of matchups to bet on for Sunday.
Listed below are featured NBA picks, predictions and analysis for March 3rd, 2019 from our expert handicappers.
Click on a handicapper’s name for more of their NBA plays, subscriptions, season packages and records.
Jack Jones
Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
Sun, Mar 3 ’19, 3:35 PM ET
I love the situation for the Atlanta Hawks today. They are coming off a tough 161-168 triple-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls at home on Friday. Now, they get to play the Bulls again in this home-and-home situation. Betting the team that lost the first game in these home-and-home situations has been a very profitable move over the years.
The reason it’s profitable is because the team that lost the first game is almost always more motivated in the rematch. Atlanta will want revenge from the loss, and they’re playing well enough to get it. They have won three of their last seven games outright while going 5-2 ATS. Plus, they don’t even have to win this game to cover, they just have to stay within 5 points.
Chicago is starting to get a lot of respect from the books after going 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall. I certainly believe this is an ideal spot for the Bulls now to fall flat on their faces having just beaten the Hawks two days ago in dramatic fashion.
Home-court advantage has meant little in this series. In fact, the road team is a perfect 5-0 SU & 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings. Atlanta won its lone trip to Chicago 121-101 back on January 23rd earlier this season. The Bulls are 1-7 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Chicago is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 home games overall. Bet the Hawks Sunday.
Pick: Hawks +5 (-105) at Pinnacle
John Martin
NY Knicks @ LA Clippers
Sun, Mar 3 ’19, 3:35 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers are playing with a chip on their shoulder. Everyone seems to count them out in the playoff race, but here they are currently in the playoffs if the season were to end today.
They have gone 4-2 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall with their only losses coming on the road to Denver and Utah. And now they get to host the tanking New York Knicks, who are coming off an ugly home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Clippers are 22-9 ATS as favorites this season. Los Angeles is 21-8-1 ATS in its last 30 games against a team that wins less than 40% of its games. Give me the Clippers.
Pick: Clippers -9.5 (-105) at Pinnacle
Larry Ness
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Washington Wizards
Sun, Mar 3 ’19, 6:05 PM ET
The Wolves come to the nation’s capital having lost three of their last four games. Karl Anthony Towns continues to lead the team with 23.9 points and 12.4 boards per game, while Derrick Rose is averaging 18.2 points and 4.5 assists per night.
Washington has just one win in six games since the All Star game. Off a loss to the Celtics, I think the home side bounces back here finally though. Keep your eyes on Bradley Beal, who is averaging 25.8 points, 5.1 boards and 5.4 assists per game.
I don’t normally take “ATS stats” into consideration when making my picks, unless they’re completely lop-sided in nature and or completely relevant to the overall situation. And that’s the case here, as note that Minnesota is a terrible 4-11 ATS this season as a road dog of six points or less (also just 15-17 ATS on the road overall.)
I think it’s significant to note as well that Washington enters a money-making 16-11 ATS at home this year.
I think the “hungrier” home side is the correct call in this one. Consider the Wizards on Sunday night.
Good luck…Larry
Pick: Wizards -1.5 (-109) at GTBets
Marc Lawrence
Toronto Raptors @ Detroit Pistons
Sun, Mar 3 ’19, 6:05 PM ET
Edges – Raptors: 0-4 UNDER versus unrested foes … Pistons: 2-12 UNDER home with no rest … Look for defense to rule today.
We recommend a 1* play on the UNDER total in this game.
Thank you and good luck as always.
Pick: UNDER 218.5 (-110)
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