NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Thursday, March 7
The NBA regular season continues with a solid seven-game slate this Thursday — headlined by a nationally televised doubleheader on TNT as Heat vs Mavericks tips off the early window at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then Celtics vs Nuggets takes center stage later in the evening at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Read along for our top three NBA best bets and expert picks for Thursday, March 7.
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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Thursday, March 7
Timberwolves vs Pacers
On this Thursday in Indianapolis, we have a very interesting matchup in the NBA as the top-ranked defensive team squares off against the 2nd-ranked offensive team as the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Minnesota owns an eight-game advantage over Indiana in the overall standings. However, the T-Wolves are tagged as short road underdogs in tonight’s matchup with All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined for the foreseeable future after getting diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his knee this morning.
Granted, the T-Wolves will likely take a step back in the absence of Towns. However, Minnesota is still a very good basketball team regardless of his presence – and they may even be better at the defensive end of the floor.
The Timberwolves lead the entire NBA in defensive rating at 108.6. However, that’s certainly no thanks to Towns, who owns an individual defensive rating of 116.5 – which ranks 11th out of the 16 players that have participated in 10+ games for Minnesota this season.
Even without Towns, the T-Wolves shouldn’t have too much trouble generating offense tonight as they face a Pacers squad that ranks 28th in points allowed and 25th in defensive rating – so despite their short-handedness, the largest edge in this matchup still ultimately lies with Minnesota thanks to their heavy advantage at the defensive end.
Pick: Timberwolves ML (+105)
Heat vs Mavericks
by Joe Nelson
Miami has climbed into the top six in the Eastern Conference as the defending conference champions have some positive momentum following an uneven start to the season. Miami is 5-1 since the All-Star break with the only loss coming in a competitive game at Denver in a rematch of last summer's NBA Finals.
The Heat didn't dominate but did just enough on the two-game home stand to get back-to-back wins before this road test in Dallas. The Mavericks have lost five of the past six to halt the momentum the team built in a strong month of February. The defense has struggled, allowing at least 120 points in six consecutive games.
Tyler Herro didn't make the trip, but the Heat have won four of the last five games in his absence. Miami has a 60% ATS record in road games this season with 18 S/U wins, as many wins as Dallas owns at home this season with the Mavericks just 14-19 ATS in Dallas.
The Miami defense has nearly league-leading defensive efficiency numbers in the past few weeks as Erik Spoelstra's team is starting to resemble some of his great defensive units of the past.
Dallas has looked out of sorts in a demanding schedule since the All-Star break and Miami has great appeal as an underdog with the potential to produce significant advantages defensively in this pairing.
For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page and our NBA odds!
Nets vs Pistons
VegasInsider NBA betting expert Bruce Marshall is on fire! Bruce is 24-12 in his last 36 NBA picks -- returning a profit of +1,065. Click here to purchase his top play for Magic vs Hornets tonight.
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