NBA Best Bets: Thursday, March 31st

Thursday night should be a lot of fun around the Association. We’ve got five games to get stuck into, featuring some of the league’s elite talents. Our two best bets for the night’s action are featured below.

NBA Best Bets Thursday, March 31st

• Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks: Bucks to win at 2.09
• Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers: Jazz -12.5 at 19/20

Odds as at 2 pm March 31st 2022. Odds may now differ.

Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks Best Bet

Fri, Apr 1. 00:30 (UK time)

A rematch of last season’s epic playoff series, both teams have plenty to play for heading into this one. Brooklyn is aiming to hold off the Hornets and stay in the top half of the Play-In. Milwaukee is tied with the Heat in the loss column in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

With Brook Lopez healthy, the Bucks have quietly ramped up for the playoffs. They have a +5.4 net rating since the break, winning 11 of 15 in that period. Mike Budenholzer saw his team deliver a statement win over the Sixers last time out, once again led by a gem from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s been up and down for the Nets of late, with losses to the Ja Morant-less Grizzlies and the Hornets in their last four. They still languish in the bottom six in defence since the All-Star break. Their offence is nearly unstoppable when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are available, but this is arguably the most difficult matchup in the league for the two stars. Brooklyn must lean on its offence blowing the Bucks away to win this one.

At the other end, though, it’s hard to envisage the Nets getting enough stops. Milwaukee is joint-second in offence over their last 15. Jrue Holiday is averaging 20 and eight since All-Star. Antetokounmpo is pursuing the scoring title. Khris Middleton is going to get good looks with the defence so focused on Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks have had their blips throughout this season, but the performance against the Sixers was another reminder of the level they can reach when they are dialled in. Motivation will not be an issue here.

Brooklyn is narrowly favoured by the books. Anything is possible with Durant and Irving on the court, but they remain a one-way team. Milwaukee is a dominant force at both ends when it wants to be – they’re a good bet to get the win here.

• Selection: Bucks to win
• Best Odds: 2.09 (Marathonbet)
• Stakes: 8/10

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Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers Best Bet

Fri, Apr 1. 03:00 (UK time)

With LeBron James ruled out with a sprained ankle, the Utah Jazz are favoured by between 11.5 and 12.5 for this one depending on the book. This is despite Utah’s turmoil of late with five straight losses leading to spiky post-game interviews.

The Lakers have a -3.9 net rating in minutes without James this season. Anthony Davis remains doubtful for this game too, and Los Angeles’ numbers are even uglier when both of their stars are out.

Despite what has been a disappointing season, Utah still owns the best offence in the league. This should be an ideal game to end their slump, but it is a severe test of their much-discussed team chemistry. Blowing a lead to the Clippers last time out was a real blow, particularly after their playoff meltdown to the same opponents last season.

While it looks like a routine win for the Jazz, they haven’t exactly flourished in similar matchups this season. Their 13 losses to sub-.500 teams is the most of the West’s top nine. They are just 29-38-1 against the spread as favourites.

These are the two most disappointing teams in the league this season. Los Angeles is just 31-44 against the spread in 2021-22, and only the tanking trio of the Thunder, Blazers and Rockets have lost more games since the All-Star break. The Lakers own a -7.5 net rating in that period.

This might seem like a huge spread in the Jazz’s favour given their performances of late. There’s value in backing Utah here, however. The Lakers are no strangers to blowout losses, having lost five by 18 or more since the break. With no LeBron, it would be a massive surprise if the Lakers even keep this competitive into the fourth quarter.

• Selection: Jazz -12.5
• Best Odds: 1.91 (William Hill)
• Stakes: 9/10

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