NBA Best Bets (March 23): Odds & Picks for Thunder vs. 76ers, Spurs vs. Heat, Rockets vs. Bulls

Since we have a few days off from the NCAA Tournament, it seems like a great time to give the NBA a little attention. With 10 games on the schedule, many of the league’s best teams and players will see action Monday. For those of you looking to get in on the action yourselves, take a look at our NBA Best Bets for the day.

Several teams are hurt, while many others are pushing for a better playoff seed. Some have been eliminated and are just looking to finish the season. Being aware of a team’s circumstances and possible motivation can go a long way toward making the right pick.

(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

All odds used in making my NBA picks for Monday's games can be found at FanDuel.

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NBA Best Bets: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds & Predictions

As of Saturday’s 132-11 win over the Washington Wizards, the Thunder improved to an impressive 56-15 on the season and have won 11 games in a row. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like a guy intent on repeating as NBA MVP. He's scored 40 vs. the Wizards and 35+ in four of his last six games.

With the team ranked inside the top five in the NBA in scoring (118.7 points per game) and defense (107.5 points per game), anyone is going to have a hard time competing with OKC. While they’ve been winning every time they step on the court, the Thunder covered in only two of the 11 games in the win streak.

But in the 10 games this season where they have been 15.5-point favorites, they have gone 8-2 ATS.

As for Philadelphia, the 76ers are a good team when healthy, but they are far from healthy at the moment with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Johnni Broome out with various injuries. However, they have been surprisingly competitive in their last few games, winning four of their last five.

Of those four, three have already been eliminated from the playoffs, and the other is Portland.

My NBA Pick: Thunder -16 (-112)

• Large spreads make me nervous, and it doesn’t help that the Thunder covered in just two of the 11 games during the win streak. Yes, Philly has been relatively well in recent games, but against lackluster teams. OKC is arguably the best team in the league. As long as the Thunder do not decide to suddenly rest players tonight, they’ll cover.

NBA Best Bets: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat Odds & Predictions

San Antonio, much like Oklahoma City, is heating up at the right time. With a 134-119 win over the Indiana Pacers at home Saturday, the Spurs have won five in a row and 21 of their last 23 (11-2 in March). Of course, beating up on the Pacers and Kings is not impressive. But they’ve also got wins against the Celtics, Rockets, and Pistons in that stretch (before Cade Cunningham’s injury).

Victor Wembanyama is quietly making his own case for MVP, averaging 26.6 points. 10.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game in March. The Spurs could be without Devin Vassell tonight as he is listed as a GTD, but Stephon Castle has been taken off the list

Barring a complete meltdown and a sudden surge by the Bucks, Miami has at least secured a spot in the play-in. But at 13.5 games back, they are only a game behind the Hawks for the No. 6 seed. However, the Heat have struggled in recent games, losing four in a row (after winning their previous seven). But the Heat should get a boost tonight with Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. expected to return from injuries.

he Spurs won a competitive game, 107-101, when these two teams met back in October in San Antonio.

My NBA Pick: OVER 244.5 (-110)

• San Antonio is one of the best teams in the NBA and is playing extremely well right now. While the Heat have been streaking in the wrong direction, we should see a different Miami team Monday with Wiggins and Jacquez Jr. returning. I’d pick San Antonio to cover if you want to go with a winner, but Miami is a sneaky-good team and is playing at home (which makes me nervous). However, the OVER is 6-3-1 for San Antonio in its last 10 and 7-2-1 for Miami.

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NBA Best Bets: Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls Odds & Predictions

Houston comes into Monday night's game fresh off a 123-122 win over the Miami Heat at home on Saturday. Kevin Durant led the way with 27 points, followed by Amen Thompson with 24 and Reed Sheppard with 23. But the Rockets had to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and needed a basket by Thompson as time expired to secure the win.

Much like last season, the Rockets have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season (currently fourth at 109.9 points allowed per game). Offense was an issue, hence acquiring Durant. But while it is better, it has been wildly inconsistent all year long.

The Rockets are 5-5 SU in their last 10, but just 3-7 ATS.

As for the Bulls, Chicago has been struggling for much of the season and has lost 10 of its last 14 games (and 20 of its last 25). Injuries have been part of the problem. It will be without Guerschon Yabusele, Jaden Ivey, Isaac Okoro, and Anfernee Simons tonight. However, the Bulls will still have two solid talents on the court in guard Josh Giddey and forward Matas Buzelis.

But they will have a hard time overcoming a relatively healthy Houston roster on their own. It is hard to say who might step up for the Bulls tonight.

My NBA Pick: UNDER 229.5 (-112)

• Houston is the better team and absolutely should win and cover the spread for this game. But the Rockets have been unreliable against the spread. They’ve gone 30-40 ATS this season and 17-18 on the road. However, the OVER is 30-40 for them this season and 4-6 in their last 10. The UNDER is 31-38-1 for Chicago this season, 13-23-1 at home, and 2-8 in Chicago’s last 10.