I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the NBA picks I offered in this article last week were a perfect 4-0 and 4-1 the week before that. For the history of this article on the Last Word on Sports, I am a very solid 19-9 (67.9%) ATS (against the spread). Let’s hope I do not embarrass myself this week after blowing my own horn so shamelessly.
There is another full slate of eleven NBA games tonight for fans to enjoy. As always, the opinions provided below are my own and are not of LWOS. I do not offer financial advice. Rather simply share my opinions and NBA Picks on the games I am already betting on myself. Gamble responsibly and enjoy the action.
NBA Picks – March 23rd, 2022
NBA: Pistons (+5.5) Vs Hawks $
The incredible run the Pistons were riding for 14 consecutive games without an ATS loss finally came to an end as big home favourites on Monday night against the Magic. With their current play, the Pistons are almost an ‘average’ team. Realistically, ‘average’ may have to wait until next season for Detroit. I am happy to see Jerami Grant back in the lineup for this game after his monster 40 point game in Cleveland on Saturday.
But let’s be clear about the Hawks. At 36-36 for the season, they are the very definition of average. Despite what appears to be a very talented line-up, they still rank 10th in the eastern conference standings just hanging on to the final play-in spot.
One may look at the 19-53 record of the Pistons and think they should be large underdogs against the Hawks. But I see value here for the home side and this line should be much closer to a pick’em rather than (+5.5).
Pacers (-5.5) Vs Kings $
These two teams pulled off the big trade just before the deadline that saw Domantas Sabonis and Tyrese Haliburton switch uniforms along with several other pieces. Thus far, it is mostly unanimous amongst NBA analysts that the Pacers got the far better end of the deal in that trade.
Both teams are currently working with significant injuries. Despite being listed as questionable for this game, I expect Haliburton to play for the opportunity to shine in front of his old team and mates. Sabonis is out for this game with a knee bruise and did not even make the trip back to Indiana.
These two teams once again look to be headed in opposite directions. The Pacers have shown an ability to score in bunches, so this matchup has blowout potential. With a high total of 236, I do not see this game being close. One team should win by 10 or more and my money is on it being the Pacers.
Grizzlies (+2.5) Vs Nets $
The Grizzlies are home dogs? That’s crazy. “But Kyrie Irving is going to play the road game”, I hear you say. Then someone else yells “But Ja Morant is out with a bum knee”. Yes of course I know all this, but I still think the Grizzlies are the better team.
The Grizzlies are a remarkable 14-2 this season with Morant out of the lineup. The Nets are a mediocre 8-11 with Irving in the lineup. Nothing about those two stats suggests the Nets should be favoured in Memphis.
The Nets are 3-1 with both Irving and Kevin Durant (but not James Harden) in the lineup. Now we are getting into a small sample size that really does not mean much at all. Granted the Nets have been playing better the last couple of weeks. But I am not yet convinced they can find the consistency for the Nets to be serious contenders. There is still hope for Brooklyn to mould together for the playoffs. But that light is much dimmer than it was in the first half of the season. They will still need to survive the play-in tournament to even have a chance at glory.
No other team in the NBA has the bench depth to compare with the Grizzlies. No other team could lose the services of someone as talented as Morant and still be considered an elite team. I’ll take Memphis as home dogs any chance I can.
Timberwolves (+2) Vs Suns $
With just 10 games left in the regular season, the Phoenix has all but wrapped up the home-court advantage. Yet they continue winning while their team captain Chris Paul is still out of the lineup. I wonder when we can expect the Suns to finally let their right foot off the gas pedal and begin resting some players.
Is anyone playing as well as the Timberwolves right now? With wins in 10 of their last 12 games, the Timberwolves look to be peaking at the perfect time. Minnesota sits just one game back of Denver with 10 games to play for the sixth spot in the western.
This pick comes down to a very basic motivation factor. The Timberwolves are focused and highly motivated. The Suns have won their last five games but what is their motivation knowing the remainder of the season really does not matter? This kind of intangible has to be worth a couple of buckets that I do not see reflected in this line.
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NBA Odds provided by Odds Shark. Posted lines are of writing time.
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Legend $ – one unit regular bet, $$ – two unit best bet
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