NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Friday, March 1
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The NBA regular season continues with a jam packed 9-game slate this Friday — headlined by a nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN as Mavericks vs Celtics takes center stage in early window, followed by Bucks vs Bulls later in the evening.
Let's dive into our NBA best bets and expert picks for Friday, March 1.
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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Friday, March 1
Hornets vs 76ers
Joel Embiid has missed 14 of the last 15 games for Philadelphia due to a knee injury – and as a result, the 76ers find themselves in free fall as we close the book on February. The Sixers have posted a miserable record of 4-11 in their last 15 games, with their only wins during that span coming over the Jazz, Wizards and Cavaliers (2).
The forecast in Philadelphia doesn’t appear to be clearing up anytime soon either, as Embiid will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, and the Sixers continue to play like one of the worst teams in basketball without him – ranking 23rd in offensive rating and 29th in defensive rating since January 26 – an enormous drop off for a team that ranks top-12 in both categories on the season.
The Sixers have scored 104 points or less in five straight games, while shooting 42% from the field and 34% from three-point range in those contests – which ranks bottom-8 in the NBA in both categories during that span.
With that in mind though, I still wouldn’t fade Charlotte in this matchup. The Hornets are playing their best basketball of the season right now – boasting a solid record of 5-3 in their last eight games, which accounts for one-third of their wins on the season.
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However, it may be smart to fade both offenses at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night. The Hornets have scored less than 100 points in four straight games, and they’ve played to the under in seven straight contests. While similarly, the Sixers have scored 104 points or less in five straight games, which led to the total going under in all five of those affairs.
I believe the low-scoring trends will continue for these two teams tonight. Give me the under.
Pick: Under 214 (-110)
Mavericks vs Celtics
Boston extended its winning streak to nine games with a 117-99 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Celtics did most of their damage on the interior, where they had a 64-42 advantage in points in the paint.
Boston also outrebounded Philadelphia 56-28. Friday's game will be the second meeting between Dallas and Boston this season. The Celtics earned a 119-110 road victory on Jan. 22.
Luka Doncic and the visiting Dallas Mavericks will attempt to end the Boston Celtics' nine-game winning streak.
Doncic, the NBA's leading scorer, celebrated his 25th birthday by collecting 30 points, 16, assists and 11 rebounds during Wednesday's 136-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
But, Doncic is listed as questionable for Friday's game with a sprained left ankle. Take BOSTON!
For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page and our NBA odds!
Bucks vs Bulls
VegasInsider NBA betting expert Brian Bitler is red hot! Brian is 11-4 in his last 15 NBA picks -- returning a profit of +653. Click here to purchase his top play for Bucks vs Bulls tonight.
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