NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (3/14)
We've got another full slate of exciting NBA matchups. Let's examine two of them and dive into our best bets.
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Friday’s Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers (-2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies | O/U 245.5 (-108/-112)
This could be an exciting game as it pins two of the best offenses in the league.
The Cavaliers are on fire with their second 15-game winning streak of the season. The big reason is that their offense continues to be one of the better units in the league and has been specifically efficient from behind the arc.
Since February 5th, when the winning streak began, they are second in three-pointers made (15.7). You mix that with their aggressiveness to draw fouls at 20.8 free-throw attempts per game (second). That's how they have scored the second-most points per game in that 15-game winning streak (124).
The Grizzlies’ tactic is to move the ball as fast as possible. They come into this game with the most possession per game (104.1), and that's thanks to being third in offensive possession length (13.5). It's working for them, as they are just 0.1 points behind Cleveland for second in points per game this season (102.9).
The good news for Memphis is that they could be getting their points leader back. Jaren Jackson Jr. will be a game-time decision after missing five games with an ankle injury.
The Grizzlies might get one of their stars back while the Cavs will be without Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell played a big role in the last game between these two teams, scoring 33 points, as Memphis played them close. This could help the Grizzlies get the win and break the Cavaliers’ winning streak.
Pick: Grizzlies +2 (-108)
Boston Celtics (-8) vs. Miami Heat | O/U 214.5 (-108/-112)
The Celtics have played stellar basketball, winning 11 of their last 14. The concern is who those losses came against. They recently lost to Cleveland, Detroit and Oklahoma City, three teams they could see in the postseason. That's sometimes the problem when you're a volume-shooting team - if you're off, it makes it tough, especially when they take as many threes as they do. They can still rely on that defense, which is sixth in adjusted defensive rating (110.6).
The Heat are entering a transitional period as they are no longer a championship-caliber team. Jimmy Butler’s trade ended the era of a team that made it to the NBA Finals, and the Heat could be sending away more pieces in the offseason. They are currently on a five-game skid, failing to score 110 points in each loss.
Boston has blown out Miami in both games they’ve played this season, winning both by at least 18 points. The Celtics have the defensive abilities to contain a Heat offense that has not looked efficient.
Pick: Celtics -8 (-110)