NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (3/21)
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 (-8.5) vs. Phoenix Suns | O/U 234 (-108/-112)
The Cavaliers are currently the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they haven't played like one recently. They are on their second three-game losing streak but they haven’t lost four in a row yet this season.
Cleveland’s problem is they're struggling to defend the frontcourt. Some point performances they’ve given up recently:
- Paolo Banchero: 24
- Franz Wagner: 22
- Kawahi Leonard: 33
- Ivica Zubac: 28
- DeMar DeRozan: 27
This is a weakness in their game they need to fix.
That could mean a big game for Kevin Durant, who led the team with 23 points in the last matchup. The Suns are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since winning three in a row between January 22nd to January 27th. That's how bad it's been for them in recent weeks. With their talent, they should have been a playoff team, but they are tied for the 10th seed. Injuries have played a big part, as they haven't had their full lineup for most of the season. Bradley Beal will now also miss time with a hamstring injury.
This could be a get-right game for Cleveland, who do not want to lose steam as the playoffs approach. Overall, Phoenix has the smallest lineup the Cavs have seen in recent games. Their perimeter defense is good enough to hold down the Suns.
Pick: Cavaliers -8.5 (-108)
Boston Celtics (-14.5) vs. Utah Jazz | O/U 227 (-112/-108)
The Celtics have clinched a playoff spot and are currently six games out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 13 games left. It will be tough to catch up to the Cavaliers, but not impossible, especially with how they're playing.
Boston will be without one of its top scorers in Jaylen Brown. Still, the best part about this team is its depth. They have rotational players who contribute, especially Payton Pritchard, who is averaging 14 points per game on only 28 minutes a night.
They also don't need everyone on the court against the Jazz. Utah has the second-worst record in the league and is just one of two teams eliminated from playoff contention. You could compare this team to the Pistons from last year - a great group of young talent that might only need some veteran leadership to push them in the right direction. Players like Walker Kessler and Keyonte George could be building blocks for this team's future.
Focusing on today, the Jazz will be missing their top scorers. Keeping up with the Celtics will be difficult.
Pick: Celtics -14.5 (-108)