NBA Best Bets (March 24): Kings vs. Hornets, Pelicans vs. Knicks, Magic vs. Cavaliers Odds & Picks

It is going to be a very quiet day in college basketball with just a couple of NIT games scheduled. At the same time, it’s going to be a quiet one in the NBA as well, with a few games on the docket. We’ve got four NBA games to two NIT contests. So, for today’s Best Bets, let’s stick to the NBA.

(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA season continues to move along, and if you are looking for other hoops betting promotions then we have you covered with a list of the best sports betting offers here.

Let’s get started with the early game, the Sacramento Kings vs. the Charlotte Hornets.

NBA Best Bets (March 24): Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings Odds & Prediction

This one’s an easy decision, right? The Kings (19-53, 6-28 Away) are terrible this season (No. 28 in scoring at 111 points per game and No. 28 in points allowed at 121 per game). Yes, they won when they last played Sunday, but it was against another bad team, the Brooklyn Nets.

Prior to that game, the Kings were crushed by the 76ers (139-118) and Spurs (132-104). Sacramento is 7-7 in its last 14 games, yet all but one of those wins came against another team with a sub-.500 record.

Charlotte (37-34, 17-17 Home) is not in the same category as the Spurs, but the Hornets can be tough to beat when things are going right for them. Heading into Tuesday's game, they’ve won three in a row and 11 of their last 14. The offense has been on a roll the last few games, averaging 130 points per game while the defense has allowed 106 in that span.

Brandon Miller leads the way for the Hornets with 20.4 points per game, followed by LaMelo Ball with 19.7, and rookie of the year favorite, Kon Knueppel, with 19.1. DeMar DeRozan leads the Kings by default with 18.4 points per game (Zach LaVine averaged 19.2 points per game but is out for the season).

My Tuesday NBA Pick: OVER 231.5 (-108) odds via FanDuel

• Charlotte will win this game. There is no reason to think the Kings have a shot at winning (but that doesn’t mean they can’t). However, 17-points is a massive spread. Charlotte is 4-2 ATS in games when favored by double digits, but failed to cover earlier this season vs. Sacramento. The Kings are averaging 115+ points across its last 10 games; Charlotte is averaging 116. If they just keep to those averages, they’ll go OVER this TOTAL, but Charlotte will likely score more while Sacramento scores less. The end result will be the same. Take the OVER.

NBA Best Bets (March 24): New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds & Prediction

The Knicks (47-25, 26-9 Home) have been on a solid run, winning their last six, albeit against easy competition (e.g., Indiana, Utah). They are a half game behind the Celtics for the No. 2 seed, with a top-10 offense and a top-5 defense.

But the Pelicans (25-47, 9-25 Away), while not as competitive as the Knicks this season, have been playing well of late. New Orleans lost to the Cavaliers, 111-106, in its last game, but otherwise won five of its previous six. It averaged 120.6 points per game in those six.

Karl-Antony Towns has been on a tear this month. He has had a double-double in his last four games and in 10 of 11 this month. Jalen Brunson has averaged 23.1 points and 9.1 assists per game this month. Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.8 points per game this month. Zion Williamson is putting up 21.3 points per game.

My Tuesday NBA Pick: Knicks -9 (-110) odds via bet365

• I see New Orleans getting a lot of love because it has been playing better basketball over the last month. But there is still a major talent gap between these two teams, and home-court advantage for the Knicks. The Pelicans will keep it close in the first half, but the Knicks will wear them down and pull away in the second.

Thrillzz

4.8/5

FREE $100K Pick’em Entry 🏀

• Excellent choice of sports.
• Pre-match and live picks.
• Strong community vibe.

400% Extra: Deposit $10 Get $50

Claim Now

NBA Best Bets (March 24): Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic Odds & Prediction

The Magic were looking great just eight days ago as they prepared to face the Hawks in Atlanta on a seven-game winning streak. But then they lost to Atlanta, 124-112, and it's been all downhill since. With a 128-126 loss to the Indiana Pacers last night, they’ve now lost six in a row.

Injuries have been an issue and could impact the game today. Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, and Jalen Suggs are all listed as out. So, they’ll likely need to lean on Paolo Banchero a little more. He leads the team with 22.5 points per game and has scored 30+ in two of his last four contests.

Cleveland comes into Tuesday's game on a three-game win streak with victories in four of its last five games. Jarrett Allen isn’t back in the lineup yet. But the Cavs will have Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and James Harden available.

My Tuesday NBA Pick: Cavaliers -10.5 (-112) odds via Fanatics

• I hesitate to lay so many points here with Jarrett Allen out and Paolo Banchero playing so well lately. Evan Mobley is a solid defender, but I like Banchero to win that matchup. Cleveland has been trending in the right direction while the Magic have been trending hard in the opposite way. There is no reason I can see to believe the Magic will put up much of a fight against the Cavs in Cleveland.