Key Points
- Celtics Favored on Road against Memphis Grizzlies
- Rockets Face Lakers in Game With Playoff Seeding Implications
- Thunder Host Bulls Still Seeking 70 Wins
Only two teams have managed to win as many as 70 games in an NBA season. The Thunder have a chance to make it three, but they can't afford another loss. On Monday, Oklahoma City welcomes the Bulls in one of eight games going on in the league.
The Thunder will be favorites at home against Chicago. But that's not the best BetMGM money line odds we like for Monday. Instead, we have wagers for the Celtics vs Grizzlies, which can be seen nationally on TNT this evening.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BetMGM Sportsbook has hundreds of odds every day for NBA games. You'll also find odds on Major League Baseball, college hoops, and the National Hockey League.
Last week we were 2-for-4 on our Best Daily Picks. A .500 average is great in baseball, but we strive to improve on that percentage this week.
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NBA Picks for Monday, March 31
LA Lakers -8.5 (+154) vs Houston Rockets
Some experts anointed the Lakers as the "Champions in Waiting" when they acquired Luka Dončić in February. Since Luka reported to the Lakers, the team is 17-10.
But while LA has solidified a playoff spot, the team is far from a favorite to win the NBA Finals.
That's because Dončić is sort of like that new gadget you get that fascinates and entertains you...until it's battery drains and you have to recharge it for three hours.
Luka is fragile, LeBron is so old that his first dunk was in black-and-white, and the Lakers still haven't figured out how to have their two superstars co-exist.
On Monday, Houston has a chance to keep the Lakers down
LA is the No. 4 seed, three game behind No. 2 seed...the Rockets. With eight games left on the schedule, a Laker loss would almost seal their fate as a 4 seed, as they trail the Nuggets for the third seed by 1 1/2 games.
The Lakers have lost their last two home games, but LeBron is back and much healthier. We've consulted the alternate spread line for odds at +154 if LA wins by at least nine points.
Celtics -6.5 (+125) vs Memphis Grizzlies
Boston has won by at least 10 points in nine of their last 11 victories. The Celtics are 13-1 in March, with their sole loss coming to the mighty Thunder.
Since January 29, the Celtics are 23-4, with their offense/defense balance fueling that success.
The C's will be favored in each of their final eight games, and tonight should have no troubles with Memphis.
Miami Heat -13.5 (+165) vs Wizards
In 10 of their 33 wins, the Heat have won by a margin of 6-10 points. Miami has beaten Washington by an average of 18 points in their two previous meetings.
The Wizards are not, um...wizards. There is nothing magical about this team.
- PICK:
Heat -13.5 ... This is our Best Bet: a $100 winning wager will win you $265, including your stake.
Orlando Magic +120 Moneyline vs LA Clippers
The Clippers have righted their ship lately. But they're coming off two big road wins: can they really win three straight on the road?
They've only managed that once this season, and haven't accomplished it on the same road trip since October of 2023.
Pacers -6.5 (+115) vs Indiana Pacers
Tonight, the Kings, reeling from a 4-10 skid, face a daunting task against the Pacers in Indianapolis. Their Achilles' heel? A porous three-point defense, a critical vulnerability against a Pacers squad that thrives from beyond the arc.
Indiana boasts a 37.2% team three-point percentage, a testament to their offensive firepower
Tyrese Haliburton, orchestrating the offense, and Pascal Siakam, an active, bouncy power forward, are key threats. Haliburton's playmaking creates open looks, while Siakam's versatility stretches defenses.
The Kings, conversely, are allowing opponents to shoot a concerning percentage from three. This trend is a massive red flag for bettors.
Looking at recent stats, the Kings have consistently struggled to close out on shooters, leading to high-volume, high-efficiency nights for opposing teams.
Expect the Pacers to exploit this weakness
With home-court advantage and a proven three-point arsenal, Indiana is poised to capitalize. Bettors should heavily consider the over on Pacers' team three-pointers and potentially a spread favoring the home team.
The Kings' defensive woes against elite three-point shooting teams make them a risky proposition.
How to Watch NBA Tonight
- Boston Celtics at Memphis Grizzlies, 7:30 PM EDT: TNT, tru, MAX
- Utah at Sacramento, 7 PM EDT: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana; NBCSCA
- LA Clippers at Orlando Magic, 7 PM EDT: FanDuel Sports Network Florida; FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
- Miami Heat at Washington Wizards, 7 PM EDT: MNMT/MNMT2 (Spanish); FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- Boston Celtics at Memphis Grizzlies, 7:30 PM EDT: TNT, tru, MAX
- Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 PM EDT: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma; Chicago Sports Network
- Brooklyn Nets at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 PM EDT: KFAA/WFAA; YES
- Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 PM EDT: TNT, tru, MAX, Spectrum SportsNet
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